SECTION 2 - CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

I. Eligibility COVID-19 - Procedures implemented April 2020 through the National Pandemic Emergency include: Telephone interviews, Client Statement acceptance for certain eligibility verifications after good faith effort, and verbal attestation accepted for written signatures on applications (Illinois Executive Order 2020-20). Other COVID-19 policy changes are noted in relevant sections of this Plan. Due to the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, and per policy June 23, 2023, Good Cause due to COVID-19 is no longer an accepted exemption for failure to participate in TANF W&T activities. Families Families must contain at least one eligible child under the age of 18, or under the age of 19 if attending secondary school full time and may contain no more than two adult caretakers who are related to the children. All siblings residing in the home, including half siblings of children included in the assistance unit, must be included in the assistance unit. Parents of the children living with them must be included in the assistance family unit, and their income must be considered when determining eligibility and assistance levels. Other related caretakers may choose to be included in or excluded from the assisted family unit if they have insufficient income to support themselves according to agency standards. They are not required to be included. Pregnant women and, if living in the home, their husbands, with no children in the home, may be eligible upon application and verification of her pregnancy. To be eligible a child must live with a caretaker adult related to the child to the fifth degree of consanguinity. Children and their married minor parent(s) under age 18 living with the minor parent's parents will be considered separate family units from their parents and siblings. If both legal parents are living with the children, one or both are minors, and they are not married, they will be considered a separate family unit even if living with the children's grandparents. An unmarried parent under the age of 18 and the minor's children will be included in any existing assistance unit of the minor parent's parents if all three generations are living together. Back to Top Minor Parents Unmarried parents under the age of 18 and their children living with them will be assisted only if residing with their parent, legal guardian or other adult relative, or in an adult supervised arrangement as identified in Section 408(a)(5) of the Social Security Act. The unmarried parent may receive assistance for up to six months while an adult-supervised living arrangement is located. Families headed by unmarried parents under age 18 are exempted from this requirement if the adult parents or guardians are deceased or their whereabouts are unknown, the minor or a child's physical or emotional health or safety would be in danger living with the adult parent or guardian, or the adult parents or guardians will not allow the minor parent and child to live with them. The State of Illinois also finds it is in the best interest of the minor parent and child(ren) to waive this requirement when the minor parent has lived apart from the parent or guardian for at least one year before the child's birth or applying for the Illinois TANF Program, or the minor has one of the following good causes to live apart from the parent or guardian: the parent or guardian lives out of State, is living in an institution, or is addicted to drugs or alcohol; the minor's return to the parent's or guardian's home would violate their lease or local health or safety standards; the minor has been placed in an independent living program by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; or the minor is participating in a licensed substance abuse treatment program which would not be available if living in the parent's or guardian's home. The five-year time limit on receipt of assistance does not apply to minor parents under age 18. Minor parents under age 20, married or unmarried, with no child under the age of 12 weeks must attend school unless they have successfully completed high school or have a GED certificate. Back to Top Disabled Persons Individuals who receive disability benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI),Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Black Lung, based on their disability are not eligible for TANF cash assistance if the benefit level equals or exceeds the difference in the payment level between the individual being included or excluded in the assistance payment. For example, a family of four including one adult has a payment level of $875 and a family of three children has a payment level of $544. If the disability payment exceeds the difference of $331, the individual is not eligible to be included in the TANF payment. However, the disability income up to the SSI level for an individual with no other income is disregarded when determining the TANF eligibility and payment amount for the other family members. The preceding paragraphs also apply to individuals receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration based on a 100% disability. Back to Top Temporary Absence from the Home Assistance for a child may be continued if the child is temporarily absent from the home for a period not to exceed three months. The absence of the child may exceed three months and not affect eligibility if the child is hospitalized or attending school and all the following criteria are met: the caretaker relative retains primary responsibility for the child's welfare, the child considers the relative's home to be the child's permanent residence, the child was not removed from the home by court order, and the child has not been placed in an IDHS Individual Care Program. The child's absence does not affect eligibility if the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services certifies the child will shortly be returned to