Section 114.3  Advocacy Program for Persons Receiving State Transitional Assistance

a)         The Department shall establish advocacy programs to help clients pursue Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications and, for those found ineligible for SSI initially, to help clients pursue the SSI reconsideration and appeal process.  The programs may be limited to specific geographic areas.  These programs are not available to persons whose disability is based solely on substance addictions (see Section 114.1(e)).

b)         For those geographic areas of the State where an advocacy program is established, it shall be a condition of eligibility for State Transitional Assistance for the client to participate in and cooperate with the advocacy program.

c)         Responsibilities of SSI advocacy programs include but are not limited to:

1)         Assisting the client in completing all forms required for the SSI process;

2)         Assisting the client in securing and providing all medical information required for the SSI process;

3)         Ensuring that the client attends all scheduled SSI appointments including issuing carfare or arranging for other transportation, when necessary;

4)         Contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to request rescheduling of a client appointment, when required;

5)         Maintaining contact with the SSA regarding the status of the SSI application;

6)         Documenting all contacts with the client or SSA;

7)         Initiating the SSI appeal and reconsideration process if the SSI application is denied, through the Administrative Law Judge level;

8)         Referring the case for assistance under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) Program upon approval of the SSI application, and advising the GA office to cancel the GA case;

9)         Follow-up after a decision by the Administrative Law Judge, including obtaining a copy of the decision and referring the case for appropriate re-evaluation in the case of a decision by the Administrative Law Judge that the client is not disabled or blind; and

10)       Maintaining statistics on case referrals, actions taken and dispositions.

(Source:  Added at 19 Ill. Reg. 15058, effective October 17, 1995)