WAG 17-01-02: Processing the Application

PM 17-01-02

• Consider eligibility for all programs where potential eligibility exists, unless the customer states in writing that they do now want to apply for the benefit. This includes when the customer provides a (Yes) or (No) response to a program request on the ABE Portal or on the paper application, IL444-2378B, Request for Cash Assistance - Medical Assistance - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 
• If eligibility is being determined for all programs, consider the programs that would be the most beneficial to the person and that they may be eligible for first, based on the information contained on the application. Register the application for that program. If the customer is not eligible for the first program, but is for another program, use the original application date to determine eligibility and the effective date.
• Do not determine eligibility for a program that the customer and/or members of the household do not want even if they might qualify for the program.

 SNAP Benefits

• Always determine eligibility for SNAP benefits unless the customer:
  • States in writing they do not want the benefit; and/or
  • Indicates preference by marking (Yes) or (No) to the benefit program on the IL444-2378B or in the ABE portal; or
  • The application is:
    • A Mail-In Application for Medical Benefits, or an All Kids, FamilyCare and Moms & Babies Health Insurance Application;
    • An abbreviated reapplication for a spenddown case;
    • An application for medical requesting payment for long term care services; or
    • An application for QMB Only or SLIB Only.

Program Progression

• IES systematically performs case progression for medical and cash programs in the order below:

• If not eligible for any of the programs above, IES will continue the eligibility process of each program below  based on the status for each customer.
  • For Pregnant Women:
    • Moms and Babies,
    • Family Health Spenddown,
  • For Adults not Aged, Blind, Disabled, or Pregnant:
    • FamilyCare Assist,
    • Family Health Spenddown.
  • For Children:
    • All Kids Assist,
    • Family Health Spenddown, met for current processing month,
    • Family Health Spenddown, met for a month other than the current processing month.
  • For Aged, Blind or Disabled Adults:

IES Eligibility Determination

After receipt and entry of the required verifications in IES, the worker runs eligibility. IES will systematically determine the program the customer is eligible to receive. The worker should compare the case information to the program requirements to make sure the results of the determination of eligibility is correct. 

• When the final disposition is made, IES systematically sends a Notice of Decision (IL444-0360C) to notify the customer of the approval and/or the denial reason for each program determination that was made. If the customer is ineligible for all programs, IL444-0360C notifies the customer of the denial reason for each program determination.

Identification of Teen Parent Service (TPS) Case

System:

• A TPS case is centrally identified upon approval at intake.
• A case is identified as TPS if it meets the following criteria:
• A case in which the grantee is:
  • age 11 through 19 years and 9 months; and
  • has a minor child under 1 year of age; or
  • has an EDD.
• A case in which a child on the case is:
  • age 11 through 18 years and 3 months; and
  • has a minor child under 1 year of age; or
  • has an EDD
• When a case is identified at approval as TPS, transfer the case into the TPS site where the TPS staff will:
  • be responsible for specific casework on the case, including WVS actions, RSP responsibilities, income changes, adding newborns, and updating addresses/telephone numbers;
  • monitor completion of the Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP);
  • report the client's progress on their RSP via the Change Progress Report Form (IL444-2151A); and
  • send the case back to the appropriate Family Community Resource Center when the case is no longer identified as a TPS case.

See PM 14-12-00 and WAG 14-12-00 for specific details concerning TPS cases.