the home. In no instance are children eligible to receive assistance concurrently in more than one case. TANF eligibility is not affected whenever the caretaker relative is temporarily absent from the home for a period that does not exceed three months. Back to Top Residence Families assisted by the Illinois TANF Program must be residents of Illinois. Illinois residence is established by living in the State and having no current intent to leave. Illinois does not treat families moving into the State from other states differently than other families. The rental or ownership of a home is not required for the establishment of residence. Those without a fixed permanent home are Illinois residents if staying within the State with no intent to leave. If a family is homeless the Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP) will focus on helping to stabilize the housing situation. Back to Top Citizenship Status TANF cash assistance in Illinois will be available to citizens of the United States and to the noncitizens specified below with any applicable limitations. People who entered the United States before August 22, 1996 and currently are legally admitted for permanent residence. People lawfully admitted for permanent residence who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, who have resided in the United States for a period of five years beginning on the date the person obtained qualified alien status. There are limited exceptions to this as detailed in some of the categories described below. Refugees under Section 207 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA). Asylees under Section 208 of the INA. A Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in Section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980. Amerasians from Vietnam and their close family members who are issued an immigrant visa and departed from Vietnam on or after March 22, 1988. Hmongs or Highland Laotians Those whose deportation is being withheld under Section 243(h) of INA, (as in effect before April 1, 1997) or section 241(b)(3) of the INA. Those paroled under Section 212(d)(5) of the INA for at least one year and who entered the United States before August 22, 1996. Those paroled under Section 212(d)(5) of the INA for at least one year who entered the United States on or after August 22,1996 and have resided in the United States for five years beginning on the date the person obtained qualified alien status. Those granted conditional entry under Section 203(a)(7) of the INA as it existed prior to April 1, 1980. Those meeting the veteran and active-duty exceptions specified in Sec. 403(b)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). Abused noncitizens who meet the definition in Section 431 of Public Law 104-193. Noncitizens certified by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as trafficking victims. Iraqi or Afghan immigrants with special immigrant status under Section 101(a)(27) of the INA. Noncitizens who receive TANF will participate fully in the program. The same benefits and services available to others will be provided to eligible noncitizens. Back to Top Felons Probation and parole violators and fugitive felons will not be assisted. Beginning 10/01/2021 (Illinois Public Act 102-0178) persons convicted of a Class X or Class 1 felony for an act occurring after August 21, 1996, involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance under Illinois or comparable Federal law are no longer ineligible to receive TANF. Additionally, persons who have been convicted of any other drug related felony under Illinois or Federal law are no longer ineligible to receive TANF for two years following date of conviction. An individual convicted in State or Federal court of misrepresenting an address to receive assistance from programs funded by the TANF grant, Title XIX, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, or the Supplemental Security Income Program in two or more states is ineligible to participate in the Illinois TANF Program for a ten-year period beginning with the date of conviction. Back to Top Assets A family's assets are not considered in the determination of TANF eligibility. Back to Top Income Eligibility In order to receive cash payments under the Illinois TANF Program, a family's countable income must be below the applicable Assistance Payment Level. An earnings disregard will be applied at application in the amount of the difference between the Assistance Payment Level and 50% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for the applicable family size. Applicants will not be eligible if the monthly income, less the earnings disregard (if applicable), exceeds the Assistance Payment Level. Applicants for TANF will not have three of every four dollars earned exempted when determining eligibility. Families already found eligible for assistance who are working will remain eligible until their earned income, minus the earned income disregard, plus their unearned income is greater than the appropriate Assistance Payment Level. The earned income disregard is three of every four dollars earned, i.e., only one-fourth of the gross earnings are considered when determining eligibility and assistance payment amounts. Beginning 07/01/2024 under Public Act 102-1115, the Illinois Department of Health & Family Services, Child Support Services will pass all child support through to the family. This includes current support, past support owed, or future support that is collected on or after 01/01/2023. All child support passed through to the family will be disregarded in determining the amount of the TANF grant provided to the family. All earnings of children receiving assistance are disregarded. Payments based on the disability status of a parent in the home are disregarded in amounts up to the Supplemental Security Income payment level for one person with no income. This disregard is applied to disability benefits from Social Security, Railroad