SB3007 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 19820 KTG 44219 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB3007

Introduced 2/18/2016, by Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Includes persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes in the categories of non-citizens who are eligible for cash or medical assistance under the Code. Defines "foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes". Provides that beginning January 1, 2017, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide medical assistance coverage to foreign-born victims of human trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and to their derivative family members who: reside in Illinois; are not otherwise eligible under the Code; meet certain income guidelines; and have filed or are preparing to file a formal application for status pursuant to specified provisions of the United States Code. Provides that such a person is ineligible for continued medical assistance coverage if he or she has not filed a formal application for status within one year after the date of his or her application for cash assistance or SNAP benefits; and that if there is a final denial of the person's visa or asylum application, any medical assistance coverage provided to that person and his or her derivative family members shall be terminated. Adds the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article to the Code with provisions concerning: cash assistance and SNAP benefits for persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and their derivative family members; eligibility determinations; work requirements and exemptions; and termination of benefits. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement these provisions. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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. This Act may be referred to as the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Act.

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Sections 1-11 and 5-2 and by adding Section 2-19 and Article XVI as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/1-11)

Sec. 1-11. Citizenship. To the extent not otherwise provided in this Code or federal law, all clients who receive cash or medical assistance under Article III, IV, V, or VI of this Code must meet the citizenship requirements as established in this Section. To be eligible for assistance an individual, who is otherwise eligible, must be either a United States citizen or included in one of the following categories of non-citizens:

(1) United States veterans honorably discharged and persons on active military duty, and the spouse and unmarried dependent children of these persons;

(2) Refugees under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act;

(3) Asylees under Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act;

(4) Persons for whom deportation has been withheld under Section 243(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act;

(5) Persons granted conditional entry under Section 203(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act as in effect prior to April 1, 1980;

(6) Persons lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act;

(7) Parolees, for at least one year, under Section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act;

(8) Nationals of Cuba or Haiti admitted on or after April 21, 1980;

(9) Amerasians from Vietnam, and their close family members, admitted through the Orderly Departure Program beginning on March 20, 1988;

(10) Persons identified by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) as victims of trafficking;

(11) Persons legally residing in the United States who were members of a Hmong or Highland Laotian tribe when the tribe helped United States personnel by taking part in a military or rescue operation during the Vietnam era (between August 5, 1965 and May 7, 1975); this also includes the person's spouse, a widow or widower who has not remarried, and unmarried dependent children;

(12) American Indians born in Canada under Section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and members of an Indian tribe as defined in Section 4e of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act; and

(13) Persons who are a spouse, widow, or child of a U.S. citizen or a spouse or child of a legal permanent resident (LPR) who have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by the U.S. citizen or LPR or a member of that relative's family who lived with them, who no longer live with the abuser or plan to live separately within one month of receipt of assistance and whose need for assistance is due, at least in part, to the abuse.

(14) Persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes as defined in Section 2-19 of this Code.

Those persons who are in the categories set forth in subdivisions 6 and 7 of this Section, who enter the United States on or after August 22, 1996, shall not be eligible for 5 years beginning on the date the person entered the United States.

The Illinois Department may, by rule, cover prenatal care or emergency medical care for non-citizens who are not otherwise eligible under this Section. Local governmental units which do not receive State funds may impose their own citizenship requirements and are authorized to provide any benefits and impose any citizenship requirements as are allowed under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193).

(Source: P.A. 93-342, eff. 7-24-03.)

(305 ILCS 5/2-19 new)

Sec. 2-19. Foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes. "Foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes" means a person who is:

(1) a non-citizen victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons who has been subjected to an act or practice described in Section 7102 of Title 22 of the United States Code or Section 10-9 of the Criminal Code of 2012;

(2) a non-citizen victim of an act or practice described in Section 1101(a)(15)(U)(iii) of Title 8 of the United States Code; or

(3) a non-citizen who has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion as set forth in Section 1101(a)(42)(A) of Title 8 of the United States Code.

(305 ILCS 5/5-2) (from Ch. 23, par. 5-2)

Sec. 5-2. Classes of Persons Eligible.

Medical assistance under this Article shall be available to any of the following classes of persons in respect to whom a plan for coverage has been submitted to the Governor by the Illinois Department and approved by him. If changes made in this Section 5-2 require federal approval, they shall not take effect until such approval has been received:

1. Recipients of basic maintenance grants under Articles III and IV.

2. Beginning January 1, 2014, persons otherwise eligible for basic maintenance under Article III, excluding any eligibility requirements that are inconsistent with any federal law or federal regulation, as interpreted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but who fail to qualify thereunder on the basis of need, and who have insufficient income and resources to meet the costs of necessary medical care, including but not limited to the following:

(a) All persons otherwise eligible for basic maintenance under Article III but who fail to qualify under that Article on the basis of need and who meet either of the following requirements:

(i) their income, as determined by the Illinois Department in accordance with any federal requirements, is equal to or less than 100% of the federal poverty level; or

(ii) their income, after the deduction of costs incurred for medical care and for other types of remedial care, is equal to or less than 100% of the federal poverty level.

