Public Benefits

1. Public Benefits An Overview Fall 2009

2. What are we talking about? Cash Medical Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - Food Stamps) Child Care Assistance

3. Other Benefits • Women, Infants and Children (WIC) • Child Care Assistance • Circuit Breaker

4. Cash • Temporary Assistance To Needy Families “TANF” PM I-02-01 • For families with related children 18 and under (19 if in high school) • Limited Emergency Provisions • Pregnant Women • Eligible as soon as pregnancy confirmed • Transitional (General) Assistance PM I-02-04-b • Chicago at IDHS – Suburbs through Townships • Guardians with minor children • Certain individuals without children • Aid to Aged, Blind, and Disabled PM I-02-02

5. Medical • Medicaid PM I-03-00 • All Kids • FamilyCare • Disabled and Elderly • QMB/SLIB/QI-1 (Medicare Premium Payments) PM I-04-00 • Limited Coverage for GA (no hospitalization)

6. SNAP/Food Stamps • Do not have to fit any other category - just poor • Provision for emergency benefits PM -02-08-00 • People who prepare and purchase food together are considered one Food Stamp household. PM 04-05-02 • 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. PM 04-05-03 • Work Program For Single Healthy Adults

7. Expedited Food Stamps PM 02-08-00 • Only have to prove identity (photo ID) 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 PM 02-08-01 • 5 calendar days for expedited benefits PM 02-08-02b

8. WIC • Helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children receive: -Special checks to buy healthy foods - like milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans or peas, and peanut butter -Information about nutrition and health to help you and your family eat well and be healthy -Information and help about breastfeeding -Help in finding health care and other services in your area

9. DAY CARE ASSISTANCEChild Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) • A Subsidy is available for low income families who need it to: - Work - Education or Training - Participate in TANF work activities PM 21-05-01; PM 06-16-00 and PM 21-05-01 For Cook County: Illinois Action for Children (312) 823-1100

10. CIRCUIT BREAKER IL Dept. of Revenue • For Aged and Disabled • Free public transit rides • Property tax and rent grants • License plate discount • Prescription drug help • www.state.il.us/aging Form IL-1363

11. How Are Benefits Accessed? • Cash/Food Stamps LINK card mailed after approval PM 22-01-01-b - LINK Card works like a debit card at ATMs (cash benefits) PM 22-01-01-h - Accounts are expunged after 1 year of inactivity - Use at participating grocery stores • Medical card mailed each month • Child care checks mailed to provider

12. Where? • Illinois Department of Human Services • Approx. 20 offices in Cook County • Office based on Zip Code • Can locate office from IDHS web page • http://www.dhs.state.il.us/ • Policy Manual available at website • Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies • (CCR&RA) • WIC offices found at IDHS website

13. Applications at IDHS • Applications Must Be Taken The Same Day Client Requests Services PM 02-04-01 and 02 • Applicants Are Given A Return Date For Eligibility Appointment • Individuals Must Be Screened For Emergency Food Stamps PM 02-08-00

14. Online Applications PM 02-04-04 • Apply online for: • Cash, Food Stamps and Medical • All Kids • Circuit Breaker • Day Care Assistance

15. Other General Eligibility Requirements • Verification of Income, Resources, Living Expenses, Citizenship PM 02-07-03 • Cooperation with Child Support PM 24-02-00 • Domestic Violence, Rape, Incest Exceptions • Limited Knowledge Statement

16. Special Rules for TANF • Job Search while application pending PM 21-01-01 (unless exempt PM 21-01-04) • Responsibility and Services Plan (RASP) • Work and Training Requirements PM 03-13-00 • 60 month Lifetime Limit PM 03-06-00 • Family Cap (no cap for children born on 01/01/04 or later)(all children uncapped 07/01/07) MR 07.09 • Minor Parent Live with Relative Requirement PM 14-06-00 • SSI recipients excluded from the TANF unit PM 04-01-02-a

17. Job Search For TANF Applicants • Must assess for barriers PM 21-01-04 • Must offer child care and transportation referral PM 21-05-00 • Front Door Partners

18. Responsibility And Services Plan • Comprehensive Adult PM 02-09-00 Teen Parent PM 14-08-00 • Outlines Tasks • Must Be Signed Even if Disagree • Should Be Given Copy • Can Be Appealed

