IX. Additional Program Provisions

Benefits Delivery TANF Program benefits are delivered by means of an electronic benefit transfer system, Illinois Link. Clients may also choose to have their cash benefits directly deposited into their financial institution accounts. The Illinois Link System or the direct deposit system is mandatory for all clients who receive help in the form of cash. Training During the eligibility interview staff must give the client a Link brochure to all cash applicants and discuss the use of the Link card and the client's rights and responsibilities in regard to the card. The brochure includes the following information: Care of the Illinois Link card (e.g., protection of the magnetic stripe). How to use and secure the Illinois Link card. How to use and secure the PIN. How to make an inquiry or report a problem with a purchase or withdrawal. Helpline phone number. Use of the Helpline Service. Web site information. How to get benefit balances. Replacement card policy. How to report lost and stolen cards. Responsibilities and liabilities for reporting lost or stolen Illinois Link cards. How to get a new PIN. When discussing with customers, tell the customer to keep the card, as they will not receive a new card each month. Remind customers to use the checking option to withdraw cash benefits at ATMs. Customers can call the Illinois Link Help Line at 1-800-678-LINK (5465) or visit the Link Card website at www.link.illinois.gov to find out when they can get their benefits (availability date). Benefit Availability Date The benefit availability date is the first day the client can access their cash and/or SNAP benefits. Customers can call the Illinois Link Help Line at 1-800-678-LINK (5465) or visit the Link Card website at www.link.illinois.gov to find out when they can get their benefits (availability date). Both the helpline and website will also let them know if there are any pending benefits month and year their current SNAP approval period ends, and the current account balance. Accessing Benefits Electronically A customer who is eligible for both cash and SNAP benefits can access both benefits with one card. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) A customer can access only cash benefits at ATMs. ATMs are associated with banks. At ATM machines, customers are allowed: 2 cash withdrawals per calendar month without a transaction fee. For each withdrawal over 2, the Illinois Link system imposes a $1 transaction fee; 2 balance inquiries per calendar month without a transaction fee. For each balance inquiry over 2, the Illinois Link system imposes a 50¢ transaction fee. NOTE: A bank surcharge is not allowed on any Link transaction in Illinois. At the time an ATM transaction is requested, the balance in the account must be sufficient to cover: the requested withdrawal amount and the transaction fee (if any); or the surcharge and/or transaction fee (if any) for the balance inquiry or out-of-state transactions. If the account balance is not sufficient to allow the transaction, the transaction is rejected. The client may obtain cash or inquire about benefit balance information through a POS terminal without charge. Encourage clients to use the Illinois Link Helpline at 1-800-678-LINK or the Link Card website at www.link.illinois.gov to obtain their benefit balance and benefit availability date at no charge. Cash benefit withdrawals can be made at most ATMs statewide. To make a cash withdrawal from an ATM, the client places (or scans) the Illinois Link card in the machine, enters the PIN, selects the checking option, and enters an amount for withdrawal. Accessing Benefits Manually Key-entry transaction occurs when a Point of Sale (POS) terminal is in working order, the phone lines are operable, but the magnetic stripe of the Illinois Link card can't be read by the equipment. When the magnetic stripe of the card can't be read, the Illinois Link system allows for the manual entry of the Personal Account Number (PAN) displayed on the Illinois Link card and the Personal Identification Number (PIN). Key-entry transaction can only be done at POS terminals. It can't be done at ATM machines. Transaction Receipts SNAP and cash balance information is available from Point of Sale (POS) terminals. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) provide cash balances only. Under Illinois law, it is illegal for any ATM owner to attach surcharges to any cash transaction completed with an Illinois Link card. The Illinois Link brochure informs recipients they may withdraw cash or request a balance inquiry at an ATM two times per month before being charged a fee, and that they may avoid a fee by withdrawing cash at stores which accept the Illinois Link card and provide cash back. Back to Top

Statewide Program Uniformity Illinois will assist needy families statewide in an objective and uniform manner. The monthly income maintenance support level will be determined by the county in which the family resides. There are three groups of counties and all counties within a group use the same monthly income maintenance levels for each family size. Individual self-sufficiency planning and support services will also be universally included in the program, although local circumstances may determine the availability of some services. Back to Top

Child Support Services Link Families who apply for the Illinois TANF Program will in the same action apply for child support services. The application process will secure information pertaining to the need for paternity establishment and child support services and electronically transmit this data to the child support services component of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The child support link is vital to self-sufficiency efforts for families with children having an absent parent. A combination of child support, earnings, and the earned income tax credit are a solid foundation for a family to become independent of assistance. With the continued aggressive establishment of paternity already initiated by the Illinois Child Support Services Program, and the establishment of new hire reporting, IDHS anticipates even more families will benefit from the receipt of child and spousal support. 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. Under Illinois law, an applicant or recipient of assistance automatically assigns support rights to the State. Back to Top

Recoupment of Overpayments Families participating in the Illinois TANF Program who have received an overpayment of AFDC (prior to July 1, 1997) or TANF, and have not repaid the money, will have the overpayment recouped from the TANF payment. The recoupment amount will be limited to assure that each family has monthly income of at least 90% of the applicable assistance payment level with a $75 monthly maximum deduction. Back to Top

Native American Tribes There are no Native American tribal organizations receiving TANF Block Grant funds in Illinois. All Native Americans have access to the Illinois TANF Program equal to that of any other Illinois resident. Back to Top

EBT Use Restrictions Cash benefits may not be used in any Illinois Link transaction in any liquor store; any casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or any retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment. Clients are informed of this prohibition by means of (a) approval notices; (b) the Illinois Link brochure; and (c) posters displayed in each of the Illinois Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Centers. In addition, posters are hung in liquor stores which are not SNAP approved retailers. The Illinois Casino Gaming Association voluntarily blocks ATMs at all casinos. Clients may be subject to sanction if they violate these provisions. Back to Top