DDD Communication | December 10, 2025

IN 12/10/2025 COMMUNICATION:

  • Human Rights Day
  • CMS Approves All 3 DD Waiver Amendments
  • SNAP Work Requirements and Individuals Receiving SSI or SSDI
  • ICAP and HRST updates - 01/01/26
  • PSW Billing Reminder
  • Reminder: Draft IB Posted - HBS Rates Increase 2026
  • Required FY25 Waiver Wage Attestation - Final Days!
  • Zoom Call for Self-Advocates
  • Respite Services
  • Training Opportunities
  • Other Resources

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - DECEMBER 10, 2025

On December 10th, Human Rights Day calls us to reflect on the fundamental freedoms and dignity every person deserves. At the Division of Developmental Disabilities, our mission is rooted in that belief. By supporting people to attain their wants, needs, and dreams, we aim to ensure those rights are reflected in everyday life through access, equity, and meaningful support. Today and every day, we thank you for your continued partnership in building a more just and inclusive Illinois.

CMS APPROVES ALL 3 DD WAIVER AMENDMENTS

DDD is pleased to announce that waiver amendments submitted in the fall to address FY26 budget increases and policy changes have been accepted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Children's Support Waiver, Children's Residential Waiver and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver. As a result, beginning January 1, 2026:

  • Individuals in the Children's Support Waiver will receive a 5% increase in their service budget in addition to the annual SSI adjustment.
  • Children's Residential Providers will see an increase of 8.8% in their rates.
  • Individuals in the Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver using Home Based will receive a 5% increase in their service budget in addition to the annual SSI adjustment.
  • Proposed and approved hourly rate increases for select adult services in the Adult DD Waiver will go into effect January 1, 2026; an $.80 hourly increase in DSP wage reimbursement is included.

SNAP WORK REQUIREMENTS AND PEOPLE RECEIVING SSI OR SSDI

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) systematically exempts individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) from SNAP Work Requirements. An exemption request form is not needed. If you receive SSI or SSDI, you do not need to take any action and will continue to receive your SNAP benefits. Some people have received exemption request forms in the mail, but you do not need to send them back if you receive SSI or SSDI.

For individuals who are in the process of applying for SSI or SSDI, have a pending application or have appealed a denial, you can contact your local Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC) or call the IDHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154. Visit DHS ABE Customer Support Center for more information on how to manage your account using ABE Manage My Case. If you have any other questions about whether you are impacted by the SNAP Work Requirements, you can use the Screener Portal: SNAP Work Requirements Screener.

ICAP AND HRST UPDATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2026

Provider agencies and ISCs please note upcoming dates (second reminder):

  • 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. If there is a provider that has not turned in ICAP scores, please do so immediately.
  • HRST Updates - DDD will update CILA rates with up-to-date HCL information effective January 1, 2026. 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.

PSW BILLING REMINDER

This is a reminder to Self-Direction Assistants (SDA) and Personal Support Workers (PSW) regarding billing guidelines for Personal Support Services while a participant is hospitalized versus in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility.

Information Bulletin DD.21.014 "Personal Support Services in a Hospital Setting" expanded Personal Support Services to include supports provided to a participant while hospitalized to foster communication, provide intensive personal care, and/or promote behavioral stabilization for the purpose of smooth transitions or to preserve functional abilities. Services in the plan of care that cannot be provided by facility staff will be provided by the Personal Support Worker.

Billing can only be submitted for services provided in a hospital setting.

Personal Support Services provided in a hospital setting must be services already identified in the individual's plan of care. These are services in the plan of care that cannot be provided by facility staff and are not a substitute for services the hospital is obligated to provide through its conditions of participation and/or under Federal or State law, or under another applicable requirement. The approved categories of services are to foster communication, provide intensive personal care, and/or promote behavioral stabilization for the purpose of smooth transitions or preserve functional abilities.

Billing cannot not be submitted for services provided in a long-term care facility or skilled nursing facility.

REMINDER: DRAFT IB AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

When policy is being written, prior to being published, the Draft Information Bulletin (Draft IB) is shared for public comments and feedback. Review the current Draft IBs by visiting DDD Draft Information Bulletins and submit comments on open drafts to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.

Current Draft IB: HBS Rates Increase 2026

  • This informational bulletin contains information regarding the increases in the Home-Based Support Services Program (HBS) monthly and annual maximum amounts that will be effective on January 1, 2026, pending Federal Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) approval.
  • Please submit comments by email to DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov (with the title of the IB in the subject line) by close of business December 15, 2025.

You can access Final Information bulletins here: DDD Final Information Bulletins

REQUIRED FY25 WAIVER WAGE ATTESTATION - FINAL DAYS!

This is a duplicate notice - previously shared 11/10/2025, 11/12/2025, 11/19/2025, 11/26/2025, and 12/03/2025.

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.  

