96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB1283

 

Introduced 2/10/2009, by Sen. Heather Steans

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
305 ILCS 5/3-1   from Ch. 23, par. 3-1
305 ILCS 5/3-5   from Ch. 23, par. 3-5

    Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program, eliminates a provision that financial aid for certain refugees or asylees who have become ineligible for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) shall be available until July 1, 2009. Provides that financial aid for such refugees or asylees shall be equal to 90% of the standard monthly SSI grant (instead of shall not exceed $500 per month). Effective immediately.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1283 LRB096 04883 DRJ 14949 b

1     AN ACT concerning public aid.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by
5 changing Sections 3-1 and 3-5 as follows:
 
6     (305 ILCS 5/3-1)  (from Ch. 23, par. 3-1)
7     Sec. 3-1. Eligibility Requirements. Financial aid in
8 meeting basic maintenance requirements for a livelihood
9 compatible with health and well-being shall be given under this
10 Article to or in behalf of aged, blind, or disabled persons who
11 meet the eligibility conditions of Sections 3-1.1 through
12 3-1.7. Financial aid under this Article shall be available only
13 for persons who are receiving Supplemental Security Income
14 (SSI) or who have been found ineligible for SSI (i) on the
15 basis of income or (ii) due to expiration of the period of
16 eligibility for refugees and asylees pursuant to 8 U.S.C.
17 1612(a)(2). Financial aid based on item (ii) of this paragraph
18 shall be available until July 1, 2009.
19     "Aged person" means a person who has attained age 65, as
20 demonstrated by such evidence of age as the Illinois Department
21 may by rule prescribe.
22     "Blind person" means a person who has no vision or whose
23 vision with corrective glasses is so defective as to prevent

 

 

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1 the performance of ordinary duties or tasks for which eyesight
2 is essential. The Illinois Department shall define blindness in
3 terms of ophthalmic measurements or ocular conditions. For
4 purposes of this Act, an Illinois Disabled Person
5 Identification Card issued pursuant to The Illinois
6 Identification Card Act, indicating that the person thereon
7 named has a Type 3 disability shall be evidence that such
8 person is a blind person within the meaning of this Section;
9 however, such a card shall not qualify such person for aid as a
10 blind person under this Act, and eligibility for aid as a blind
11 person shall be determined as provided in this Act.
12     "Disabled person" means a person age 18 or over who has a
13 physical or mental impairment, disease, or loss which is of a
14 permanent nature and which substantially impairs his ability to
15 perform labor or services or to engage in useful occupations
16 for which he is qualified, as determined by rule and regulation
17 of the Illinois Department. For purposes of this Act, an
18 Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card issued pursuant
19 to The Illinois Identification Card Act, indicating that the
20 person thereon named has a Type 1 or 2, Class 2 disability
21 shall be evidence that such person is a disabled person under
22 this Section; however, such a card shall not qualify such
23 person for aid as a disabled person under this Act, and
24 eligibility for aid as a disabled person shall be determined as
25 provided in this Act. If federal law or regulation permit or
26 require the inclusion of blind or disabled persons whose

 

 

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1 blindness or disability is not of the degree specified in the
2 foregoing definitions, or permit or require the inclusion of
3 disabled persons under age 18 or aged persons under age 65, the
4 Illinois Department, upon written approval of the Governor, may
5 provide by rule that all aged, blind or disabled persons toward
6 whose aid federal funds are available be eligible for
7 assistance under this Article as is given to those who meet the
8 foregoing definitions of blind person and disabled person or
9 aged person.
10 (Source: P.A. 93-741, eff. 7-15-04; 94-918, eff. 6-26-06.)
 
11     (305 ILCS 5/3-5)  (from Ch. 23, par. 3-5)
12     Sec. 3-5. Amount of aid. The amount and nature of financial
13 aid granted to or in behalf of aged, blind, or disabled persons
14 shall be determined in accordance with the standards, grant
15 amounts, rules and regulations of the Illinois Department. Due
16 regard shall be given to the requirements and conditions
17 existing in each case, and to the amount of property owned and
18 the income, money contributions, and other support, and
19 resources received or obtainable by the person, from whatever
20 source. However, the amount and nature of any financial aid is
21 not affected by the payment of any grant under the "Senior
22 Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and
23 Pharmaceutical Assistance Act" or any distributions or items of
24 income described under subparagraph (X) of paragraph (2) of
25 subsection (a) of Section 203 of the Illinois Income Tax Act.

 

 

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1 The aid shall be sufficient, when added to all other income,
2 money contributions and support, to provide the person with a
3 grant in the amount established by Department regulation for
4 such a person, based upon standards providing a livelihood
5 compatible with health and well-being. Financial aid under this
6 Article granted to persons who have been found ineligible for
7 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to expiration of the
8 period of eligibility for refugees and asylees pursuant to 8
9 U.S.C. 1612(a)(2) shall be equal to 90% of the standard monthly
10 SSI grant not exceed $500 per month.
11 (Source: P.A. 93-741, eff. 7-15-04.)
 
12     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
13 becoming law.