Retirement, Veterans' Administration (if the disability is 100%), and Black Lung. Unearned income from sources specified as exempt from consideration by law is disregarded when determining eligibility and payment amounts. These sources include the following: The value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The value of the U.S. Department of Agriculture donated foods (surplus commodities). The value of home produce of an applicant or recipient intended for personal consumption. The value of supplemental food assistance provided under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 as amended, and the special food service program for children under the National School Lunch Act as amended. Any benefits received under Title VII, Nutrition Program for the Elderly, of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. Any payment received under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Any payments distributed per capita or held in trust for members of any Indian Tribe under Public Law 92-254, Public Law 93-134, Public Law 94-114 or Public Law 94-540. Tax-exempt portions of payments issued pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Any compensation provided individual volunteers under the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Program. Payments for supporting services or reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses made to volunteers serving as senior health aides, senior companions, foster grandparents, and persons serving in the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and Active Corps of Executives (ACE) and any other programs under Titles II and III, pursuant to section 418 of Public Law 93-113. Income received under the provisions of the Illinois Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. This includes both the benefits commonly known as the circuit breaker and "additional grants." Cash which is exchanged for purposes of satisfying payment of shelter-related obligations in situations where the assistance unit shares a dwelling unit with another family or individual(s). Social Security death benefit expended on a funeral and/or burial. Federally subsidized housing payments under Section 8 of the Housing and Community Development Act. Payments from the principal or interest of a trust fund made to or on behalf of a child in the assistance unit when the court orders the money released for a specific purpose other than the income maintenance needs of the child. Any adoption subsidy payment or foster care payment received from the Department of Children and Family Services or from a state welfare agency of another state. Supportive service payments. Unearned income, i.e., needs-based payments, cash assistance, compensation in lieu of wages and allowances received under the Workforce Investment Act. The amount of the child support passed through to the client. Up to $50.00 of inconsequential income per recipient per calendar quarter. Any payment received under Title I of Public Law 100-383 of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Any payment received under Title II of Public Law 100-383 of the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands Restitution Act. Payments made to veterans who receive an annual disability payment or to the survivors of deceased veterans who receive a one-time lump sum payment from the Agent Orange Settlement Fund or any other fund referencing Agent Orange product liability under Public Law 101-201. Payment received under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Public Law 101-426). Any payment provided under the Family Assistance Program for Mentally Disabled Children. Emergency Financial Assistance vendor payments provided by a local government public assistance program. Any disaster relief payment made by Federal, State, or local government or by a disaster assistance group. A non-recurring lump sum SSI payment (e.g., Zebley payment). Benefits paid under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 pursuant to Section 2605(f) of Public Law 97-35. Payments to a member of the Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians pursuant to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980. Up to $2,000 per year of income received by individual Indians, which is derived from leases or other uses of individually owned trust or restricted lands pursuant to Section 13736 of PL. 103-66. German Reparations Payments to certain survivors of the Holocaust under the German Restitution Act. Loans, except loans from individuals who are legally responsible relatives. Reimbursements for employment expenses. Rickey Ray payments. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. Payments received for participation in a program or research project whose purpose is to investigate the impacts of policies and programs designed to reduce poverty, promote social mobility, or increase financial stability (Public Act 101-0415). Unearned income from other sources is considered dollar for dollar when determining eligibility and assistance payment levels. A spouse of a caretaker relative, who has no children of his/her own in the TANF unit, is not required to be included in the TANF unit. If he/she chooses to be included, his/her income must be budgeted against the entire TANF unit. His/her income is considered the same as the income of any other assistance unit member. If he/she chooses to be excluded, his/her income must still be budgeted against the needs of his/her spouse only. If the stepparent is not included in the assistance payment the total income for the month is determined and the following deductions are made: self-employment business expenses, and a "per-person" share for the excluded spouse and for any dependents of either spouse living in the home who are not included in the TANF unit. The "per person" share is based on the payment level size for the following persons: TANF clients included in the case, the excluded spouse, and any dependents of either spouse who are