19. Work and Training RequirementsPM 21-02-00(new rules possible July 2010) • 30 hours per week (35 for two-parent households) PM 21-01-01-a • 2/3 of Earnings Disregarded for current recipients • Vocational School, GED, or Post-Secondary education can be acceptable alternative PM 21-03-00 • Work First - Pay-for-performance (Cash and Food Stamps added together and divided by minimum wage) • Job and Self-Sufficiency Activities • Supportive Services(Transportation, child-care) PM 21-05-00

20. Exemptions/Barriers for TANF Work Requirements • Disability (short or long term) PM 21-01-04-a • Child under age 1 PM 21-01-03-a • Caring for disabled spouse/minor child PM 21-01-04-c • If not spouse or minor child, must apply to DORS or DOA • Domestic Violence PM 21-01-05

21. 60 Month Life Time Limit • Effective July 1997 PM 03-06-03 • Applies to any month an adult (age 18 or over) receives TANF • Exceptions and extensions PM 03-06-05 • When the adult reaches 60 months, the adult and his/her children are ineligible for TANF if they reside together. PM 03-06-04 • Family still eligible for Food Stamps and Medical

22. Stopping The 60 Month Clock • Work 30 hours or more per week (35 if couple) PM 03-06-01 • Approved degree program PM 03-06-01-a • Caring for disabled child or spouse PM 03-06-01-f • Domestic Violence exclusion PM 03-06-01-h These are current rules – must apply rule in effect at the time month is counted

23. Extending The 60 Month ClockPM 03-06-05-a • Represented by attorney in pending SSI case • 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 Minor Child

24. Family Cap Manual Release 07.09 (6/8/07) • From 10/06 through 12/03, TANF benefits did not increase if another child is born to a family already receiving TANF • All children uncapped on 7/1/07 • Child support was retained by the state for these “capped” children • State will now return the retained child support if requested by the parent

25. Teen Live With Relative Requirement • Teen Parents or pregnant (under 18) must live with relative PM 14-06-00 • Exceptions exist PM 14-06-02 • Health and safety, parent refuses to allow the child to remain, parent abuses drugs, teen has been out of home for year • 6 month grace period PM 14-06-03

26. Sanctions • Cash & Food Stamps Sanctioned for Work Program Violations PM 03-13-05 and 07 • Cash & Medical Sanctioned for Child Support Violations PM 24-04-00 • School Attendance Initiative PM 03-22-00 • Reconciliation Must be Offered PM 03-13-04 and 24-04-03 • Progressive PM 03-13-05-a and 07 • Level 1: 50% of entire grant until cooperate • Level 2: 50% for 3 months must cooperate • Level 3: 100% for 3 months must cooperate • No cooperation leads to case closing

27. Terminations • Missed Redetermination Appointment or Failed to Return Form - Restore assistance if cooperate within 10 days PM 19-04-02 • Missed Special Appointment • Unable To Locate Client • WorkFirst Noncooperation • Terminate cash and parent’s MC for child support noncooperation PM 24-04-02 • Called a SWAP

28. Special Populations • Limited English Proficiency PM 22-11-00; PM 22-13-00 • Must offer interpreter or use language line. • Should not use family member • Teen Parents PM14-01-00 • Can apply for anything • Parent’s income will be needed for TANF if under 18 or Food Stamps if under 22 (if living with parent). • Assigned to Teen Parent Liaison if no H.S. Diploma • Will be required to enroll in GED classes or school

29. TANF Crisis Assistance • Available to TANF Applicant/Recipient families PM 06-03-00 • Processed in 5 days, including TANF application (no 30 day wait) PM 06-03-01-C • Qualifying conditions: PM 06-03-01 • 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

30. Assignment of Child Support • Parents, stepparents and caretaker relatives applying for Cash and/or Medical on the basis of a child in their household must cooperate with child support activities unless they have good cause • Only custodial parents are sanctioned for non-cooperation (Pregnant women and relative caretakers not sanctioned) • Minor mothers must also cooperate with child support unless they have good cause • PM 24-02-02

31. Disbursement of Child Support for a TANF Recipient - First $50.00 current support “pass through” to the TANF family PM 24-05-01 - Remaining current support payment to HFS to reimburse for TANF payment - Any remaining current payment sent to family as “excess support” PM 24-05-02-b - Regular excess payments will terminate TANF

