Linking Youth and Young Parents to Economic and Educational Resources Presented by Lacinda Hummel Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health August 27, 2004.

Linking Youth and Linking Youth and Young Parents to Young Parents to

Economic and Economic and Educational Educational ResourcesResourcesPresented by Lacinda HummelPresented by Lacinda Hummel

Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Illinois Caucus for Adolescent HealthHealth

August 27, 2004August 27, 2004

ICAH MissionICAH Mission• The Illinois Caucus for Adolescent The Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, a nonprofit membership Health, a nonprofit membership organization, organization, promotes:promotes:

a positive approach to adolescent a positive approach to adolescent sexual healthsexual health

comprehensive support for young comprehensive support for young parentsparents

ICAH StrategiesICAH Strategies

Youth leadership developmentYouth leadership development Policy analysis and developmentPolicy analysis and development AdvocacyAdvocacy TrainingTraining

Linking Youth and Young Linking Youth and Young Parents to Economic Resources Parents to Economic Resources - Outline- Outline• Illinois Department of Human Services resources:Illinois Department of Human Services resources:

TANF financial assistanceTANF financial assistance Food stampsFood stamps Medical assistanceMedical assistance

• How to apply for DHS resourcesHow to apply for DHS resources• Special rules for youth on TANFSpecial rules for youth on TANF• Child supportChild support• Child care assistanceChild care assistance• Housing assistanceHousing assistance• Rights of pregnant and parenting youth Rights of pregnant and parenting youth to attend schoolto attend school

TANFTANF• Temporary Assistance for Needy Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides minimal Families (TANF) provides minimal income assistance to families. income assistance to families. Participants receive a “LINK” card that Participants receive a “LINK” card that works like a debit card.works like a debit card.

• Pregnant and parenting youth can Pregnant and parenting youth can apply for TANF at any age. Other apply for TANF at any age. Other youth are not eligible to apply except youth are not eligible to apply except through their parents.through their parents.

Food StampsFood Stamps• The Food Stamps program provides The Food Stamps program provides assistance in purchasing food, based on assistance in purchasing food, based on financial need. Participants receive a financial need. Participants receive a “LINK” card that works like a debit card.“LINK” card that works like a debit card.

• Unaccompanied youth can apply for food Unaccompanied youth can apply for food stamps at any age. (Youth under age 22 stamps at any age. (Youth under age 22 andand sharing living space with their sharing living space with their parents do not qualify for their own card.)parents do not qualify for their own card.)

Medicaid / KidCare / Family Medicaid / KidCare / Family CareCare• The Medicaid, KidCare, and Family Care The Medicaid, KidCare, and Family Care programs provide a medical card that pays programs provide a medical card that pays for medical care at clinics and hospitals for medical care at clinics and hospitals that accept the card. Assistance may also that accept the card. Assistance may also be available to help pay employee be available to help pay employee expenses of employer-based medical expenses of employer-based medical insurance.insurance.

• Medical assistance is available for youth Medical assistance is available for youth under age 19, and youth of any age who under age 19, and youth of any age who are pregnant, parenting, blind, or disabled, are pregnant, parenting, blind, or disabled, based on financial need.based on financial need.

Medicaid / KidCare / Family Medicaid / KidCare / Family CareCare• If a teen is not living with his parents, their If a teen is not living with his parents, their income will not be counted to determine his income will not be counted to determine his eligibility for medical assistance.eligibility for medical assistance.

• Only the teen parent’s own income is used Only the teen parent’s own income is used to determine eligibility for her child, to determine eligibility for her child, regardless of the teen parent’s living regardless of the teen parent’s living situation. situation.

How to Apply for TANF, Food How to Apply for TANF, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Stamps, and Medical Assistance with DHSwith DHS

• Go to the neighborhood Department Go to the neighborhood Department of Human Services (DHS) office and of Human Services (DHS) office and bring all identification and bring all identification and documentation of income, documentation of income, expenses, living arrangements, expenses, living arrangements, school attendance and pregnancy if school attendance and pregnancy if applicable.applicable.

• The minimum needed to start an The minimum needed to start an application is name, mailing application is name, mailing address and signature.address and signature.

How to Apply for TANF, Food How to Apply for TANF, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Stamps, and Medical Assistance with DHSwith DHS

• Ask for the cash benefit to ensure Ask for the cash benefit to ensure the application is for TANF in the application is for TANF in addition to Food Stamps and addition to Food Stamps and medical assistance.medical assistance.