not included in the TANF unit. The remaining amount is deemed available to the assistance unit and deducted from the Assistance Payment Level. Lump sum payments are considered as income in the month received. COVID-19 - Pandemic Unemployment Benefits (Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation) and the Pandemic Stimulus funds through the CARES Act are considered exempt income beginning April 2020 through the National Pandemic Emergency. COVID-19- Due to the health emergency, a $500.00 stipend payment was approved for all active TANF cases for the month of June 2020. This stipend is considered a lump sum and exempt to all programs. COVID-19- Due to the monies received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the creation of the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF), TANF cases active in August 2021 received a one-time payment of $250. The stipend is a lump sum and exempt for TANF and select SNAP households with dependent children with no reported income in August of 2021. COVID-19- Due to monies received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the creation of the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF). TANF cases with dependent children and active in August 2023 received a $80.00 on time lump sum payment. Back to Top Payment levels The Payment Levels are flat, monthly standard amounts and are established for all counties. The amount for an assistance unit is based on the number in the assistance unit and the presence of an adult in the assistance unit. The TANF payment amounts shall be apportioned so that 75% of the grant will be designated for the child or children of the assistance unit and 25% shall be designated for the adult member or members of the assistance unit. Monthly Assistance Payment Levels (Effective 10/01/2024) Size of Unit Adult and Child(ren) Child(ren) Only 1 $439 $329 2 596 447 3 753 565 4 910 683 5 1067 800 6 1224 918 7 1381 1036 8 1538 1154 9 1695 1271 10 1852 1389 11 2008 1506 12 2165 1624 13 2322 1742 14 2479 1859 15 2636 1977 16 2793 1859 17 2950 2213 18 3107 2330 Earned income is reported semi-annually. Working families receiving TANF will file a report of earned income following the end of the fifth month of each six-month period. Paystubs for amounts received during the fifth month are submitted with the report. The report and paystubs will be used as a basis to forecast earnings and hours for the following six months and to determine the amount of earnings to be considered for reducing the assistance payment. The monthly countable earnings projected will not be changed unless the family reports a change. If the client reports that the job has ended, earnings will stop being deducted for the month after the last paycheck is received. This system brings stability to the family's assistance payment and aligns reporting requirements with SNAP. Back to Top Employment and Child Support Requirement TANF will not be provided to families if an adult refuses, without good cause, to be available for work or refuses, without good cause, to pursue child support services. In the first 30 days after application, individuals are expected to work toward stabilizing their family situation and are not required to engage in work activities. Once approved, if they fail to cooperate with an aspect of the Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP) or fail to cooperate with a child support services activity without good cause, the progressive sanction policy contained in Article VII of this Plan will apply. Individuals who have been cooperative in employment and child support activities and subsequently state they are not available for work or will not cooperate with child support services and good cause is not present are subject to the provisions of this Topic. If good cause exists for failing to cooperate with the RSP or with a child support services activity, a cash penalty or sanction will not be imposed. A statement refusing to participate in child support activities without good cause during the application process results in family ineligibility. For an active client, failure to follow an RSP with no verbal refusal to participate in either the employment or child support programs is a circumstance subject to the sanction provisions contained in Article VII of this Plan. When an individual maintains, without good cause, an inability or refusal to be available for work activities or child support services, an explanation of the consequences is provided. If, after receiving the explanation, the client continues non-participation, existing benefits will be terminated. All denial or termination actions based on this policy will be reviewed by a higher administrative level to assure proper application of the policy. Back to Top Personal Responsibility Responsibility and Services Plan All adults and minor parents applying for or receiving assistance will be required to sign a Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP) and follow through with its provisions. The RSP will be periodically updated, and staff will monitor the family's progress and compliance. The goal of each person's RSP is to obtain the skills needed to become employed. Based on the Family Assessment, the RSP may include assignment to core and non-core work and training activities, as well as address child immunization, appropriate school attendance, family well-being, and economic self-support goals. Sanctions, i.e., the reduction of assistance, are included in the program as a tool to enforce the importance of adhering to the activities and goals in the RSP. However, a sanction will not be imposed if good cause exists for the failure to adhere to the RSP. The failure of the Department to make available a supportive service agreed upon in the RSP as necessary for complying with the RSP is always considered good cause. COVID-19 - During the National Pandemic Emergency, Responsibility and Service Plans are temporarily postponed beginning April 