PM 06-03-00: Crisis Assistance and Emergency Shelter Programs

WAG 06-03-00

There are 2 programs that provide assistance in a crisis situation:New Manual Material

  • The Crisis Assistance program, may provide payments to a family who is determined eligible for or receiving TANF, and demonstrates an immediate need, for shelter, furniture, household supplies, clothing, food, lodging, or transportation.
  • The Emergency Shelter program, may assist a homeless family or person who plans to live in Cook County with Emergency Shelter if they receive TANF. The shelter must be provided by a private or social service agency with whom IDHS has a written agreement to provide this service.

Each program addresses different needs.Deleted Manual Text 

A written request and disposition are required for both programs. 

  • For Crisis Assistance, issue a written decision within 2 Revised Manual Textbusiness days from the date of decision.
  • For Emergency Shelter, issue a written decision within 45 Revised Manual Textbusiness days from the request date.

If the need for assistance results from a customer's refusal to accept employment or training for employment without good cause, they are ineligible for the program. Accept the customer's statement as proof that they did not refuse to accept a job or job training without good cause.

Obtain prior approval from the Regional Revised Manual TextAdministrator when a TANF family requests non-medical needs related to essential medical care.