32. Disbursement of Child Support After TANF Ends All current support paid to the custodial parent

33. Disbursement of Collected Child Support Arrearages • All intercepted tax refunds and other intercepts applied to unreimbursed TANF first • Arrearages paid by Obligor applied as follows: First: To family for any arrearage owed since family left TANF Second: To State for any unreimbursed TANF (up to the lesser of unreimbursed TANF or the ordered support for that month) Third: To State or family depending on when arrearages accumulated prior to family obtaining TANF and/or AFDC

34. Earmarked Child Support • Support payments must be earmarked for: 1) an SSI child; PM 08-01-05-a or 2) a child who does not qualify for TANF for reasons other than receipt of SSI or sanctions (allocated earmarking); PM 08-01-05-b or 3) a child who is not required to be in the TANF unit (optional earmarking) PM 08-01-05-b • Earmarked support not deemed to TANF children • Consent decree: Machado v. Coler

35. Child Support Account Review Requests • An accounting of all child support payments received and retained or disbursed by HFS • Consent Decree: Agee v. Duffy • Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 657; 45 C.F.R. 302.51 and 89 Ill. Adm. Code Subpart F • May be requested any time • After Account Review is received may request: • in person explanation, • Reconsideration in 30 days, • or file Writ of Certiorari in 180 days

36. Single Adults In Chicago Can Get Transitional Assistance Cash Benefits • PM I-02-04-b and Chapter 12 • $100 a month • And a TA medical card (no hospital coverage) • Age 55 or over with earnings <$200 month in 7 months and <$2000 in past 12 months • 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 full Medicaid card

37. GA Family • Legal guardians and the minor children in Chicago (outside Chicago GA is administered by Townships) PM I-02-04-a and 12-01-02 • Same grant level as TANF • TA medical card for adult • Medicaid for the child

38. 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 • PM 11-01-00

39. General Rules

40. One Application at IDHS Covers All Programs -Special form (No. 2689) for Crisis Assistance -May submit separate applications for some programs - PM-02-05-00

41. Case Processing DeadlinesPM 17-01-01 • Cash • 45 days, 5 days (PM 06-03-01-c) if eligible for Crisis Assistance • 60 days for disability determination • Medical (varies) - Temporary card in 75 daysPM 17-03-03 • Food Stamps • 30 days PM 17-01-01 • Emergency Food Stamps 5 calendar days PM 02-08-02-b

42. Disputes • Appeals PM 01-07-00 thru 01-07-04 • Actions or Inactions with the case • Call 800-435-0774 or 312-793-2618 • 60 days cash or medical • 90 days Food Stamps • Appeals filed on or before “Date of Change” keep the status quo. • Judicial Review • 35 days for cash and medical • 6 months for Food Stamps • Grievances PM 01-01-06 • Treatment by an IDHS employee • Hearings for both held at the local office

43. Overpayments - Cash • Recipients PM 23-05-01-a • Recoupment – 10% usually • Non-recipients PM 23-05-01-d • Tax intercepts of state refunds • Administrative garnishment of state employees' salaries • Limits on Collection – under state law

44. Food Stamp Overpayments • Food Stamps • Administrative Error or Inadvertent Error • 10% recoupment (for Recipients) PM 23-05-02-a • Federal tax refund intercept (for non-Recipients) PM 23-05-02-a • Intentional Program Violation • Administrative Disqualification Hearing required or waiver. • 20% recoupment PM 23-05-02-a • 12 month disqualification for first violation, 24 months for second violation, permanent disqualification for third violation PM 23-06-03 • Federal Offset of other benefits • SSI exempt • SSD offsets the lesser of: 15 % of monthly benefit or amount which the monthly benefit exceeds $750 monthly 31 CFR §285.4

45. Limitations of Collection: Food Stamps • PM 23-03-04 • Agency Error – 1 year from date of discovery • Inadvertent Household Error & Intentional Program Violations – 6 years from date of discovery • Collections: no limit

46. 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. • Bankruptcy Option – when there is no finding of fraud

47. Welfare Reform Created Two Distinctions Among Immigrants • PM 03-01-00 • Immigrants Who Arrived (either legally or illegally) on or before 8/22/96 • Immigrants Who Arrived After 8/22/96

48. Qualified Immigrants • PM 03-01-00 et. seq. • 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

49. Qualified Immigrants Who Arrived On or Before 8/22/96 Eligible For • All programs from Illinois Department of Human Services • Cash, Medicaid, Food Stamps

50. 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