DDD Communication | November 13, 2025

IN 11/13/2025 COMMUNICATION:

  • November SNAP Benefits - Updated 11/12/2025
  • DDD Communication - Change of Format
  • HFS MAC: Autism Workgroup Meeting
  • Required FY25 Waiver Wage Attestation
  • ICAP and HRST Updates Effective 01/01/2026
  • MMAI Transition to FIDE SNP
  • Respite Services
  • Survey Opportunity
  • Training Opportunities - including Creating Affordable Housing!
  • Other Resources

NOVEMBER SNAP BENEFITS

Updated November 12, 2025, by IDHS

SNAP Recipients: As of today, the Trump Administration has not complied with court orders to provide full funding for November SNAP benefits. Without this federal funding, Illinois cannot distribute full benefits for November. IDHS stands ready to quickly issue full benefits as soon as the Trump Administration fulfills the courts' orders and transfers the required funds.

Partial benefits are being paid. Those who are regularly scheduled to receive benefits Nov. 1 through Nov. 6 will receive partial benefits over the next six days, with Nov. 1 benefits loading on Nov. 7, Nov. 2 benefits loading on Nov. 8, etc. Customers who ordinarily would receive their SNAP benefits on Nov. 7 or later will receive a partial benefit on their regular date. Due to the USDA changing their guidance on partial benefits late on Nov. 5, some customers may receive an additional partial benefit payment after their first, scheduled dates. NOTE: For some customers, the federal administration's requirements will leave them with no benefit for November.

To check your EBT Card balance, visit IDHS: Illinois Link Card or call Illinois Link Help Line: 1-800-678-LINK (5456). Benefits left on cards from previous months can still be used.

Please note that even though partial benefits were received by most IL SNAP Recipients, food insecurity is still a very real concern for many people and families.

  • Students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade can apply for free and reduced meal assistance through National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs at their school.
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for CDS is managed by the Illinois Department on Aging (DoA). Learn more here: Child and Adult Care Food Program
  • IDHS is maintaining the Federal SNAP Impact Center, a page of resources and SNAP information updates.
  • Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) has created an opportunity for "doers, donors, and volunteers" to remain on standby and alert for notification of community need through the program "Step up to Serve."

DDD COMMUNICATION - CHANGE OF FORMAT

The Division has changed communication providers from Constant Contact to MailChimp. This change requires no action on the part of stakeholders. The only difference will be the subject line. With Constant Contact, the subject line read "[External] [MARKETING] Division of Developmental Disabilities" and with MailChimp the subject line will read "[External] [BULK] Division of Developmental Disabilities." This change will take effect the week of November 17, 2025. Note: All emails already subscribed to DDD Communication will remain subscribed. Future subscribers can register to receive Weekly DDD Communication here: Contact Survey.

HFS MAC: AUTISM WORKGROUP MEETING

HFS shared a Public Meeting Notice for the Autism Workgroup. The meeting will be held November 17, 2025 starting at 1:00 pm Central Time. This meeting is open to the public, and registration is required. Find registration information and the meeting agenda here: HFS Public Meeting Notice

REQUIRED FY25 WAIVER WAGE ATTESTATION

This is a duplicate notice - previously shared 11/10/2025.

Pursuant to Public Act 102-0944, the State requires providers licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act (Community-Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs)) to certify that all legislatively or administratively mandated wage increases have been and are being passed on to ICF Aides (aides) and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) as prescribed by the State.

In Spring 2024, the Illinois General Assembly passed, and Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Public Act 103-0588, requiring the following as it relates to the wage increases effective January 1, 2025, as approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):

  • For Waiver-funded providers including CILA (24 Hour, Host Family and Intermittent) and Enhanced Residential (37U):
    • Wage increases of $1.00 per hour for DSPs, with at least $0.75 (75%) to be provided as a $0.75 per hour direct increase to all DSP wages, with the remaining $0.25 (25%) to be used flexibly for wage increases for DSPs and other frontline staff not covered by the federal Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) mean hourly wage increases; and
    • Wage increases for all non-executive direct care staff, excluding DSPs, to the DOL BLS mean hourly wage based on the same or similar occupation title.