(b) (Blank).

3. (Blank).

4. Persons not eligible under any of the preceding paragraphs who fall sick, are injured, or die, not having sufficient money, property or other resources to meet the costs of necessary medical care or funeral and burial expenses.

5.(a) Women during pregnancy and during the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, together with their infants, whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Until September 30, 2019, or sooner if the maintenance of effort requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are eliminated or may be waived before then, women during pregnancy and during the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy, whose countable monthly income, after the deduction of costs incurred for medical care and for other types of remedial care as specified in administrative rule, is equal to or less than the Medical Assistance-No Grant(C) (MANG(C)) Income Standard in effect on April 1, 2013 as set forth in administrative rule.

(b) The plan for coverage shall provide ambulatory prenatal care to pregnant women during a presumptive eligibility period and establish an income eligibility standard that is equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, provided that costs incurred for medical care are not taken into account in determining such income eligibility.

(c) The Illinois Department may conduct a demonstration in at least one county that will provide medical assistance to pregnant women, together with their infants and children up to one year of age, where the income eligibility standard is set up to 185% of the nonfarm income official poverty line, as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget. The Illinois Department shall seek and obtain necessary authorization provided under federal law to implement such a demonstration. Such demonstration may establish resource standards that are not more restrictive than those established under Article IV of this Code.

6. (a) Children younger than age 19 when countable income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. Until September 30, 2019, or sooner if the maintenance of effort requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are eliminated or may be waived before then, children younger than age 19 whose countable monthly income, after the deduction of costs incurred for medical care and for other types of remedial care as specified in administrative rule, is equal to or less than the Medical Assistance-No Grant(C) (MANG(C)) Income Standard in effect on April 1, 2013 as set forth in administrative rule.

(b) Children and youth who are under temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services or who receive financial assistance in support of an adoption or guardianship placement from the Department of Children and Family Services.

7. (Blank).

8. As required under federal law, persons who are eligible for Transitional Medical Assistance as a result of an increase in earnings or child or spousal support received. The plan for coverage for this class of persons shall:

(a) extend the medical assistance coverage to the extent required by federal law; and

(b) offer persons who have initially received 6 months of the coverage provided in paragraph (a) above, the option of receiving an additional 6 months of coverage, subject to the following:

(i) such coverage shall be pursuant to provisions of the federal Social Security Act;

(ii) such coverage shall include all services covered under Illinois' State Medicaid Plan;

(iii) no premium shall be charged for such coverage; and

(iv) such coverage shall be suspended in the event of a person's failure without good cause to file in a timely fashion reports required for this coverage under the Social Security Act and coverage shall be reinstated upon the filing of such reports if the person remains otherwise eligible.

9. Persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or with AIDS-related conditions with respect to whom there has been a determination that but for home or community-based services such individuals would require the level of care provided in an inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility the cost of which is reimbursed under this Article. Assistance shall be provided to such persons to the maximum extent permitted under Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act.

10. Participants in the long-term care insurance partnership program established under the Illinois Long-Term Care Partnership Program Act who meet the qualifications for protection of resources described in Section 15 of that Act.

11. Persons with disabilities who are employed and eligible for Medicaid, pursuant to Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(xv) of the Social Security Act, and, subject to federal approval, persons with a medically improved disability who are employed and eligible for Medicaid pursuant to Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(xvi) of the Social Security Act, as provided by the Illinois Department by rule. In establishing eligibility standards under this paragraph 11, the Department shall, subject to federal approval:

(a) set the income eligibility standard at not lower than 350% of the federal poverty level;

(b) exempt retirement accounts that the person cannot access without penalty before the age of 59 1/2, and medical savings accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 220;

(c) allow non-exempt assets up to $25,000 as to those assets accumulated during periods of eligibility under this paragraph 11; and

(d) continue to apply subparagraphs (b) and (c) in determining the eligibility of the person under this Article even if the person loses eligibility under this paragraph 11.

