The Mississippi Department of Human Services issued the following information about its TANF public assistance guidelines.

The TANF Diversion Program provides a one time payment to assist low income working families that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. To qualify families must:

• Have lived in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson or Pearl River Counties at the time of the disaster or in select counties/parishes in Alabama and Louisiana.

• Currently reside in Mississippi and have a dependent child(ren) under 18 years of age.

• Have income which cannot exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and cash assets no greater than $3000.

An adult(s) in the family must also meet one of the following eligibility criteria.

• Currently employed and working a minimum of 25 hours per week at or above minimum wage

• Job offer with start date within 14 days from date of application working at least 25 hours per week at minimum wage

• Currently enrolled in a short term job skills training program

Ineligible families include those that are current recipients of TANF Cash Assistance, TANF Transitional Transportation and/or TANF Transitional Child Care. Applicants must apply at the Department of Human Services office in the county where they are currently living. Applications will be accepted starting December 5, Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Documentation will be required at the time of application.

For more information, please call 1-866-449-9488.