Group Care Credit Clarification During the Public Health Emergency

Illinois Department of Human Services logo
Illinois Department of HealthCare and Family Services logo

06/07/2022

Policy Memo

Summary

Changes to an individual's group care credit (GCC)s should be applied regardless of the status of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). This includes both increases and decreases to the GCC.

  • Changes that result in a decreased GCC should be processed retroactively, to when the income changed.
  • Changes that result in an increased GCC should be processed prospectively, beginning with the current effective month.


The increased GCC should be applied prospectively (current effective month) regardless of when the change occurred. This directive applies to all GCCs given the increase remains applicable and has not been processed.


Please review the following examples for further guidance:

  • Example 1. A verified change resulting in an increased GCC reported on 09/01/2021. Caseworker processes redetermination on 07/01/2022. The increased GCC should be effective 08/01/2022, which is the current, effective month.
  • Example 2. A verified change resulting in an increased GCC reported on 07/18/2022. The increased GCC should be effective 09/01/2022, which is the current, effective month.
  • Example 3. A verified change resulting in an decreased GCC reported on 07/01/2021. Caseworker processes change on 06/12/2022. The GCC decrease should be effective retroactively to the date the decrease occurred on 07/01/2021.


NOTE: All supporting verifications are required to process income changes. Refer to PM 02-07-02: Obtaining Verifications for more information.


[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Theresa Eagleson

Director, Healthcare and Family Services