12. Subject to federal approval, persons who are eligible for medical assistance coverage under applicable provisions of the federal Social Security Act and the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000. Those eligible persons are defined to include, but not be limited to, the following persons:

(1) persons who have been screened for breast or cervical cancer under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Breast and Cervical Cancer Program established under Title XV of the federal Public Health Services Act in accordance with the requirements of Section 1504 of that Act as administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health; and

(2) persons whose screenings under the above program were funded in whole or in part by funds appropriated to the Illinois Department of Public Health for breast or cervical cancer screening.

"Medical assistance" under this paragraph 12 shall be identical to the benefits provided under the State's approved plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. The Department must request federal approval of the coverage under this paragraph 12 within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly.

In addition to the persons who are eligible for medical assistance pursuant to subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph 12, and to be paid from funds appropriated to the Department for its medical programs, any uninsured person as defined by the Department in rules residing in Illinois who is younger than 65 years of age, who has been screened for breast and cervical cancer in accordance with standards and procedures adopted by the Department of Public Health for screening, and who is referred to the Department by the Department of Public Health as being in need of treatment for breast or cervical cancer is eligible for medical assistance benefits that are consistent with the benefits provided to those persons described in subparagraphs (1) and (2). Medical assistance coverage for the persons who are eligible under the preceding sentence is not dependent on federal approval, but federal moneys may be used to pay for services provided under that coverage upon federal approval.

13. Subject to appropriation and to federal approval, persons living with HIV/AIDS who are not otherwise eligible under this Article and who qualify for services covered under Section 5-5.04 as provided by the Illinois Department by rule.

14. Subject to the availability of funds for this purpose, the Department may provide coverage under this Article to persons who reside in Illinois who are not eligible under any of the preceding paragraphs and who meet the income guidelines of paragraph 2(a) of this Section and (i) have an application for asylum pending before the federal Department of Homeland Security or on appeal before a court of competent jurisdiction and are represented either by counsel or by an advocate accredited by the federal Department of Homeland Security and employed by a not-for-profit organization in regard to that application or appeal, or (ii) are receiving services through a federally funded torture treatment center. Medical coverage under this paragraph 14 may be provided for up to 24 continuous months from the initial eligibility date so long as an individual continues to satisfy the criteria of this paragraph 14. If an individual has an appeal pending regarding an application for asylum before the Department of Homeland Security, eligibility under this paragraph 14 may be extended until a final decision is rendered on the appeal. The Department may adopt rules governing the implementation of this paragraph 14.

15. Family Care Eligibility.

(a) On and after July 1, 2012, a parent or other caretaker relative who is 19 years of age or older when countable income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. A person may not spend down to become eligible under this paragraph 15.

(b) Eligibility shall be reviewed annually.

(c) (Blank).

(d) (Blank).

(e) (Blank).

(f) (Blank).

(g) (Blank).

(h) (Blank).

(i) Following termination of an individual's coverage under this paragraph 15, the individual must be determined eligible before the person can be re-enrolled.

16. Subject to appropriation, uninsured persons who are not otherwise eligible under this Section who have been certified and referred by the Department of Public Health as having been screened and found to need diagnostic evaluation or treatment, or both diagnostic evaluation and treatment, for prostate or testicular cancer. For the purposes of this paragraph 16, uninsured persons are those who do not have creditable coverage, as defined under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or have otherwise exhausted any insurance benefits they may have had, for prostate or testicular cancer diagnostic evaluation or treatment, or both diagnostic evaluation and treatment. To be eligible, a person must furnish a Social Security number. A person's assets are exempt from consideration in determining eligibility under this paragraph 16. Such persons shall be eligible for medical assistance under this paragraph 16 for so long as they need treatment for the cancer. A person shall be considered to need treatment if, in the opinion of the person's treating physician, the person requires therapy directed toward cure or palliation of prostate or testicular cancer, including recurrent metastatic cancer that is a known or presumed complication of prostate or testicular cancer and complications resulting from the treatment modalities themselves. Persons who require only routine monitoring services are not considered to need treatment. "Medical assistance" under this paragraph 16 shall be identical to the benefits provided under the State's approved plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department (i) does not have a claim against the estate of a deceased recipient of services under this paragraph 16 and (ii) does not have a lien against any homestead property or other legal or equitable real property interest owned by a recipient of services under this paragraph 16.

17. Persons who, pursuant to a waiver approved by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are eligible for medical assistance under Title XIX or XXI of the federal Social Security Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code and consistent with the terms of the approved waiver, the Illinois Department, may by rule:

(a) Limit the geographic areas in which the waiver program operates.

(b) Determine the scope, quantity, duration, and quality, and the rate and method of reimbursement, of the medical services to be provided, which may differ from those for other classes of persons eligible for assistance under this Article.

(c) Restrict the persons' freedom in choice of providers.