2020. Beginning 10/01/2021 Responsibility and Service Plans are required. School Attendance TANF families shall be subject to the School Attendance Initiative. The Initiative is a partnership among IDHS, Community-Based Organizations (CBO), and local elementary and middle schools that choose to participate. The schools define initial indicators of truancy and refer the family to a CBO for services designed to improve the child's attendance. If the family fails to participate in the CBO program or attendance fails to improve, the assistance payment is directed to an alternate payee for its management. If the truant behavior is not corrected within three months, the family is subject to the sanction provisions in Topic VII of this Plan. Child Support Parents will be required to cooperate in establishing paternity for children born out-of- wedlock and in securing child support services. Back to Top 60- Month Time Limit Families containing an adult head of household or a spouse of the head of household who has received TANF for 60 months may no longer receive benefits unless eligible for an exception in Section II.M below. This is both a Federal and State limit. TANF benefits, which include Federal block grant funds, received in other states and/or in non-continuous months are applied to the 60-month limitation. The following families are in a Solely State-Funded program that is not reported as Maintenance of Effort (MOE): two-parent families; refugees; pregnant women with no other children living with them; and a parent with a child under age one. a work-eligible individual who is not employed and is not assigned to Work Experience, Community Service, Vocational Education, or a Bachelor Degree Program; and a work-eligible individual in their first month of TANF eligibility. The 60-month time limit applies to all families including those funded in a Separate State Program, unless they meet one of the following exceptions: Assistance provided to families with one adult able to work with 30 hours of earnings per week will be provided from State funds (reported as MOE) only and will not be counted against the 60-month limit. Assistance provided to families with both parents present and able to work with 35 hours of earnings per week will be provided from State funds (not reported as MOE) only and will not be counted against the 60-month limit. Assistance provided to families headed by minor parents will also be provided by State funds (reported as MOE) only and not counted against the 60-month limit. Assistance provided to single parent families where the parent is in an approved full-time post-secondary degree program and is maintaining a 2.5 cumulative grade point (on a 4.0 scale) will be paid from State funds (reported as MOE) only and will not be counted against the 60-month limit. Assistance provided to families who care for a child approved under the Home and Community-Based Care Program waiver will be paid from State funds (reported as MOE) only and will not be counted against the 60-month limit. Assistance provided to families where the single parent provides care to a child under age 18 with medical problems, or where one adult provides care to his or her spouse with medical problems and where the demands of care giving do not allow the caregiver to obtain or retain employment of 30 hours per week, will be paid from State funds (reported as MOE) and will not count against the 60-month limit. Assistance provided to families where the parent is approved for a Domestic Violence Exclusion will not be counted against the 60-month limit. Applicants for the Illinois TANF Program will be orally informed of the time limits and will be provided with a clearly written explanation of them. Back to Top Exceptions to the Time Limit Families containing an adult head of household or a spouse of the head of household who has received TANF for 60 months may receive additional months of TANF cash assistance only if they meet one of the exceptions listed below: The client has an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pending at the Social Security Administration and IDHS determines the client is probably eligible for SSI. If the client is in the appeal stage of the SSI application, there must be legal or advocacy representation, unless the client can show legal representation is unavailable. IDHS determines that the client has a medical condition which prevents the client from obtaining or retaining employment of at least 30 hours per week. The client is in an approved education and training program, which will be completed in six months or less after the client's 60th month. The client is in an intensive service program to help overcome a barrier to work, including but not limited to programs under mental health, substance abuse, vocational rehabilitation, domestic violence, homeless services and involvement with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. An exception to the 60-month limit will be granted for this reason only if the client's involvement in the program precludes the ability to obtain or retain employment of at least 30 hours per week. The client has a severely disabled child approved for a waiver under the Home and Community-Based Care Program. The client is the only adult in the assistance unit and is the primary caregiver for a child under age 18 with a physical or mental health problem(s), or is the primary caregiver for his or her spouse who has a physical or mental health problem(s) and the demands of caregiving do not allow the caregiver to obtain or retain employment that would satisfy the criteria in Section II.L which allows a month to not be counted towards the 60-month limit. The client must request an exception in writing. A written request for an exception may be filed at any time and will be required if the client makes a new application for TANF after the 60-month limit has been exhausted. The client will be informed of the decision on the request in writing. IDHS will