HB5889eng 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5889 Engrossed LRB093 16771 DRJ 46877 b

AN ACT concerning public aid.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Sections 3-1 and 3-5 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/3-1) (from Ch. 23, par. 3-1)

Sec. 3-1. Eligibility Requirements. Financial aid in meeting basic maintenance requirements for a livelihood compatible with health and well-being shall be given under this Article to or in behalf of aged, blind, or disabled persons who meet the eligibility conditions of Sections 3-1.1 through 3-1.7. Financial aid under this Article shall be available only for persons who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or who have been found ineligible for SSI (i) on the basis of income or (ii) due to expiration of the period of eligibility for refugees and asylees pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1612(a)(2). Financial aid based on item (ii) of this paragraph shall be available until July 1, 2006.

"Aged person" means a person who has attained age 65, as demonstrated by such evidence of age as the Illinois Department may by rule prescribe.

"Blind person" means a person who has no vision or whose vision with corrective glasses is so defective as to prevent the performance of ordinary duties or tasks for which eyesight is essential. The Illinois Department shall define blindness in terms of ophthalmic measurements or ocular conditions. For purposes of this Act, an Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card issued pursuant to The Illinois Identification Card Act, indicating that the person thereon named has a Type 3 disability shall be evidence that such person is a blind person within the meaning of this Section; however, such a card shall not qualify such person for aid as a blind person under this Act, and eligibility for aid as a blind person shall be determined as provided in this Act.

"Disabled person" means a person age 18 or over who has a physical or mental impairment, disease, or loss which is of a permanent nature and which substantially impairs his ability to perform labor or services or to engage in useful occupations for which he is qualified, as determined by rule and regulation of the Illinois Department. For purposes of this Act, an Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card issued pursuant to The Illinois Identification Card Act, indicating that the person thereon named has a Type 1 or 2, Class 2 disability shall be evidence that such person is a disabled person under this Section; however, such a card shall not qualify such person for aid as a disabled person under this Act, and eligibility for aid as a disabled person shall be determined as provided in this Act. If federal law or regulation permit or require the inclusion of blind or disabled persons whose blindness or disability is not of the degree specified in the foregoing definitions, or permit or require the inclusion of disabled persons under age 18 or aged persons under age 65, the Illinois Department, upon written approval of the Governor, may provide by rule that all aged, blind or disabled persons toward whose aid federal funds are available be eligible for assistance under this Article as is given to those who meet the foregoing definitions of blind person and disabled person or aged person.

(Source: P.A. 89-21, eff. 7-1-95.)

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

Sec. 3-5. Amount of aid. 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 and Pharmaceutical Assistance 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 not exceed $500 per month.

(Source: P.A. 91-676, eff. 12-23-99.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.