MR #18.17: Increase in TANF Payment Levels

Illinois Department of Human Services Logo

10/09/18

Summary

The maximum benefit levels provided to TANF and Refugee recipients will increase effective October 2018 as follows:

The cash payment level for TANF and Refugee cases is increased to 30% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for each family size;
TANF grants for child-only assistance units is increased to 75% of TANF units of the same size that consist of a caretaker relative with children;
TANF grant amounts will no longer vary on the basis of the TANF customers county of residence.
IES will recalculate active cases for 10/01/18 and will issue Notice of Decision (Form 360C) if SNAP decrease.

For cases on the regular roll at the close of October cut-off, IES will calculate the amount of the increase and send Notice of Decision (Form 360c).
The Initial Employment Deduction amounts are changed.
CN 18.08 CASH ASSISTANCE INCREASE (pdf) will be mailed no later than 09/30/18 to notify customers of the increase.
The Family Assist medical program income standards, which are based on TANF standards, will increase effective October 2018.

Due to state law, the Cash payment level for all TANF and Refugee cases is increased to 30% of the FPL for the TANF family size effective October 1, 2018. TANF grants for child only cases will increase to 75% of a TANF unit of the same size that consists of a caretaker relative with children.

The increase will be reflected in October's regular roll payments.

Effective October 1,2018 TANF grant amounts will no longer vary by the customers county of residence.

Computation of Active Cases

The increase is effective for cases active for the October payment month. IES will compute cash payments, parental liability, sanction, and recoupment amounts based on the new payment levels.

SNAP will also be recomputed as a result of increased cash payments.

If the computation using the new payment level causes a decrease in the SNAP, IES will generate Notice of Change (Form 360c) to the customer.

Client Notices

Client Notice CN 18:08 CASH ASSISTANCE INCREASE (pdf) will be mailed to TANF and RRA households. TANF cases which are eligible for a grant or are in zero grant status for October will receive a notice.

New Payment Levels - All Counties

Size of Unit	Adult and Children	Children Only
1	304	228
2	412	309
3	520	390
4	628	471
5	736	552
6	844	633
7	952	714
8	1060	795
9	1168	876
10	1276	957
11	1384	1038
12	1492	1119
13	1600	1200
14	1708	1291
15	1816	1362
16	1924	1443
17	2032	1524
18	2140	1605

Initial Employment Deduction (IED)

# in Unit	IED	# in Unit	IED	# in Unit	IED
1	202	7	634	13	1066
2	274	8	706	14	1138
3	346	9	778	15	1210
4	418	10	850	16	1282
5	490	11	922	17	1354
6	562	12	994	18	1426

Family Assist Standards

Effective October 2018, Family Assist medical program income standards are increased. Family Assist standards are based on TANF income standards. Starting 10/01/18, use the new amounts for any manual calculations completed when determining eligibility, and when authorizing Family Assist medical extensions for October 2018 or later. The system will use the new Family Assist income amounts effective October 2018.