• Ask for emergency food stamps Ask for emergency food stamps for faster processing of food for faster processing of food assistance.assistance.

How to Apply for TANF, Food How to Apply for TANF, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Stamps, and Medical Assistance with DHSwith DHS• If a young parent is under 20 and has If a young parent is under 20 and has not finished high school, she should be not finished high school, she should be referred to Teen Parent Services (TPS), referred to Teen Parent Services (TPS), which can help her apply for TANF.which can help her apply for TANF.

• TPS is a case management program TPS is a case management program for young parents run by a separate for young parents run by a separate DHS office or a community DHS office or a community organization.organization.

How to Apply for TANF, Food How to Apply for TANF, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Stamps, and Medical Assistance with DHSwith DHS• Applicants should receive a letter Applicants should receive a letter

within 30 days, and should receive within 30 days, and should receive TANF within 45 days if they qualify. TANF within 45 days if they qualify. Food stamps and medical Food stamps and medical assistance may be provided more assistance may be provided more quickly in emergencies.quickly in emergencies.

• Missing appointments without Missing appointments without rescheduling could result in a rescheduling could result in a denial of benefits.denial of benefits.

How to Apply for TANF, Food How to Apply for TANF, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Stamps, and Medical Assistance with DHSwith DHS• Youth can find their local DHS office by Youth can find their local DHS office by calling 1-800-843-6154 or on the internet at calling 1-800-843-6154 or on the internet at www.dhs.state.il.us/officeLocator

• Youth can also apply by filling in the Youth can also apply by filling in the application form available at the DHS web application form available at the DHS web site, and mailing or faxing it to their DHS site, and mailing or faxing it to their DHS office. Be sure to call to see if they got it.office. Be sure to call to see if they got it.

• www.dhs.state.il.us/ts/fss/dhs_foodStamps_fsai.asp

How to Apply for TANF, Food How to Apply for TANF, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Stamps, and Medical Assistance with DHSwith DHS

Dealing with application Dealing with application problemsproblems

• It often helps to ask for a supervisor It often helps to ask for a supervisor or manager if there is a problem.or manager if there is a problem.

• If a young person thinks she/he was If a young person thinks she/he was treated unfairly or a mistake was treated unfairly or a mistake was made, she/he can file an appeal made, she/he can file an appeal form at the DHS office.form at the DHS office.

How to Apply for TANF, Food How to Apply for TANF, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Stamps, and Medical Assistance with DHSwith DHS

Places to call for helpPlaces to call for help

• Public Benefits Hotline (in Cook Public Benefits Hotline (in Cook County) 1-888-893-County) 1-888-893-5327 5327 (TTY 312-431-1206)(TTY 312-431-1206)

• Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health 312-427-4460 x22Health 312-427-4460 x22

• KidCare Hotline (medical benefits) KidCare Hotline (medical benefits) 1-800-226-0768 1-800-226-0768

TANF & Teen Parents – Special TANF & Teen Parents – Special RulesRules

TANF LIVING ARRANGEMENT TANF LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTREQUIREMENT

for Teen Parents under age 18for Teen Parents under age 18

• Generally, teen parents under age 18 Generally, teen parents under age 18 must live in an adult supervised must live in an adult supervised setting or meet an exemption to setting or meet an exemption to receive TANF.receive TANF.

• However, teen parents under age 18 However, teen parents under age 18 may receive TANF for up to 6 months may receive TANF for up to 6 months while not meeting living arrangement while not meeting living arrangement rules.rules.

TANF LIVING ARRANGEMENT TANF LIVING ARRANGEMENT

REQUIREMENTREQUIREMENTfor Teen Parents under age 18 for Teen Parents under age 18

• The following living arrangements The following living arrangements are always allowed: are always allowed: Biological parent(s)Biological parent(s) Legal guardianLegal guardian Adult relativeAdult relative Maternity homeMaternity home

TANF LIVING ARRANGEMENT TANF LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTREQUIREMENT

for Teen Parents under age 18for Teen Parents under age 18

• The adult with whom the minor lives The adult with whom the minor lives is asked to become the is asked to become the Representative Payee for the Teen Representative Payee for the Teen (RPT) and her case.(RPT) and her case.