periodically review each case to determine if it still meets the criteria for an exception. When IDHS determines the client is no longer eligible for an exception, the client will be notified in writing and will be provided an additional three (3) months of TANF eligibility. Back to Top Other Eligibility Factors The following requirements must be met to participate in the Illinois TANF Cash Assistance Program: Each member of the assistance unit must provide IDHS with the individual's Social Security number or provide proof of application for a Social Security number. The family must cooperate in securing support for a child whose parent is absent from the home. The family must take all reasonable steps to produce documentation and information needed to establish eligibility and the payment amount. The family's potential TANF eligibility may not result from a strike. A family's TANF payment will not increase as a result of a strike. Families with strikers may receive TANF if they would have been eligible immediately before the strike began. Workers locked out of a worksite are not considered strikers even if the lockout is a response to a strike. The family must report the departure of any family member from the home. Back to Top Application Disposition and Initial Date of Eligibility All applications for TANF are to have a disposition made within 45 days. If the family is eligible the assistance begins on the 30th day after the date of application. Back to Top Redetermination of Eligibility Every effort will be made to complete a redetermination of eligibility timely and accurately in accordance with Federal guidelines. COVID-19 - TANF Redeterminations due in March 2020 through September 2020 are extended by six months. Decision made to allow state agency to focus on initial applications for assistance. Changes are implemented in April and TANF cases that canceled for April due to not submitting a Redetermination Report are reinstated with extension allowed. COVID-19 - TANF Redeterminations continued to be extended for six months for cases due for redeterminations October 2020 through February 2021. Beginning March 2021 cases due for a Redetermination will be required to comply with the Redetermination process. Back to Top

II. Program Model Illinois will provide self-sufficiency activities for adults and minor parents in accordance with the following model subject to the availability of limited resources. All adult clients and teen parents are assessed. The family assessment serves as a basis for creation of the RSP, and the monitoring of the progress of the individual in fulfilling the activities of the RSP is used to identify when an individual is ready to engage in work. Based on this assessment of the client's self-sufficiency strengths and barriers the client will be referred for participation and/or treatment. Clients for whom barriers to employment are identified through the assessment process will be referred for services or treatment and will be required to follow up as a condition of eligibility. Clients who are identified as having substance abuse problems which prevent them from maintaining successful employment will be referred for treatment. Clients who do not participate in treatment will be subject to sanction. Clients with a high school education or recent work experience will be referred to local services for job ready clients and will be assigned to job search. Clients who are determined not job ready will be assisted in the identification of barriers to employment and provision of services to eliminate those barriers. Clients in need of additional services will be referred to the appropriate provider. Supportive services will be provided for any client who's approved RSP requires such services. Supportive services include childcare, transportation, books, fees (e.g., lab or registration), supplies, employment or participation expenses, $20 per month for job search participants, and a $20 per month payment to individuals in work experience, or community service to help cover additional expenses. Supportive services of transportation, employment expenses, costs of books and fees will be provided to clients in accordance with their RSP. Childcare will be provided via the State's Child Care Program which is funded, in part, by the Federal Child Care and Development Fund. Services in general will be available Statewide. However, each area of the State within IDHS and the community will be asked to develop, coordinate, and target resources needed to serve the population in the area. Partnerships will be developed with the Workforce Investment Area (WIA) program, adult education providers, community colleges, employment and training centers, community-based organizations, and substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence providers to develop a comprehensive service delivery system for the TANF population. Back to Top

III. Work and Training Participation Requirements Work Eligible Individuals - Exclusions A work eligible individual is an adult receiving cash assistance under the TANF Program or under a Separate State Program for whom Maintenance of Effort (MOE) expenses are claimed or a non-recipient parent living with a child receiving assistance, unless the individual is excluded. Work eligible individuals are included in the Federal work participation rate. The following individuals are excluded as work eligible individuals and are not included in the Federal work participation rate: A minor parent who is receiving TANF as a child and is not the head of the household and not the spouse of the head of the household. A parent in a family when only children are receiving TANF benefits and the parent is an alien who is ineligible to receive assistance due to his or her immigration status (as outlined in Section II.F of this Plan). A parent providing care for a disabled family member living in the home who does not attend school on a full-time basis. A non-recipient parent