06/19/12

References in this material to medical assistance policy have been approved by Healthcare and Family Services.

Summary:

  • Effective 7/1/12, the Department no longer offers a City of Chicago General Assistance (CGA) Program. 
  • GA medical assistance to adults under Category 07 GA zero grant ends as of 7/1/12.
  • SNAP and medical assistance to children and disabled adults will continue under other existing categories of assistance.
  1. Introduction
  2. Conversion of Active Category 07 cases
    1. GA-FCA cases
    2. GA-TA with SNAP
    3. GA-TA case without SNAP
  3. Pending Applications Received Prior to 7/1/12
  4. Applications Received 7/1/12 or Later
  5. Forms referenced:

Introduction

Due to the budget, medical assistance under the Chicago General Assistance (CGA) program is eliminated as of 7/1/12. The cash portion of the GA program was eliminated 7/1/11.

  • Adults in Category 07 cases are the only persons served under the GA program who are no longer eligible for medical assistance. They had received limited medical benefits under the state-funded GA program when determined not employable (GA-TA), or when caring for non-related children for whom they have guardianship (GA-FCA).
  • Adults in Category P3-TA cases continue to be eligible for medical benefits under the AABD program because they have been determined disabled by CAU while their SSI application is pending.  
  • Children in Category 07-FCA cases continue to be eligible for medical benefits under Category 94R if not living with a related caregiver, or Category 94, if relationship is established.

Transition SNAP benefits from Category 07 when changes are reported during the approval period, or no later than at the next SNAP REDE.

The General Assistance program will be removed from the manual in a follow-up release.  

Conversion of Active Category 07 cases

CN 12.18 "Important Notice Regarding Your Medical Benefits - Transitional Assistance" (pdf) will be centrally mailed to Category 07-TA cases that are on regular roll assistance as of 06/19/12. CN 12.19 "Important Notice Regarding Your Medical Benefits - Family and Children Assistance'" (pdf) will be centrally mailed to Category 07-FCA cases. No additional notification of discontinuation of GA medical assistance is necessary.

CN 12.18 and CN 12.19 inform the client of their right to appeal, but that a hearing will not be granted if the sole issue in the appeal is the discontinuation of GA medical assistance.

The night of 6/19/12, the system will take action to end medical eligibility for adults on regular roll assistance as described under the following types of Category 07 cases. No central notices will be generated. 

FCRC follow-up action is needed to continue SNAP benefits, and medical assistance for children.

GA-FCA cases

The system will generate TA 31 TAR 60 to change Item 78 to Code 4 for adults to remove medical. Children will continue to receive medical.

If the family case contains SNAP, cancel Category 07 with TA 22 TAR E7 when SNAP changes are reported during the approval period, or no later than the next SNAP REDE. Enter 90 in Item 39 to suppress the notice. Continue medical for eligible children under Category 94 or 94R. Authorize SNAP as appropriate.

If the family case does not contain SNAP, a listing will be centrally produced. Cancel Category 07 with TA 22 TAR E7 and enter 90 in Item 39 to suppress the notice. Continue medical for eligible children under Category 94 or 94R.

GA-TA with SNAP

The system will generate TA 31 TAR 60 to change Item 78 to Code 4 for adults to remove medical.

When SNAP changes are reported during the approval period, or no later than the next SNAP REDE for GA-TA cases, cancel Category 07 with TA 22 TAR E7 and enter 90 in Item 39 to suppress the notice. If eligibility for SNAP continues, authorize under Category 08.

GA-TA case without SNAP

The system will generate TA 22 TAR E7 to centrally cancel. No FCRC follow-up is needed.

Pending Applications Received Prior to 7/1/12

For Category 07 applications received prior to 7/1/12, continue to deny with the appropriate type action reason if GA eligibility criteria are not met, ex. not a resident of the City of Chicago, applicant employable. Authorize medical assistance for children and SNAP under appropriate categories of assistance as usual. 

Beginning 6/19/12, if GA eligibility criteria are met prior to 7/1/12, approve and cancel Category 07-TA or FCA with TA 10 TAR E7. The system will automatically enter 6/30/12 as the medical end date for adults and will suppress the notice. A new notice "Notice of Decision of Application for General Assistance" (Form 360T) (pdf) has been created, and is attached to this memorandum. Manually issue Form 360T to indicate the months for which medical assistance is approved prior to 7/1/12 and to inform the applicant that the General Assistance program ends as of 7/1/12. Forms 360T and 360TS are available in Smart Forms. 

When ending medical assistance for adults, always authorize continuing medical for children, and SNAP under appropriate categories of assistance.

Applications Received 7/1/12 or Later

Category 07 will no longer be a valid registration category beginning 7/1/12. Register as Category 93 and deny with TAR 12 due to no Department program if GA is the only potential program an adult could qualify for.

Beginning 07/01/12, a cash request will no longer progress to GA zero grant medical in AIS, and will be denied due to no Department program if no cash eligibility criteria are met. A medical request does not progress to GA medical and will be denied if no Medicaid criteria are met.

[signed copy on file]

Michelle R.B. Saddler

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Julie Hamos

Director, Illinois Department of HealthCare and Family Services

Forms referenced: 

  • CN 12.18/S
  • CN 12.19/S
  • Form 360T/S