Section 26-2-706.6 - Payments and services under Colorado works - rules(1) Subject to the provisions of federal law, rules promulgated by the state board pursuant to this section, and available appropriations, the payment types and services specified in this section are available to participants in the Colorado works program.(2)Ongoing assistance payment. An assistance unit that applies and is eligible for ongoing assistance shall, unless voluntarily and knowingly refused, receive cash assistance, which is a recurrent cash payment. In addition to a cash payment, an eligible assistance unit may also receive cash assistance in the form of a cash-equivalent payment, voucher, or other form of cash benefit that is designed to meet the basic ongoing needs of the persons in the assistance unit. Basic ongoing needs shall consist of food, clothing, shelter, utilities, household goods, personal care items, and general incidental expenses. In addition to cash assistance, persons in an assistance unit that is eligible for ongoing assistance may receive supportive services as described in this section.(3)Short-term assistance payment. A participant may choose to receive a short-term assistance payment, formerly referred to as a diversion payment, which is a nonrecurrent, needs-based, cash or cash-equivalent payment designed to meet the short-term needs of the participant. A short-term assistance payment is designed to address a specific crisis situation or episode of need and is not designed to meet the basic ongoing needs of the participant. A short-term assistance payment may not extend beyond four months. In addition to a short-term assistance payment, a participant who is eligible for short-term assistance may receive supportive services as described in subsection (4) of this section. Short-term assistance payments include the following types: (a) A standard short-term assistance payment, formerly referred to as a state diversion payment, is a nonrecurrent, needs-based, cash or cash-equivalent payment made to a participant who is eligible for short-term assistance.(b) An expanded short-term assistance payment, formerly referred to as a county diversion payment, is a nonrecurrent, needs-based, cash or cash-equivalent payment made to a participant who is eligible for assistance pursuant to the maximum eligibility criteria for nonrecurrent, short-term benefits established in the state plan pursuant to section 26-2-712 (1), in the county-defined expanded eligibility based on federal poverty and other standardized guidelines, and in county policies.(4)Supportive services.(a) An eligible participant may receive supportive services, including but not limited to: (I) Work subsidies such as payments to employers or third parties to help cover the costs of employee wages, benefits, supervision, and training;(II) Supportive services such as child care and transportation provided to families who are employed;(III) Refundable earned income tax credits;(IV) Contributions to, and distributions from, individual development accounts;(V) Services such as counseling, case management, peer support, child care information and referral, transitional services, job retention, job advancement, and other employment-related services that do not provide basic income support; and(VI) Transportation benefits provided under a job access or reverse commute project to an individual who is not otherwise receiving assistance.(b) A county may provide supportive services directly to an eligible participant or through a contract or memorandum of understanding between the county department and another agency, including but not limited to another county department or a community provider.(c) The state board shall promulgate rules pursuant to which a county shall provide referrals for available supportive services to persons who apply for assistance and to participants who are homeless or in need of mental health services or substance abuse counseling or services. The rules shall not obligate the county to pay for any supportive services to which a person who applies for ongoing assistance or short-term assistance or a participant is referred.(5)Individual development accounts. A county department may make available opportunities for participants to have individual development accounts for home purchase, business capitalization, or higher education in accordance with federal law.(6)Child care assistance. Subject to available appropriations and pursuant to rules promulgated by the executive director of the department of early childhood, a county may provide child care assistance to a participant pursuant to the provisions of part 1 of article 4 of title 26.5 and rules promulgated by the executive director of the department of early childhood for implementation of said part 1.(7)Substance abuse control program. A county may elect to implement a Colorado works controlled substance abuse control program. Under such a program, if the use of a controlled substance prevents the participant from successfully participating in his or her work activity, the county department may require the participant to participate in a controlled substance abuse control program based in whole or in part upon a representation by the participant that he or she is using controlled substances or upon a finding by the county department pursuant to an assessment by a certified substance use disorder treatment provider that the participant is or is likely to be using controlled substances. If a county chooses to require the participant to participate in a controlled substance abuse control program, the county department shall: (a) Require the participant to be assessed by a certified substance use disorder treatment provider and to follow a rehabilitation plan as a condition of continued receipt of assistance under the works program. The rehabilitation plan must be based upon the assessment and developed by a certified substance use disorder treatment provider, and may include, but need not be limited to, participation in a substance use disorder treatment program. This subsection (7)(a) does not create an entitlement to rehabilitation services or to payment for rehabilitation services.(b) If required by the rehabilitation plan, conduct random testing of the participant to determine whether he or she is remaining free of controlled substances; and(c) Impose on the participant any applicable adverse action for nonparticipation in a work activity if the participant fails to follow the rehabilitation plan, which nonparticipation may be evidenced by having a positive result on a random test or refusing to participate in a random test pursuant to this subsection (7). A county may not take adverse action against a participant for failing to meet the requirements of the rehabilitation plan if the services required under the plan are not available, if transportation or child care is not available, or if the costs of the services are prohibitive.(8)Job skills education voucher. A county department may provide a voucher created pursuant to the provisions of section 26-2-712 (11) to a participant for use at one of the community or technical colleges administered pursuant to the provisions of article 60 of title 23, C.R.S., for the purpose of securing short-term educational and academic skills training and job placement services.Amended by 2022 Ch. 123, § 94, eff. 7/1/2022.Amended by 2017 Ch. 271, § 1, eff. 8/9/2017.Amended by 2017 Ch. 263, § 221, eff. 5/25/2017.L. 2008: Entire section added, p. 1954, § 6, effective 1/1/2009. L. 2017: IP(7) and (7)(a) amended, (SB 17-242), ch. 263, p. 1334, § 221, effective May 25; (9) added, (SB 17-292), ch. 271, p. 1493, § 1, effective August 9.Subsection (9)(g) provided for the repeal of subsection (9), effective September 1, 2021. (See L. 2017, p. 1493.)
For the legislative declaration in SB 17-242, see section 1 of chapter 263, Session Laws of Colorado 2017.