Relocation Assistance

1
Relocation Assistance

• Agency for Workforce Innovation
• Statewide Training
• Spring 2005

2
Relocation Basics

• Available to TCA applicants or recipients
• May relocate to another area in the state or may
  relocate out of state
• If approved for a reason other than domestic
  violence, the family cannot reapply for TCA for
  at least 6 months
• Reapplication for TCA is allowed in emergency
  situations

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Relocation Basics (Continued)

• Relocated individuals are eligible for up to 2
  years of transitional childcare if employment is
  secured within a specified period of time
• A family may relocate more than once
• The relocation payment does not count toward
  time-limits
• There is no specified dollar amount
• Maximum amounts should be included in the Local
  Operating Procedures

4
Eligibility Requirements

• The family must demonstrate a need to
  relocate
• The family must demonstrate a contributing factor
  to achieving self-sufficiency
• The family must be eligible for TCA (applicant)
  or receiving TCA (recipient)
• The family must not have exhausted their lifetime
  limit on TCA
• If the family has met their lifetime limit on
  TCA, the RWB may fund the relocation with local
  RWB TANF dollars

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Demonstration of Need

• The individual
• Is located in an area with limited employment
  opportunities
• Is geographically isolated
• Has formidable transportation barriers
• Is isolated from their extended family
• Has experienced domestic violence which
  interferes with the ability of a parent to
  maintain self-sufficiency

6
Contributing Factors

• The individual
• Is unlikely to achieve economic self-sufficiency
  in the current community
• Has secured a job that provides an increased
  salary or improved benefits and requires
  relocation to another community
• Has a family support network that will contribute
  to job retention in another community
• Is determined to be a victim of domestic violence
  who would experience a reduced probability of
  further incidents through relocation or
• Must relocate to receive education or training
  that is directly related to the applicants
  employment or career advancement

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Step 1

• Determine that the family is receiving Temporary
  Cash Assistance
• OR
• Determine the family is potentially eligible for
  TCA and requirements for diversion would likely
  be met
• The RWB provider and the individual requesting
  Relocation Assistance should begin by completing
  the Relocation Assistance Checklist

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Step 2

• Determine there is a need for the family to
  relocate to a new community
• Determine there is a basis for believing that the
  relocation to a new community will contribute to
  the familys ability to achieve self-sufficiency
• Ensure the need and contributing factor has been
  verified or documented as appropriate based on
  LOP

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Step 3

• Establish a relocation plan that includes
• A relocation budget based on the Relocation
  Budget Worksheet (AWI-0002)
• Estimates for relocation expenses
• Estimates for employment related expenses
• Documentation from the individual to ensure
  relocation funds will be expended properly and
  the relocation will take place
• Assurance the relocation will be successful
  without relying on TCA to meet on-going expenses
• Provisions to protect the safety of victims of
  domestic violence and avoid provisions that place
  them in anticipated danger

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Step 4

• Determine that the receiving community has the
  capacity to provide needed services and
  employment opportunities
• If the family is planning to relocate within the
  state, contact the local One-Stop Career Center
  in the receiving community
• If out of state, use directory assistance and the
  Internet to locate the family assistance and
  employment services in the receiving community

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Step 5

• Monitor the familys relocation
• Administer a survey within 90 days after
  providing a Relocation Assistance payment or
  services to the family

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Emergency Reapplication

• Families receiving relocation assistance for
  reasons other than Domestic Violence cannot
  receive TCA for six months, unless a qualified
  emergency is approved by the RWB

13
Emergency Situations

• Verify the family has a qualified emergency
• Examples include
• Domestic Violence
• Hospitalization or illness resulting in a
  significant loss o income or employment
• Loss of housing
• Natural disaster responsible for the destruction
  of the familys major property
• Other situations of similar nature affecting
  employment

14
Emergency Reapplication

• The RWB is responsible for completing the
  Diversion Services Emergency Criteria form, AWI
  0001
• The completed form must be forwarded to DCF to
  approve or deny the TCA application

15
Repayment

• Relocation Assistance must be repaid if the
  family is approved for TCA due to an emergency
  within 6 months of receiving the Relocation
  Assistance payment
• EXCEPTION If the family received Relocation
  Assistance as a result of domestic violence, the
  family may immediately reapply for TCA once
  relocated

16
Repayment

• If the family fails to relocate, the entire
  amount of the relocation assistance received must
  be repaid
• If fraud is suspected the RWB provider must
  notify DCF to initiate an investigation

17
Repayment

• Repayment is prorated and subtracted from the
  regular payment of TCA
• DCF is responsible for recovering the Relocation
  Assistance amount
• Recoupment calculation
• Amount of relocation assistance - months off cash
  X payment standard repayment amount
• Repayment amount is divided by the number of
  months left on the individuals time clock to
  determine the amount to be recouped each month

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Questions on Relocation?
An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary
aids and services are available upon request to
individuals with disabilities. All voice
telephone numbers on this document may be reached
by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the
Florida Relay Service at 711.