Section 117.60  Substitute Parental Care/Supplemental Child Care – TANF and AABD

a)         Substitute Parental Care/Supplemental Child Care

1)         Subject to prior approval, payment shall be authorized by the Department for Substitute Parental/Supplemental Child Care when there is a need for child care because of the absence from the home or incapacity of the child's caretaker.  Prior approval consists of verification of the need based on a statement from the client's physician or law enforcement officials.  When prior approval cannot be obtained due to emergency hospitalization or the incarceration of the caretaker, payment shall be authorized if the request is received within 10 calendar days after the caretaker's release from the hospital or incarceration.

2)         Payment shall not be made to:

A)        Individuals living in the home with the caretaker and child, or

B)        A responsible relative (as defined in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 103.10(b)(2)) of the caretaker or child.

b)         Substitute Parental Care

1)         Substitute parental care is care and supervision provided to children by an individual when the caretaker is required to be absent from the home for a period of 24 hours or more.  Reasons for substitute parental care shall include but are not limited to hospitalization or incarceration.  The substitute parent is not a day care provider.

2)         The Department shall authorize payment up to $25 per day.  When substitute parental care is provided at no costs, day care is paid only during the hours of the substitute parent's absence for reasons of employment, education or training.  Day Care payment rates as established by the Department of Children and Family Services are applicable for Public Aid purposes.  This type of care shall be provided for no more than 30 days.  However, if the client documents (i.e., through a doctor's statement or social service agency statement) that care was needed for a longer period of time, payment shall be authorized.

c)         Supplemental Child Care

1)         Supplemental child care is care needed for less than 24 hours when the child's caretaker is in the home but incapacitated.

2)         Supplemental child care is provided when a physician, psychiatrist or psychologist verifies that, due to illness or incapacity, the child's caretaker is unable to provide care and supervision of the child.

3)         Maximum Payment Amounts and Types of Tasks Provided to the Child and/or the Caretaker

            Payment is limited to the following tasks and will be allowed up to $3.35 per hour:

A)        Meal Preparation – Maximum 1 hour per meal

            Grocery shopping; preparation of meals; service of meals (to include incapacitated caretaker and infant); and dishwashing and cleanup.

B)        Personal Care – Maximum 7 hours per week

            Assistance with bathing and shampooing hair; assistance with dental care; assistance with care and diapering of infants; and assistance with dressing.

C)        Laundry – Maximum 3 hours per week

            Washing clothing and linens; and folding and storing clothes and linens.

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 1884, effective February 4, 2013)