• If the adult does not agree, the teen If the adult does not agree, the teen parent is the payee and will receive parent is the payee and will receive the cash grant directly. the cash grant directly.

LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTLIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTfor Teen Parents under age 18for Teen Parents under age 18

Exemptions:Exemptions:

• Teen is or has been marriedTeen is or has been married

• Parent or guardian is deceased Parent or guardian is deceased or their whereabouts are or their whereabouts are unknownunknown

• Parent or guardian will not allow Parent or guardian will not allow the teen and child to live the teen and child to live with themwith them

LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTLIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTfor Teen Parents under age 18for Teen Parents under age 18

Exemptions:Exemptions:• Physical or emotional health and safety Physical or emotional health and safety

of the teen or child is jeopardized if they of the teen or child is jeopardized if they live with the parent or guardianlive with the parent or guardian

• Teen has lived apart from the parent or Teen has lived apart from the parent or guardian for at least one year prior to guardian for at least one year prior to the child’s birth or applying for TANFthe child’s birth or applying for TANF

• Parent or guardian lives out-of state, in Parent or guardian lives out-of state, in an institution, or is addicted to drugs an institution, or is addicted to drugs or alcohol or alcohol

LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTLIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTfor Teen Parents under age 18for Teen Parents under age 18

Exemptions:Exemptions:• Teen’s return to the parent or Teen’s return to the parent or

guardian’s home would violate their guardian’s home would violate their lease or local health and safety lease or local health and safety standardsstandards

• Teen is in a licensed substance Teen is in a licensed substance abuse treatment program that abuse treatment program that would not be available if they would not be available if they returned to the parent or guardian’s returned to the parent or guardian’s homehome

NO TANF TIME CLOCKNO TANF TIME CLOCKfor Teen Parents under age 18for Teen Parents under age 18

• Teen parents under age 18 do Teen parents under age 18 do not have a TANF time clock, not have a TANF time clock, regardless of where they live regardless of where they live or if they receive their own or if they receive their own grant.grant.

STOPPING THE 5 YEAR TANF TIME STOPPING THE 5 YEAR TANF TIME CLOCKCLOCKFor Teen Parents at any ageFor Teen Parents at any age

• Parents of any age can have their Parents of any age can have their time clock stopped when they are:time clock stopped when they are: in college full timein college full time caring for their disabled childcaring for their disabled child caring for a related child under 18 or caring for a related child under 18 or

a spouse who has a serious medical a spouse who has a serious medical conditioncondition

addressing domestic violence issuesaddressing domestic violence issues working at least 30 hours per weekworking at least 30 hours per week

STAY IN SCHOOL REQUIREMENTSTAY IN SCHOOL REQUIREMENTFor Teen Parents under age 20For Teen Parents under age 20

• Teen parents who are receiving Teen parents who are receiving TANF must participate in basic TANF must participate in basic education until receiving a high education until receiving a high school diploma or GED. school diploma or GED.

• Teen parents who participate in Teen parents who participate in high school or GED do not have high school or GED do not have a work requirement. a work requirement.

CHILD SUPPORTCHILD SUPPORT

• To be eligible for TANF or To be eligible for TANF or medical assistance, all medical assistance, all applicants must cooperate with applicants must cooperate with Child Support Enforcement Child Support Enforcement activities or show good cause activities or show good cause why they should be excused.why they should be excused.

CHILD SUPPORTCHILD SUPPORT

Good cause applies to cases where:Good cause applies to cases where:

the child was conceived as a the child was conceived as a result of incest or raperesult of incest or rape

there is a possibility the child will there is a possibility the child will be adoptedbe adopted

there may be physical or there may be physical or emotional harm to the parent or emotional harm to the parent or the childthe child

there is fear of domestic violencethere is fear of domestic violence

CHILD SUPPORTCHILD SUPPORT

• Youth who are parents, even if they Youth who are parents, even if they do not receive welfare or other public do not receive welfare or other public assistance, can contact the Illinois assistance, can contact the Illinois Department of Public Aid’s Child Department of Public Aid’s Child Support Enforcement program for Support Enforcement program for help with establishing paternity and a help with establishing paternity and a child support order. child support order.

