Public Benefits

An Overview

Where? Illinois Department of Human

Services Approx. 24 offices in Cook County Office based on Zip Code

Can locate office from IDHS web page http://www.dhs.state.il.us/

Applications Applications Must Be Taken The Same

Day Client Requests Services Only a signature required One application is for all programs

Applicants Are Given A Return Date For Eligibility Appointment and to Bring Back Documents

Individuals Must Be Screened For Emergency Food Stamps on the Day They Apply

How Are Benefits Accessed? Link Card

For Cash and Food Stamps Works like a debit card Use at ATM’s or certain grocery stores Fees for use at ATM’s

2 free withdrawals and 2 free balance inquiries per month

Accounts become stale after 90 days of inactivity Medical Card

Mailed each month

What are we talking about?

Food StampsCash

Medical Childcare

Child Support

Food Stamps Almost everyone qualifies – just need to be poor

Some citizenship rules apply Only program with emergency benefits No address necessary People who prepare and purchase food together are

considered one Food Stamp household. Spouses must always be together. If you live with your parents, must be included until

age 22. Under 18 must be included with the adult you live

with. Work Program “Earnfare” For Adults Without Children

in Their Care

Expedited Food Stamps Only have to prove identity and:

Income and liquid assets less than rent and utilities or

Income less than $100 and liquid assets less than $150 for month of application

5 calendar days for expedited benefits

Cash Temporary Assistance To Needy Families

“TANF” For families with related children 18 and

under Pregnant Women

Eligible as soon as pregnancy confirmed

General Assistance Families who are guardians Individuals without children

Aid to Aged,Blind, and Disabled

Medical Medicaid

KidCare FamilyCare

Transitional Assistance Medical

Other General Eligibility Requirements Verification of Income, Resources,

Living Expenses Caseworkers Must Assist for Third-

party Verifications Cooperation with Child Support

Domestic Violence, Rape, Incest Exceptions

No Knowledge Exception

Single Adults In Chicago Can Get Transitional Assistance Cash Benefits $100 a month

And a TA medical card Covers many prescription drugs

Age 55 or over with little earnings Prescribed medication for seizures, high blood pressure, or

diabetes Under age 20 and full- time in high school or vocational school Homeless within past 6 months Temporarily ill Caring for someone who lives with you and needs full -time

care due to a medical condition. Applicants for SSI may qualify for P-3

$100 plus Medicaid card

Transitional Assistance Medical

Covers prescription medications Does not cover hospital services Covers physician services – not

provided at a hospital P-3 TA receives regular Medicaid

GA Family Legal guardians and their children Same grant level as TANF

TA medical card for adult Medicaid for the child

Special Rules for TANF Job Search while application pending Responsibility and Services Plan (RASP) Work and Training Requirements 60-month Lifetime Limit Family Cap Teen Live with Relative Requirement SSI recipients excluded from the TANF

unit

Special Populations Limited English Proficiency

Must offer interpreter or use language line.

Should not use family member

Teen Parents Can apply for anything Parent’s income will be needed for TANF if

under 18 or Food Stamps if under 22. Assigned to Teen Parent Liaison

Job Search For Applicants Must assess for barriers Must offer childcare and

transportation referral Front Door Partners

Responsibility And Services Plan Comprehensive Outlines Tasks Must Be Signed Should Be Given Copy Can Be Appealed

Work and Training Requirements 30 hours per week (35 for two-parent

households) 2/3 of Earnings Disregarded

Vocational School, GED, or Post-Secondary education can be acceptable alternative

Most people enrolled in Work First Pay-for-performance (Cash and Food Stamps

added together and divided by minimum wage) Supportive Services Provided

Transportation funds, childcare payments

Barriers for TANF Job Program Requirements Disability Child under age 1 Caring for someone with

disabilities If not spouse or child, must apply to

DORS or DOA Domestic Violence

60 Month Life-Time Limit Applies to any month an adult (age

18 or over) receives TANF. When the adult reaches 60

months, the adult and his/her children are ineligible for TANF if they reside together. Family still eligible for Food Stamps

and medical

Stopping The 60 Month Clock Work 30 hours or more per week

(35 if couple) Approved degree program Caring for disabled child or spouse Domestic Violence exclusion

Extending The 60 Month Clock SSI application pending and probably

eligible Medical condition makes client unable to

engage in 30 hours per week of work Intensive Program Involvement

Domestic violence, homeless services, substance abuse, mental health

Approved Education and Training program Must be expected to complete within 6 months

Disabled Spouse or Child

Family Cap TANF benefits do not increase if

another child is born to a family already receiving TANF

As of January 1, 2004, cap will not apply to additional children born

Current children can remain capped until no later than July 1, 2007

Teen Live With Relative Requirement Teen Parents or pregnant (under 18)

must live with relative Exceptions exist

Health and safety, parent refuses to allow the child to remain, parent abuses drugs, teen has been out of home for year

New statute allows 6 month grace period.

