SB3436 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 36217 KTG 66310 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3436

Introduced 2/8/2024, by Sen. David Koehler

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/3-5

from Ch. 23, par. 3-5

Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the General Assembly finds it necessary to take measures to increase the amount of cash assistance provided to qualifying Illinoisans under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program to reach a standard compatible with health and well-being. Provides that the amount of AABD aid granted to a person shall be determined by the Department of Human Services in such a manner as to produce assistance payments that bring the person's total monthly income from countable sources, as determined by the Department, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, if applicable, and AABD aid to an amount that is: (i) no less than 85% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2024; (ii) no less than 90% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2025; (iii) no less than 95% of the federal poverty level for the month aid is paid, beginning July 1, 2026; and (iv) no less than 100% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid, beginning on and after July 1, 2027. Provides that the amendatory Act shall not result in any reduction in the amount of aid payable to a person determined eligible for aid prior to July 1, 2024. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. References to Act. This Act may be referred to as the AABD Cash Amendments of 2024.

Section 2. Findings. The General Assembly finds that it is necessary to take measures to increase the amount of cash assistance provided to qualifying Illinoisans under the Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled program to reach a standard compatible with health and well-being.

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Section 3-5 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/3-5) (from Ch. 23, par. 3-5)

Sec. 3-5. Amount of aid.

(a) The amount and nature of financial aid granted to or in behalf of aged, blind, or disabled persons shall be determined in accordance with the standards, grant amounts, rules and regulations of the Illinois Department. Due regard shall be given to the requirements and conditions existing in each case, and to the amount of property owned and the income, money contributions, and other support, and resources received or obtainable by the person, from whatever source. However, the amount and nature of any financial aid is not affected by the payment of any grant under the "Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act" or any distributions or items of income described under subparagraph (X) of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 203 of the Illinois Income Tax Act. The aid shall be sufficient, when added to all other income, money contributions and support, to provide the person with a grant in the amount established by Department regulation for such a person, based upon standards providing a livelihood compatible with health and well-being. Financial aid under this Article granted to persons who have been found ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to expiration of the period of eligibility for refugees and asylees pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1612(a)(2) shall equal 90% of the current maximum SSI payment amount per month.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2024, the amount of financial aid granted to a person under this Article shall be determined by the Illinois Department in such a manner as to produce assistance payments that bring the person's total monthly income from countable sources, as determined by the Department, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, if applicable, and financial aid provided under this Article to an amount that is no less than the following:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2024, total monthly income, including financial aid provided under this Article, shall be no less than 85% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid.

(2) Beginning July 1, 2025, total monthly income, including financial aid provided under this Article, shall be no less than 90% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid.

(3) Beginning July 1, 2026, total monthly income, including financial aid provided under this Article, shall be no less than 95% of the federal poverty level for the month aid is paid.

(4) Beginning on and after July 1, 2027, total monthly income, including financial aid provided under this Article, shall be no less than 100% of the federal poverty level in effect for the month aid is paid.

The provisions of this Section shall not result in any reduction in the amount of aid payable to a person determined eligible for aid prior to July 1, 2024.

As used in this subsection, "federal poverty level" means the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

(Source: P.A. 97-689, eff. 6-14-12; 98-674, eff. 6-30-14.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2024.