• 800-447-4278 (voice)800-447-4278 (voice)• 877-526-5812 (TTY)877-526-5812 (TTY)• www.ilchildsupport.com

CHILD CARE CHILD CARE

• All teens in need of child care All teens in need of child care should be referred to the local Child should be referred to the local Child Care Resource and Referral agency Care Resource and Referral agency to apply for assistance and for to apply for assistance and for provider referrals. 773-769-8027provider referrals. 773-769-8027

• The income of the parent(s) of a The income of the parent(s) of a teen parent is never considered in teen parent is never considered in determining eligibility for child care determining eligibility for child care assistance to care for the teen’s assistance to care for the teen’s child.child.

Housing AssistanceHousing Assistance

• Subsidized housing – CHA or Housing Subsidized housing – CHA or Housing Choice Vouchers (“Section 8”): Head Choice Vouchers (“Section 8”): Head of household must generally be 18 or of household must generally be 18 or over or be at least 16 and go through over or be at least 16 and go through a court emancipation process with a court emancipation process with parental consent.parental consent.

• Waiting lists are years long and often Waiting lists are years long and often closed.closed.

SheltersShelters

• Shelters – very few available for youth, Shelters – very few available for youth, particularly those who are under 18 or particularly those who are under 18 or who have children. See who have children. See www.icah.org for resource list.for resource list.

• In a survey of social service providers In a survey of social service providers throughout Illinois, one in four throughout Illinois, one in four pregnant and parenting youth needed pregnant and parenting youth needed housing or shelter. housing or shelter. www.impactresearch.org

Consequences of Consequences of HomelessnessHomelessness• Once on the street, many Once on the street, many homeless youth will not survive. homeless youth will not survive. According to a Chicago Coalition According to a Chicago Coalition for the Homeless survey of youth for the Homeless survey of youth on the street:on the street:

33% were physically attacked33% were physically attacked 20% had been sexually assaulted20% had been sexually assaulted 75% had been asked to sell drugs75% had been asked to sell drugs 12% had engaged in prostitution12% had engaged in prostitution

School CompletionSchool Completion

• Teen mothers have a 60% chance of Teen mothers have a 60% chance of graduating from high school by age graduating from high school by age 25, compared to 90% for those who 25, compared to 90% for those who postpone childbearing.postpone childbearing.

• In a 2003 survey of pregnant and In a 2003 survey of pregnant and parenting youth in Chicago, 26% said parenting youth in Chicago, 26% said they had been encouraged to leave they had been encouraged to leave school by a school staff member.school by a school staff member.

Barriers to School Barriers to School CompletionCompletion• 34% reported that their school did not 34% reported that their school did not excuse absences for students who are excuse absences for students who are ill due to pregnancy.ill due to pregnancy.

• 22% reported that their school did not 22% reported that their school did not excuse an absence for a student to excuse an absence for a student to care for their sick child.care for their sick child.

• www.impactresearch.org

Right to equal opportunityRight to equal opportunityFederal and state gender equity laws protect Federal and state gender equity laws protect young parents’ rights to public educationyoung parents’ rights to public education

IL Admin. Code, Title 23, Chapter 1IL Admin. Code, Title 23, Chapter 1 Section 200.50(e). “No student shall be Section 200.50(e). “No student shall be discriminated against because of his or discriminated against because of his or her actual or potential marital or parental her actual or potential marital or parental status.”status.”

200.50(e)(4) “Systems shall eliminate 200.50(e)(4) “Systems shall eliminate administrative and programmatic barriers administrative and programmatic barriers to school attendance and school to school attendance and school completion by pregnant students or completion by pregnant students or students who are parents.”students who are parents.”

Rights of Pregnant and Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Youth in SchoolParenting Youth in School• Stay in regular school & attend all classesStay in regular school & attend all classes• Participate in all school & extracurricular Participate in all school & extracurricular activitiesactivities

• Have excused absences for health Have excused absences for health problems related to pregnancy or problems related to pregnancy or deliverydelivery

• Attend special programs only if voluntaryAttend special programs only if voluntary• Receive home instructionReceive home instruction• Return to school after the birthReturn to school after the birth

Join UsJoin Us

• www.icah.org• Become a memberBecome a member• Sign up to be on our email list for Sign up to be on our email list for events and action alertsevents and action alerts

• Take part in opportunities for adults Take part in opportunities for adults and youth to learn about and and youth to learn about and advocate for young parent and sexual advocate for young parent and sexual health issues.health issues.