Section 116.500  Crisis Assistance

a)         A crisis assistance payment may be provided to TANF recipients, as per Section 4-12 of the Illinois Public Aid Code [305 ILCS 5/4-12], in the following situations:

1)         The family is rendered homeless or is threatened  with homelessness as a result of a fire, flood or other natural disaster.

2)         The family has an eviction or a court order to vacate the premises for any reason.

3)         A caretaker and child have left their residence due to domestic or sexual violence.

4)         A caretaker and child have been deprived of the household's income as a result of domestic or sexual violence.

5)         The family is deprived of essential items of furniture and/or clothing by fire, flood or other natural disaster.

6)         The family is deprived of food as a result of fire, flood, or other disaster which does not render the family homeless and the need cannot be met through SNAP. Food cannot be authorized for replacement of lost or stolen SNAP benefits.

7)         As result of documented theft or documented loss of cash, the family is deprived of food or essential clothing.  The amount issued for lost/stolen cash cannot exceed the amount that was lost and can never exceed the amount of the monthly payment level for a family of that size.

8)         The family has non-medical needs related to essential medical care. Non-medical needs for essential medical care are needs associated with the provision of specialized or essential medical care and include the following:

A)        Food – when overnight lodging is required or when extensive travel is required during the day in order to obtain essential or specialized medical care.

B)        Lodging – when overnight lodging is required to obtain essential or specialized medical care.

C)        Transportation to the source of essential or specialized medical care when it cannot be provided by the Medical Assistance Program or some other source.  Transportation expenses for routine office visits associated with normal medical care shall not be allowed.

b)         Payment shall be made for the following items when the recipient has demonstrated a need for such an item:

1)         One month's rent;

2)         Food (minus the amount of available food stamps);

3)         Essential clothing:

A)        Essential clothing is defined as those articles of clothing appropriate for the season which the recipient would have purchased with the money which is lost or stolen;

B)        If everyone in the assistance unit has at least one full set of clothing, appropriate to the season, this allowance for clothing will not be authorized;

4)         Household supplies;

5)         Essential household furnishings; and

6)         Non-medical needs related to essential medical care.

Eligibility for non-medical needs related to essential medical care is determined through the verification of a specialized or essential medical need. The verification of a specialized or essential medical need is provided by the client's doctor.

c)         Maximum Payments

1)         Shelter Costs: One month's rent not to exceed $250.

2)         Clothing, Household Supplies

3)         Food – $5 per person per day until the receipt of the next regular payment not to exceed 30 days.

4)         Household Furnishings

A)        Kitchen table – $50 (one per assistance unit)

B)        Kitchen Chair – $10 (one per person in assistance unit)

C)        Beds – to ensure adequate sleeping facilities for all members of the assistance unit.

i)          Bed frame – $30

ii)         Single mattress and springs – $70

iii)        Double mattress and springs – $100

iv)        Bunk beds (including mattresses and springs) – $130

v)         Crib (including mattress) – $65

5)         Non-Medical Needs Related to Essential Medical Care

A)        Food – $9 a day or $3 per meal.

B)        Lodging – Lodging expenses shall be approved for the least expensive rate which provides lodging that is adequate and available to meet the individual's needs.  Payment will not be provided for a higher amount if it can be determined that lodging is available free of charge or at a lower rate.

C)        Transportation – When transportation cannot be provided by the Medical Assistance Program, transportation expenses shall be approved for the least expensive mode of transportation adequate to meet the individual's needs.  When transportation is by private automobile, the allowable rate shall be at 14 per mile.

d)         Time Limits

A decision on a request shall be made within 5 work days of the date of request.  Assistance shall be authorized within 2 work days following the decision.

e)         Assistance provided through the Crisis Assistance Program shall not be considered as income in computing the regular assistance grant, SNAP benefits, child care co-payments, and other needs-based assistance issued by the Department.

f)         Assistance is provided only if the destitution or need did not arise from a refusal, without good cause, to accept employment or training for employment.  (See 89 Ill. Adm. Code 112.)

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 1035, effective December 30, 2010)

Section 116.510  Emergency Assistance Program (Repealed)

(Source:  Repealed at 21 Ill. Reg. 15507, effective November 26, 1997)