18. Beginning January 1, 2014, persons aged 19 or older, but younger than 65, who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under this Section 5-2, who qualify for medical assistance pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and applicable federal regulations, and who have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level plus 5% for the applicable family size as determined pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14) and applicable federal regulations. Persons eligible for medical assistance under this paragraph 18 shall receive coverage for the Health Benefits Service Package as that term is defined in subsection (m) of Section 5-1.1 of this Code. If Illinois' federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) is reduced below 90% for persons eligible for medical assistance under this paragraph 18, eligibility under this paragraph 18 shall cease no later than the end of the third month following the month in which the reduction in FMAP takes effect.

19. Beginning January 1, 2014, as required under 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX), persons older than age 18 and younger than age 26 who are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under paragraphs (1) through (17) of this Section who (i) were in foster care under the responsibility of the State on the date of attaining age 18 or on the date of attaining age 21 when a court has continued wardship for good cause as provided in Section 2-31 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and (ii) received medical assistance under the Illinois Title XIX State Plan or waiver of such plan while in foster care.

20. Beginning January 1, 2017, the Department shall provide medical assistance coverage under this Article to persons who are foreign-born victims of human trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes as defined in Section 2-19 of this Code and to their derivative family members if such persons: (i) reside in Illinois; (ii) are not eligible under any of the preceding paragraphs; (iii) meet the income guidelines of subparagraph (a) of paragraph 2; and (iv) have filed or are preparing to file a formal application for status pursuant to Sections 1101(a)(15)(T), 1101(a)(15)(U), or 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code. A person who is a foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and his or her derivative family members shall be ineligible for continued medical assistance coverage under this paragraph if the person has not filed a formal application for status pursuant to Sections 1101(a)(15)(T), 1101(a)(15)(U), or 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code within one year after the date of his or her application for cash assistance or SNAP benefits pursuant to Article XVI of this Code. If there is a final denial of the person's visa or asylum application under Sections 1101(a)(15)(T), 1101(a)(15)(U), or 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code, any medical assistance coverage provided to that person and to his or her derivative family members under this paragraph shall be terminated. The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph.

In implementing the provisions of Public Act 96-20, the Department is authorized to adopt only those rules necessary, including emergency rules. Nothing in Public Act 96-20 permits the Department to adopt rules or issue a decision that expands eligibility for the FamilyCare Program to a person whose income exceeds 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as determined from time to time by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, unless the Department is provided with express statutory authority.

The eligibility of any such person for medical assistance under this Article is not affected by the payment of any grant under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities 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 Department shall by rule establish the amounts of assets to be disregarded in determining eligibility for medical assistance, which shall at a minimum equal the amounts to be disregarded under the Federal Supplemental Security Income Program. The amount of assets of a single person to be disregarded shall not be less than $2,000, and the amount of assets of a married couple to be disregarded shall not be less than $3,000.

To the extent permitted under federal law, any person found guilty of a second violation of Article VIIIA shall be ineligible for medical assistance under this Article, as provided in Section 8A-8.

The eligibility of any person for medical assistance under this Article shall not be affected by the receipt by the person of donations or benefits from fundraisers held for the person in cases of serious illness, as long as neither the person nor members of the person's family have actual control over the donations or benefits or the disbursement of the donations or benefits.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, if the United States Supreme Court holds Title II, Subtitle A, Section 2001(a) of Public Law 111-148 to be unconstitutional, or if a holding of Public Law 111-148 makes Medicaid eligibility allowed under Section 2001(a) inoperable, the State or a unit of local government shall be prohibited from enrolling individuals in the Medical Assistance Program as the result of federal approval of a State Medicaid waiver on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, and any individuals enrolled in the Medical Assistance Program pursuant to eligibility permitted as a result of such a State Medicaid waiver shall become immediately ineligible.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, if an Act of Congress that becomes a Public Law eliminates Section 2001(a) of Public Law 111-148, the State or a unit of local government shall be prohibited from enrolling individuals in the Medical Assistance Program as the result of federal approval of a State Medicaid waiver on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, and any individuals enrolled in the Medical Assistance Program pursuant to eligibility permitted as a result of such a State Medicaid waiver shall become immediately ineligible.

Effective October 1, 2013, the determination of eligibility of persons who qualify under paragraphs 5, 6, 8, 15, 17, and 18 of this Section shall comply with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14) and applicable federal regulations.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, and the Illinois health insurance marketplace shall work cooperatively to assist persons who would otherwise lose health benefits as a result of changes made under this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly to transition to other health insurance coverage.

