06/30/11

Summary:

  • Effective 07/01/11, State funding for the cash portion of the General Assistance (GA) program is eliminated.
  • GA clients in the City of Chicago will continue to receive medical and SNAP benefits in a zero grant GA case.

Introduction

Effective 07/01/11, due to a severe budget shortfall, State funding for the cash portion of the General Assistance (GA) program is eliminated. For clients in the City of Chicago, cash benefits are discontinued under Category 07-TA, Category 07-FCA and Category P3-TA. GA clients will continue to receive medical and SNAP benefits in a zero grant GA case using new zero grant reason G.

Conversion of GA Cases to Zero Grant Reason G

On the night of 06/22/11, the system used TA 31 TAR G2 to place all active Category 07 and P3 cases into zero grant reason G for effective month 07/11. The grant amount was zeroed out and SNAP benefits were recomputed. 

In addition to any regular notices, we sent CN 11.11 (pdf) and CN 11.11/S (pdf) "Important Notice Regarding Discontinuance of State Family and Children Assistance" to Category 07-FCA cases which were converted to zero grant. Category 07-TA and Category P3-TA cases received CN 11.12 (pdf) and CN 11.12/S (pdf) "Important Notice Regarding Discontuance of State Transitional Assistance". Both notices include information regarding appeals. If the loss of cash is the only issue being appealed, a hearing will not be granted and cash will not be reinstated. CN 11.11 instructs guardians who are related to the children in their care to contact their caseworker about TANF eligibility.

GA approvals in Zero Grant Reason G

Beginning with approvals effective for July 2011, Category 07-TA, 07-FCA and P3-TA cases are approved with zero grant reason G. AIS will automatically approve the case in zero grant. IPACS will require entry of 'G' in Box 34 for GA categories. IPE's may be authorized for any days prior to 07/01/11, but not on or beyond that date.  A mercury cash approval will not be approved if the effective date is 07/11 or later. Item 34 'G' cannot be deleted.

For Categories 07-TA and P3-TA, continue to determine eligibility based on the "not employable" reasons listed in PM 03-18-00. 

Determine financial eligibility for a zero grant case using the cash assistance standard for Transitional Assistance or Family and Children Assistance. See PM 12-01-00.  

Continued Eligibility

Category 07 and P3-TA cases will continue to select on the Priority Action List when due for a redetermination.  If redetermined eligible, continue to authorize medical assistance in the zero grant GA case.

Category P3-TA cases continue to be subject to the SDX crossmatch and the central suspension and cancellation actions outlined in WAG 03-18-01-c.

GA clients who receive P3-TA receive the full range of medical services that AABD clients receive.  Children under age 19 in GA-FCA cases receive the same medical coverage as children in Family Health Plans.  Category 07 TA and GA-FCA adults continue to receive the limited state medical coverage.

Form 360C is revised to notify clients that cash assistance is not available under the General Assistance program.

Michelle R.B. Saddler

[signed copy on file]

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms referenced:

  • CN 11.11
  • CN 11.12
  • Form 360C