(1) When an applicant applies for employment assistance, the Department of Human Services shall determine whether the applicant is eligible to be diverted from receiving employment assistance. That determination shall be based on an assessment conducted in conformity with rules promulgated by the department.
(2) The department shall determine eligibility for diversion from assistance by considering whether but for the diversion from assistance the applicant would receive employment assistance. If the department determines that the applicant is eligible for diversion from assistance and the recipient agrees to the diversion, the department may provide a single loan payment of up to the amount of financial assistance that the applicant could receive during three (3) months if not diverted.
(3) An applicant may receive diversion loan assistance only one (1) time. Receipt of diversion loan assistance shall be accompanied by a written declaration by the recipient electing to forego transitional employment assistance financial assistance for one hundred (100) days as a condition of receiving the diversion loan assistance.
(4) A diversion from assistance is in lieu of other services described in this chapter.