* Please note: For ICF/DDs and MC/DDs, a separate attestation will be sent once CMS has approved the increases.

In implementing this requirement, the State has created the following Wage Attestation Form: IDHS: Fiscal Year 2025 Waiver Wage Attestation Form (7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025)

The form should be completed by an Authorized Agency Representative for your organization.

The form should be completed one (1) time per organization, unless as provided below.

  • If your organization provides Waiver-funded CILA services, please complete the Waiver Wage Attestation Form.
  • Please complete the form 1 time for all CILA services you provide. Please check the appropriate boxes on the form that correspond to the services your organization provides.

All forms must be completed by Friday, December 12, 2025.

Should you have questions about the completion of the form, please reach out to the Division of Developmental Disabilities at DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.

ICAP AND HRST UPDATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2026

While it seems far away, DDD wanted to make sure to share well in advance the schedule for the opportunity to update ICAP and HRST scores.

  • ICAP Updates - DDD will update CILA rates with up-to-date ICAP scores effective January 1, 2026. ISC agencies are to have all ICAP scores/MBI scores and ICAP dates submitted by December 17, 2025. ISCs should begin working with provider agencies to make sure that accurate ICAP scores are on file. Provider agencies should have ICAP scores turned into ISCs no later than December 1, 2025. This will allow ISCs ample time to review and work through any outstanding issues.
  • HRST Updates - DDD will update CILA rates with up-to-date HCL information effective January 1, 2025. IntellectAbility will provide DDD with updated HCL data in mid-December. Provider agencies should continue working with IntellectAbility to ensure that their records are accurate.

MMAI TRANSITION TO FIDE SNP

Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has announced December 2025 as the end date for Medicare Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) - more details here: Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative | HFS. MMAI has been replaced with Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (FIDE SNP), effective January 2026. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will offer Medicare Advantage dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs). HFS is offering D-SNPs because the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requiring states with a MMAI program convert to the D-SNP model. Illinois has chosen the following managed care plans to deliver services to dually eligible members through a FIDE SNP: Aetna, Humana, Meridian/WellCare, and Molina. The notice to providers is here: Provider Notice Issued 10/02/2025. MMAI members will remain on current plans until December 31, 2025, by default (the member can choose to self-unenroll prior to coverage end date).

Resources:

RESPITE SERVICES

Respite services are planned or unplanned care for a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver of that child or adult. Respite services provide relief and reduce the stress of the regular caregiver of an individual with I/DD and help to maintain the individual in their home and reduce the need for long-term services and supports. IDHS funds many providers throughout Illinois who offer respite services. Learn more here: Respite Services

SURVEY OPPORTUNITY

  • National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) would like to better understand the experiences and needs of individuals with Down syndrome with regard to healthcare, clinical research, and care supports. If you are a caregiver who is involved in making decisions for an adult with Down syndrome who is at least 20 years of age, you have the opportunity to complete the survey by November 25.
    • All answers will be anonymous and remain strictly confidential.
    • The survey is expected to take approximately 12-15 minutes to complete.
    • Take the survey: NDSS DSAC Survey

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

  • DDD - "Growth Mindsets and Asking Questions" will be hosted virtually November 19, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Central Time. This training is hosted quarterly for QIDP/ISC/Leadership. Register here: Growth Mindset - WebEx
  • ACES$ will be offering online training opportunities regarding EVV requirements for Personal Support Workers (PSW), Self-Directed Assistance Providers (SDA), and Self-Directed families. Training is scheduled for Thursday, November 20th at 1:00pm Central Time. Registration here: ACES$ EVV Training Registration
  • SIU Medicine - Join the "Primary Care Providers Working with IDD Patients in ECHO" series! The ECHO will take place once a month on the 3rd Thursday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Central Time (next session is November 20, 2025). Register here: SIU Med - ECHO Registration
    • Each session will consist of a 15-20-minute didactic presentation, and a case presentation with discussion.
    • The program will feature topics such as, Recognizing and Managing Psychotropic Side Effects, Approach to Self-Injurious Behavior, Approach Aggressive Behavior, Anxiety Disorders, and much more.
    • For more information about this series, please contact Kim Nelson or Dr. Taylor Blakeley.
  • SIU Medicine - IDD Grand Round "The ABCs of ADHD," a free virtual presentation by Dr. Pamela Campbell, on November 19, 2025. The webinar will begin at 12:00 pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: SIU Med - WebEx Event Info
    • Note: this was rescheduled from October - if you already registered, you received a new link with updated registration information and do NOT need to register again.