Sanctions Cash Benefits Only For Work Program Violations and Child

Support Non-Cooperation Reconciliation Must be Offered

Can demonstrate ‘good cause’ or agree to cooperate

Progressive Level 1: 50% of entire grant until cooperate Level 2: 50% for 3 months must cooperate Level 3: 100% for 3 months must cooperate

Terminations Missed Redetermination

Appointment or Failed to Return Form

Missed Special Appointment Unable To Locate Client WorkFirst Noncooperation

Cash only Called a SWAP

Crisis Assistance Available to TANF families and TANF eligible families

Processed in 5 days, including TANF application. Your family is being evicted for any reason,

Voucher up to $250 You are homeless because of fire, flood or other natural

disaster, You have been forced to move because your landlord

failed to provide essential services such as heat, You had to leave your home because of physical abuse

by a person who still occupies the home, You need furniture, clothing, and/or household supplies

due to fire, flood, or other natural disaster, Your family is deprived food or needed clothing because

of lost or stolen cash.

Child Support for Non-Custodial Parents Order must be modified if income

changes Contact DCSE

312-793-7987

Child Support Recipients of TANF get $50 pass

through if support is paid. State keeps the rest.

If current support plus $50 is more than the TANF grant, TANF stopped and child support is paid directly.

AABD Benefits For Some Disabled Individuals Must be receiving SSI or not eligible for

SSI due to income must be disabled or age 65 or older

Immigrant found not disabled by the Social Security Administration must be 65 or older and a Legal Permanent Resident who was legally

residing in the U.S. on 8/22/96 Needs based

General Rules

One Application at IDHS Covers All Programs

Time Lines Cash, Medical

45 days 60 days for disability determination

Food Stamps 30 days Emergency Food Stamps 5 calendar

days

Disputes Appeals

Actions or Inactions with the case 800-435-0774 60 days cash or medical 90 days Food Stamps Appeals filed on or before “Date of Change” keep the status

quo. Can reapply while appeal pending

Judicial Review 35 days for cash and medical 6 months for Food Stamps

Grievances Treatment by an IDHS employee

Hearings for both held at the local office

Overpayments - Cash Cash

Recoupment – 10% usually Tax intercepts Administrative garnishment of state

employees' salaries

Food Stamp Overpayments Food Stamps

Administrative Error or Inadvertent Error 10% recoupment

Intentional Program Violation Administrative Disqualification Hearing required or

waiver. 20 % recoupment 12 month disqualification for first violation, 24 months

for second violation, permanent disqualification for third violation

Offset of other benefits SSI exempt $9000 exempt annually

Overpayments Continued Court Suits

fraud penalties double recovery permanent bar if two fraud findings. 10 year TANF bar if convicted of welfare

fraud involving simultaneous receipt of benefits in more than one state.

Don’t forget bankruptcy as a possible remedy.

Welfare Reform Created Two Distinctions Among Immigrants

Immigrants Who Arrived (either legally or illegally) on or before 8/22/96

Immigrants Who Arrived After 8/22/96

Qualified Immigrants Refugees, asylees, and those whose

deportation is being withheld. Lawfully present active duty members

of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses and dependent children.

Lawfully present veterans with an honorable discharge and their spouses and dependent children.

Legal Permanent Residents

Qualified Immigrants Who Arrived on or Before 8/22/96 Eligible For

All programs from Illinois Department of Human Services Cash, Medicaid, Food Stamps

Qualified Immigrants Who Arrive After 8/22/96 Distinction between LPRs and other

Qualified Immigrants Other Qualified Immigrants Eligible For

Cash, Medical, Food Stamps Refugees, asylees, and those whose deportation

is being withheld. Lawfully present active duty members of the

U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses and dependent children.

Lawfully present veterans with an honorable discharge and their spouses and dependent children.

LPR’s Who Arrive After 8/22/96 5 year bar on cash, medical, Food

Stamps Exception for:

Under 19 eligible for Kidcare and Food Stamps.

Disabled or blind eligible for Food Stamps. Individuals who can be credited with 40

quarters eligible for Food Stamps.

Special Eligibility For Certain Abused Noncitizens LPR or Petition for Status Pending Spouse, widow, or child of U.S. Citizen or LPR Abused by that person or relative that lives

with the person Needs the Assistance No longer lives with the person or plans to

separate within a month of receiving assistance

Citizenship requirements for Cash, Food Stamps, and Medical waived

Any Client Who Works, Attends High School, GED or ESL Classes, or VocationalTraining is Eligible for Child Care

Clients who attend college while working or volunteering (as part of their education program) are also eligible for child care.

Clients do not apply at IDHS, apply through the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (877) 202-4453

Can also get help with finding child care. Most clients will have a copay. Often relatives can receive payments for

providing care.

Medical Assistance For Children Children under age 19 are eligible for

medical assistance if the household income is at or below 185% of the poverty level.

Parents whose have health insurance for their children may be eligible for a rebate of part of their health insurance premium payments.

Apply at IDHS Some public health clinics and community

organizations are also application agents.

Emergency Medical Care Available to anyone

Regardless of Citizenship Still must meet a category of medical

coverage Parent with child Child Disabled 65 or over

Pregnant Women, Regardless of their Immigration Status, are Eligible For Medicaid.

Hotline A free service of the Legal

Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago

Serves Cook County Residents 1-888-8Welfare (893-5327)