# Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-109: Diversion grants

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-109

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-109
- **Heading:** Diversion grants
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 71 / Chapter 3 / Section 71-3-109

## Text

(a) Except for a child-only grant for temporary assistance, the department shall evaluate appropriate cases to determine if a diversion grant would be effective in meeting a family's immediate and compelling need and prevent the family from going on temporary assistance or to assist the family in leaving temporary assistance. The diversion grant shall be awarded pursuant to the requirements in subsections (b) and (c) and the rules of the department. (b) The diversion grant: (1) Shall meet immediate needs so that an applicant or recipient can avoid temporary cash assistance; (2) May be granted as the department considers appropriate; (3) May not cover the same type of immediate need met by a previous diversion grant unless the department determines that the current immediate need is a new and verified emergency; (4) May range from one (1) to twelve (12) months of temporary cash assistance, dependent upon the department's determination that there is a compelling need for a diversion grant; (5) Shall be calculated based upon the amount of temporary cash assistance an applicant is eligible to receive under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Families First program; and (6) May not duplicate periods of temporary cash assistance. (c) The applicant's temporary assistance eligibility period will be reduced by the number of months the applicant receives a diversion grant. Added by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 787,s 1, eff. 7/1/2015.
(a) Except for a child-only grant for temporary assistance, the department shall evaluate appropriate cases to determine if a diversion grant would be effective in meeting a family's immediate and compelling need and prevent the family from going on temporary assistance or to assist the family in leaving temporary assistance. The diversion grant shall be awarded pursuant to the requirements in subsections (b) and (c) and the rules of the department.
(b) The diversion grant: (1) Shall meet immediate needs so that an applicant or recipient can avoid temporary cash assistance; (2) May be granted as the department considers appropriate; (3) May not cover the same type of immediate need met by a previous diversion grant unless the department determines that the current immediate need is a new and verified emergency; (4) May range from one (1) to twelve (12) months of temporary cash assistance, dependent upon the department's determination that there is a compelling need for a diversion grant; (5) Shall be calculated based upon the amount of temporary cash assistance an applicant is eligible to receive under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Families First program; and (6) May not duplicate periods of temporary cash assistance.
(1) Shall meet immediate needs so that an applicant or recipient can avoid temporary cash assistance;
(2) May be granted as the department considers appropriate;
(3) May not cover the same type of immediate need met by a previous diversion grant unless the department determines that the current immediate need is a new and verified emergency;
(4) May range from one (1) to twelve (12) months of temporary cash assistance, dependent upon the department's determination that there is a compelling need for a diversion grant;
(5) Shall be calculated based upon the amount of temporary cash assistance an applicant is eligible to receive under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Families First program; and
(6) May not duplicate periods of temporary cash assistance.
(c) The applicant's temporary assistance eligibility period will be reduced by the number of months the applicant receives a diversion grant.
Added by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 787,s 1, eff. 7/1/2015.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-101 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-102 Program subject to availability of federal funds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-103 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-104 Eligibility for temporary assistance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-105 Rules and regulations - Deductions - Reports to governor and general assembly - Miscellaneous provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-106 Reserved](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-107 Administration and organization - Rulemaking - Notice - Cooperation and review of rules by state entities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-108 Modifications to program - Federal waivers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-109 Diversion grants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-110 Distribution system](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-111 Training and supervision](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-115 Investment of funds in individual development or other accounts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-115.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-116 Veterans education benefits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-116.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-117 Amendment of provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-117.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T71_C3_S71-3-109. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.