ZOOM CALL FOR SELF-ADVOCATES

"Worth our While (WOW) Meetings" are virtually hosted weekly meetings for self-advocates. Discussion hosted by Chuy and Tavarus. No registration required. Use this zoom link every Friday at 10:00 am Central Time to join: WOW Friday Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 708 698 1579).

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

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

  • DDD - "Activities and Community Integration" will be hosted virtually December 17, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Central Time. This training is hosted quarterly for QIDP/ISC/Leadership. Register here: Activities and Community Integration - 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, December 18th at 1:00pm Central Time. Register here: ACCES$ EVV Training Registration.
  • IDHS Grants - Quarter 2 (Q2) Fiscal Year 26 (FY26) Grantee Training "Quarterly Reporting" is a free virtual webinar that will be presented December 18, 2025, starting at 1:30 pm Central Time. Register here: Q2 FY26 Grantee WebEx
  • LEADCenter - "Advancing Direct Support Professional (DSP) Careers: Start Here, Go Anywhere!" is a free virtual presentation on December 16, 2025, starting at 2:00 pm Central Time. This webinar will introduce a new DSP Career Exploration infographic that may entice new individuals to the DSP field and encourage retention of current DSPs by describing the role of DSPs and illustrating possible career pathways for DSPs to advance. Learn more and register here: Advancing DSP Careers Webinar Registration - Zoom

OTHER RESOURCES:

  • CSH - "Illinois ABLE Accounts - Savings & Investment Tool for Supportive Housing Participants" is a free virtual webinar on December 11, 2025, starting at 12:00 pm Central Time. Learn more and register here: IL_ABLE Flyer Dec 2025
  • RCADD - All dates listed in this section are free virtual webinars, open to the public, and presented in Spanish. All sessions begin at 12:00 noon Central Time. See full descriptions of each here: RCADD Flyer. Click on the date below to register for session.
    • Comprendiendo el Autismo y Apoyos Visuales - December 17, 2025
    • 4 Estrategias Para Mejorar la Habilidad de Leer en Niños/as con Autismo - December 18, 2025
    • Adiós pañales - Aprendiendo a Ir al Baño para Niño/as con Necesidades Especiales - December 19, 2025
  • ICPN - Final presentation of the series "Illinois Child Protection Training" includes 6 virtual sessions that can provide CE for qualified titles. This series is the same that was presented in October & November 2025 but has new dates for those that could not attend. You may register for one or all sessions in the series.
    • "General Caregiving Strategies, Basic Needs & Building Healthy Relationships" will be held December 15, 2025, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am Central Time with Emma Antoine. Register here: 12/15/25 at 9:00 am - Zoom Registration
    • "Toilet Training" will be held December 15, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am Central Time with Abigail Flaugher, M.A., BCBA. Register here: 12/15/25 at 10:30 am - Zoom Registration
    • "Recognizing One's Personal Trauma" will be held December 15, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Central Time with Ann Reynolds. Register here: 12/15/25 at 1:00 pm - Zoom Registration
    • "Recognizing the Signs of Maltreatment in Children Through a Trauma-Informed Care Lens" will be held December 17, 2025, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am Central Time with Joshua Rock. Register here: 12/17/2025 at 9:00 am - Zoom Registration
    • "Stress & Anger Management & Problem Solving and Decision Making" will be held December 17, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am Central Time with Amie Burke, BCBA. Register here: 12/17/25 at 10:30 am - Zoom Registration
    • Understanding Child Development will be held December 17, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Central Time with Kellie Taylor, Ph.D. Register here: 12/17/25 at 1:00 pm - Zoom Registration
  • ICPN - "ACT for Caregivers" is a free virtual webinar introducing caregivers to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The presentation will take place with Scott Sanders, MS, BCBA, QMHP on December 16, 2025, through Zoom at 10:00 am Central Time. Specified titles may earn CE. Register here: ACT Webinar Registration - Zoom
  • ICPN - "Mindfulness Moments & Meaningful Caregiving" is a free virtual webinar on December 16, 2025, starting at 12:00 noon Central Time. Amie Burke, BCBA will lead the discussion through Zoom. Specified titles may earn CE. Register here: Mindfulness Webinar Registration - Zoom
  • FMPTIC - "Understanding Functional Behavior Assessments & Behavior Intervention Plans" is a free virtual webinar at 2:00 pm Central Time on December 11, 2025. The presentation is geared for caregivers & professionals to look at how schools understand and support student behavior. Learn more and register here: FMPTIC 12/11/25 Registration - Zoom
  • FMPTIC - "From School to Home: Keeping Behavior Supports Consistent" is a free virtual webinar at 12:00 pm Central Time on December 18, 2025. The presentation is geared toward caregivers and school professionals who want to strengthen collaboration between home and school around Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP). Learn more and register here: FMPTIC 12/18/25 Registration - Zoom

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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