Public Benefits An Overview Fall 2009. What are we talking about? Cash Medical Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - Food Stamps) Child Care.

Public Benefits

An Overview

Fall 2009

What are we talking about?

CashMedical

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - Food Stamps)Child Care Assistance

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

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

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)

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

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 applicationPM 02-08-01

5 calendar days for expedited benefits PM 02-08-02b

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

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 21-05-01For Cook County: Illinois Action for Children (312) 823-1100

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

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

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

Applications at IDHS Applications Must Be Taken The

Same Day Client Requests ServicesPM 02-04-01 and 02

Applicants Are Given A Return Date For Eligibility Appointment

Individuals Must Be Screened For Emergency Food StampsPM 02-08-00

Online Applications PM 02-04-04

Apply online for: Cash, Food Stamps and Medical All Kids Circuit Breaker Day Care Assistance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 PM 14-01-00

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

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

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

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

Disbursement of Child Support After TANF Ends

All current support paid to the custodial parent

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

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

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

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

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

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

General Rules

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

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 days PM 17-03-03

Food Stamps 30 days PM 17-01-01 Emergency Food Stamps 5 calendar days PM 02-08-02-b

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

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

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 violationPM 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

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

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

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

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

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 (VAWA, U Visa) PM 03-01-02-i Petition for Status Pending or eligible to apply 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 and Medical waived

Hotline A free service of the Legal

Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago

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