DDD DRS ANNUAL TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) collaborate to provide high-quality employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A key aspect of this partnership is the DDD DRS Memorandum of Understanding and joint training efforts.

DDD and DRS invite personnel from both divisions, Independent Service Coordination agencies, provider agencies, current or prospective service recipients, families, and other stakeholders to a presentation aimed at enhancing their understanding, and effective use, of employment supports.

  • Date: Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
  • Time: 1:00pm-3:30pm
  • DDD / DRS WebEx Webinar Training Link (pre-registration is not required)
  • Webinar number (access code): 2867 236 4590
  • Webinar password: yFmFGUdm923 (93634836 if dialing from a phone / video system)

UPCOMING TRAINING: CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) "Illinois Supportive Housing Institute" is coming soon! CSH is offering training for developing supportive housing initiatives that includes all aspects of creating supporting housing. Graduates from the workshop series will have a plan and a path for acquiring funding. Illinois Supportive Housing Institute 2026 will take place in Springfield starting in March. The application process will open in November with all applications being due in January. For questions, please contact CSH email.

OTHER RESOURCES

  • BTS - "The WOW Meeting REBOOT!" is a weekly recurring meeting for self-advocates that will be virtually hosted by Chuy and Tavarus. This will take place Fridays from 10:00 am until 11:00 am Central Time until further notice. Registration is not required.
    • Meeting information:
      • Join Zoom Meeting
      • Meeting ID: 708 698 1579
      • One tap mobile
      • +13126266799,,7086981579# US (Chicago)
      • +13092053325,,7086981579# US
  • UIC & RCADD - "Visual Supports for Social Emotional Learning" is a free virtual presentation for educators and caregivers. The webinar will start November 19, 2025, at 12:00 pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: Visual Supports SEL Zoom
  • FMPTIC - "Building Collaborative IEP Teams" is a free virtual presentation to educate, empower, and support families, youth, and professionals in understanding special education rights, services, and transition planning. The presentation will be held November 20, 2025, starting at 5:00 pm Central Time. Please register here: FMPTIC IEP Teams - Zoom Registration
  • IL Life Span (ILS) Program - "Programa CARE de la cuidad de Evanston IL" is a virtual and free webinar in Spanish featuring presenter Jorge Puma. The session will start at 5:30 pm Central Time on November 20, 2025. Learn more and register here: CARE Registration
  • AgeGuide - "Strategies for Caring for People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities" is a free virtual webinar scheduled November 19, 2025, starting at 10:00 am Central Time. This session aims to equip caregivers with the tools, strategies, and knowledge necessary to better support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Continuing Education Credit available for specified professionally licensed titles. Register here: AgeGuide - Zoom Registration
  • FMPTIC - "Unlock Your Child's Full Potential with the IEP Process" is a free virtual presentation to educate, empower, and support families, youth, and professionals in understanding special education rights, services, and transition planning. The presentation will be held November 24, 2025, starting at 9:00 am Central Time. Please register here: FMPTIC IEP Potential - Zoom Registration
  • ICPN - 2-day series "Illinois Child Protection Training" includes 6 virtual sessions that can provide CE for qualified titles (1 CE per session). This series is the same that was presented in October 2025 but has new dates for those that could not attend. You may register for one or all sessions in the series.

The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel. To request to be added to our email database, or to update your contact and service information, please complete our Contact Survey. Information provided will help us to better tailor communications to you in the future.

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