Department of Human Services' (DHS) programs provide cash payments, food benefits, and medical coverage for people who qualify. The programs, based on federal and state laws and court rulings, are called:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
- Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD),
- Refugee and Repatriate Assistance (RRA),
ACA Adult,- Medical Assistance, and
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
A person can receive SNAP in one case and cash in another, or SNAP in one case and medical in another. But there are only 2 situations when a person can be in more than one cash or medical case.
Situation 1: A child who lives in Illinois and receives foster care/adoption cash benefits from another state can receive medical coverage from DHS.
Situation 2: Someone who becomes an Illinois resident, and who receives cash or medical from another state, may also qualify for cash or medical from DHS. If the cash they receive from the other state is at least $10.00 less than what DHS pays, they can get a check from DHS to make up the difference. If the other state won't pay for medical bills incurred in Illinois before their case is canceled, then DHS can provide medical coverage.
A person who receives TANF, AABD, RRA, or Medicare cannot receive ACA Adult.
A person who qualifies for both TANF and SSI cannot receive both. But a parent can receive one for themselves, and the other as a representative payee for a child.
A child cannot receive both Foster Care and TANF at the same time. If a child is eligible for both Foster Care and TANF, the caretaker relative must choose which program the child will receive benefits from. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) makes cash payments for children who receive Foster Care. The Family Health Plan programs provide medical coverage.