(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-463, eff. 8-16-13; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(305 ILCS 5/Art. XVI heading new)

ARTICLE XVI. SURVIVOR SUPPORT AND TRAFFICKING PREVENTION

(305 ILCS 5/16-1 new)

Sec. 16-1. Benefits for foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes. In order to protect persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and to reduce the risk of further harm, exploitation, and re-trafficking, beginning January 1, 2017, cash assistance provided under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program established under Article IV of this Code and benefits provided under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shall be provided to such persons and their derivative family members to the same extent cash assistance and SNAP benefits are provided to individuals who are admitted to the United States as refugees under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code. To the extent that federal funding is not available, any cash assistance or SNAP benefits provided under this Article shall be paid from State funds.

(305 ILCS 5/16-2 new)

Sec. 16-2. Eligibility. A foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and his or her derivative family members are eligible for cash assistance or SNAP benefits under this Article if:

(a) he or she:

(1) has filed or is preparing to file an application for T Nonimmigrant status with the appropriate federal agency pursuant to Section 1101(a)(15)(T) of Title 8 of the United States Code, or is otherwise taking steps to meet the conditions for federal benefits eligibility under Section 7105 of Title 22 of the United States Code;

(2) has filed or is preparing to file a formal application with the appropriate federal agency for status pursuant to Section 1101(a)(15)(U) of Title 8 of the United States Code; or

(3) has filed or is preparing to file a formal application with the appropriate federal agency for status under Section 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code; and

(b) is otherwise eligible for cash assistance or SNAP benefits, as applicable.

(305 ILCS 5/16-3 new)

Sec. 16-3. Determination of eligibility.

(a) The Department shall determine that an applicant for cash assistance or SNAP benefits provided under this Article is eligible for such benefits if the applicant meets the income guidelines and is otherwise eligible and either:

(1) the applicant has filed:

(A) an application for T Nonimmigrant status with the appropriate federal agency pursuant to Section 1101(a)(15)(T) of Title 8 of the United States Code, or is otherwise taking steps to meet the conditions for federal benefits eligibility under Section 7105 of Title 22 of the United States Code;

(B) a formal application with the appropriate federal agency for status pursuant to Section 1101(a)(15)(U) of Title 8 of the United States Code; or

(C) a formal application with the appropriate federal agency for status under Section 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code; or

(2) the applicant, or a representative of the applicant if the applicant is not competent, has provided to the Department:

(A) a sworn statement that he or she is a foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes; and

(B) at least one item of additional evidence, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(i) police, government agency, or court records or files;

(ii) news articles;

(iii) documentation from a social services, trafficking, domestic violence program or rape crisis center, or a legal, clinical, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with the crime;

(iv) a statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances that provided the basis for the claim;

(v) physical evidence;

(vi) a copy of a completed visa application; or

(vii) written notice from the federal agency of receipt of the visa application.

(b) The Department may, in its discretion, provide cash assistance or SNAP benefits pursuant to this Article to an applicant who cannot provide additional evidence as set forth in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) if:

(1) the applicant, or a representative of the applicant if the applicant is not competent, has provided a sworn statement that he or she is a foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes; and

(2) the Department determines that the applicant is credible.

(305 ILCS 5/16-4 new)

Sec. 16-4. Work requirements and exemptions.

(a) Persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and who are receiving cash assistance or SNAP benefits under this Article shall be subject to the same work requirements and work requirement exemptions as other recipients of cash assistance or SNAP benefits, provided that compliance with these requirements is authorized by law.

(b) A person who is a foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes shall be exempted from any work requirements if physical or psychological trauma related to or arising from the trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes impedes his or her ability to comply.

(305 ILCS 5/16-5 new)

Sec. 16-5. Termination of benefits.

(a) Any cash assistance or SNAP benefits provided under this Article to a person who is a foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and his or her derivative family members shall be terminated if there is a final denial of that person's visa or asylum application under Sections 1101(a)(15)(T), 1101(a)(15)(U), or 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code.

(b) A person who is a foreign-born victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and his or her derivative family members shall be ineligible for continued State-funded cash assistance or SNAP benefits provided under this Article if that person has not filed a formal application for status pursuant to Sections 1101(a)(15)(T), 1101(a)(15)(U), or 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code within one year after the date of his or her application for cash assistance or SNAP benefits provided under this Article. The Department of Human Services may extend the person's eligibility for cash assistance or SNAP benefits beyond one-year if the person can show that during the year of initial eligibility he or she (i) experienced a health crisis, (ii) has been unable, after reasonable attempts, to obtain information from a third party that is necessary to complete his or her application for status, or (iii) has other extenuating circumstances.

(305 ILCS 5/16-6 new)

Sec. 16-6. Rulemaking authority. The Department of Human Services shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this Article on or before January 1, 2017.

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