who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Back to Top Individuals Excluded from the Federal Participation Rate (Receiving assistance under a Solely State Funded Program for whom MOE expenses are not claimed) The following individuals who receive assistance under a Solely State Funded Program for whom MOE expenses are not claimed are excluded from the Federal work participation rate: A parent with a child under age one; A refugee; Two-parent families where both parents are medically able to work; A pregnant woman who has no other dependent children living with her; A work-eligible individual who is not employed and is not assigned to Work Experience, Community Service, Vocational Education, or a Bachelor Degree Program; and A work-eligible individual in their first month of TANF eligibility. A parent with a child underage one is exempt from participating in work and training activities per Illinois State law (305 ILCS 5/9A-4). The other individuals receiving assistance under a Solely State Funded Program for whom MOE expenses are not claimed may be required to participate in work and training activities. Back to Top Individuals Included in the Federal Participation Rate but Exempt from Work Participation Requirement Individuals aged sixty or older who receive assistance under TANF or under a Separate State Program for whom Maintenance of Effort (MOE) expenses are claimed are included in the Federal work participation rate but are excluded from the work participation requirement per State policy. Back to Top

IV. Work and Training Activities Unsubsidized Employment Unsubsidized employment is full or part-time employment in the public or private sector where the employer is not subsidized by the TANF Program or any other public program. Self- employment is included as unsubsidized employment and includes farming, sales, small business, domestic work, and providing child care. Back to Top Subsidized Employment Subsidized employment is paid employment in the private or public sector for which the employer receives a subsidy from public funds to offset some or all of the wages and costs of employment. The purpose of subsidized employment is to increase the employability of the client by providing needed work experience that will help transition the client to unsubsidized employment. Back to Top Work Experience Work experience is a work activity that is performed in return for TANF and SNAP benefits. Partnerships with individual employers are created to provide individuals with experience in a work setting to develop work skills while receiving their TANF assistance. Back to Top Work First - Program deleted 07/01/2021 TANF participants assigned to Work First will be assigned to Job Placement. Back to Top Community Service Community Service is a structured program of activities in which the client performs work for the direct benefit of the community. Community Service programs serve a useful community purpose in fields of health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety, and child care. The goal of Community Services is to improve the employability of a client. Back to Top Vocational Education Vocational education training is an organized educational program that is directly related to the preparation of an individual for a specific occupation that requires training other than a bachelor's or advanced degree. Vocational education programs are provided by vocational- technical schools and may also include degree or certificate programs based in secondary schools but may not consist of secondary school training. Vocational education programs may also be provided by postsecondary educational institutions. Clients may participate in vocational education for up to 12 months without a work requirement. Back to Top Job Search and Job Readiness Activities Job Search is the act of seeking or obtaining employment. Job Readiness is the preparation necessary for a person to seek or obtain employment. Job Readiness includes barrier reduction services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, and rehabilitation activities. Back to Top Job Skills Training Job Skills training is training or education for job skills required by an employer to provide an individual with the ability to obtain employment or to advance or adapt to the changing demands of the workplace. Job Skills training may be customized training for a specific employer or specific employment. It may also include participation in training or retraining that develops or enhances skills in the areas of writing, reading, math, oral and written business communication, or new industry technology. Back to Top Education Directly Related to Employment Education directly related to employment, in the case of a client who has not received a high school diploma or GED, means education related to a specific occupation, job, or job offer. This includes adult basic education, English as a Second Language, and GED classes where required as a prerequisite for employment. Back to Top Satisfactory Attendance at Secondary School Secondary school attendance is an education program for teen parents age 19 or younger who have not completed secondary school or received their GED. It includes enrollment in a secondary school, a course of study leading to a GED or a basic remedial education. Back to Top Bachelor's Degree Program An individual with his/her high school diploma or GED may be approved for participation in a Bachelor's Degree program. The degree program must be administered by an educational institution accredited under requirements of State law. Factors to consider when determining whether a Bachelor's Degree program is appropriate include, but are not limited to, the client's educational and work history, his/her aptitude for further education, his/her career goal, his/her ability to finance tuition and other expenses not provided by IDHS, and his/her ability to arrange transportation, child care, and other family obligations. Back to Top