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2005 Pro Bono Trainingon Food Stamps

By Jessica Price

Public Benefits Advocate

Legal Assistance Foundation ofMetropolitan Chicago

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Private Attorney Involvement Clients call Public Benefits Hotline

Food Stamp-only Cases Offered by E-mail Advocate Accepts and Receives

Cases by Fax Consult Manual or Call with Questions Provide Weekly Updates on Progress

Fax Closed Case back to Hotline

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What are Food Stamps? Not Stamps

Debit Card (LINK) to purchase Food Items Amount is based on household size,

income, rent, and utilities not included in rent.

Cannot be used for non-food items (e.g. soap, tobacco, or alcohol) or hot food for immediate consumption.

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Where Do You Apply? Illinois Department of Human

Services Approx. 24 offices in Cook County

Office based on Zip Code Can locate office from Manual or

IDHS web page http://www.dhs.state.il.us/officelocator/

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How do clients access their benefits?

Link Card Before a card is issued the client must attend a

training session, select a PIN number, and provide proof of identity.

Disabled individuals can request that a proxy attend the training session or have a PIN pack mailed to them.

Clients can use benefits at stores that accept the Link card. Must be withdrawal at least once every 90 days. Stale accounts are moved off-line, and client must

contact caseworker.

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Applications Application must be taken the same day

client requests services Only a legible name and signature required One application is for all programs Applications are given a return date for

eligibility appointment and to bring back documents

Individuals must be screened for emergency Food Stamps on the day they apply

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Emergency Food Stamps Food Stamps available on expedited basis

5 calendar days from date of application Household eligible if:

The food stamp unit has no more than $100 in cash or other liquid assets, and no more than $150 in gross income in the fiscal month of application, or

The food stamp unit’s combined gross countable income and liquid assets are less than the household’s monthly rent or mortgage payments plus utilities.

Applicant only needs to verify identity Applicant must provide all verifications for regular

Food Stamps!

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Food Stamp “Households” Individuals who live together, and

purchase and prepare together, are considered a household

Required household members include: Spouses living together Children under age 22 sharing any living

space with a parent Any person under 18 who is under the

parental control of an adult, and who resides with that adult

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Financial Requirements Assets

Savings and other property that a household owns

Income All money that the household receives

or expects to receive each month

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Exemptions Exempt assets include:

Any assets of a unit member who receives TANF or SSI Personal and household goods The dwelling where the unit lives One licensed motor vehicle per household Up to $2,000 of otherwise countable assets

Exempt income includes: In-kind gifts (food, clothing, and shelter) Payments made directly to creditors (such as landlords) Earnings of elementary and secondary school students

under age 17 Loans (some student loans are not exempt)

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Non-Financial Requirements Residence

Clients must have residence in Illinois. Clients must provide information on how to

contact them. Citizenship or Qualifying Status:

Refugees/Asylees Legal Permanent Residents if:

They have lived in the U.S. 5 years with this status or They are under 18, disabled/blind, a veteran, or can

be credited with 40 quarters of work Certain abused non-citizens qualify

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Other Non-Financial Requirements

Cooperation A food stamp household must

cooperate with IDHS in determining eligibility.

Generally, the household has 10 days to provide requested information.May have good cause if not able to

cooperate (I.e. the applicant was not able to get wage information from the employer)

Can request extra time to submit documents

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General Food Stamp Deadlines

If you do not qualify for expedited Food Stamps, IDHS must determine eligibility within 30 calendar days

from the application date.

Food Stamps are payable from the date of application.

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Continuing Eligibility for Food Stamps

Food Stamp eligibility is redetermined on a periodic basis. These redeterminations (recertifications) may

be done on a 3, 6, or 12 month basis. A redetermination is treated like a new

application and benefits will be terminated if the redetermination is not completed by the end of the previous food stamp eligibility period.

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Quitting a job If client quit a job within 60 days of

application or while receiving Food Stamps 2 month sanction

Exceptions Good Cause (illness, emergency, lack of

transportation or child care for ages 6-11) Job was less than 20 hours per week Responsible for the care of someone under 6 or

incapacitated Receiving Unemployment Benefits

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Common Problems and Solutions

Food Stamp Calculations Go to illinoislegaladvocate.org

Need to know unit informationApproximate amount

Advise client to appeal, call Caseworker Failure to file a Redetermination

If it is within 30 days of end of approval period, client must go to office ASAP to do RedeterminationBenefits may be prorated

Otherwise client must reapply

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More Common Problems and Solutions

Failure to provide necessary information Client should appeal within 90 days of notice of adverse action Assist the client in turning in missing verification Get CW to agree to backdate benefits based on eligibility

and the information given (PM 01-07-08) Changes in income/household structure

Should be processed immediately, do not have to wait for next recertification

The more “households” under one roof, the more Food Stamps clients will receive.

Problem Workers Grievance Procedure to create a record

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Appeals Clients may appeal notices or

inactions on their case 90 days to appeal Food Stamp decision

Appeal on or before the date of change

Clients can reapply and appeal

Appeal at local office or call 800-435-0774

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Advocacy Tips Be persistent Know what outcome the client should get

Do not expect the Caseworker to be familiar with rules If Caseworker facts conflict with client facts, get

verification from client and continue If you leave a message,

Do not expect a call back Skip the caseworker, call the supervisor

Do not expect a call back Every supervisor has a supervisor Don’t be afraid to call the Local Office Administrator

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Working on a Case If you have any questions while

working on a case, Consult the Policy Manual:

http://163.191.134.21/pmwag/internet.html Call the Legal Assistance Foundation

Public Benefits Advocate(312) 347-8362

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Good Luck!