Making the Connection Updates

Links

Illinois Department of Human Services Policy
Schedule and registration sheet for Making the Connection training

Community Resources Directory

Often agencies are faced with the dilemma of how to pay for a car repair, purchase a birth certificate, or pay initial employment expenses for an individual they serve. At times, these types of services are able to be provided by local, state or federal agencies. This directory identifies the supportive services that may be available to individuals who receive public benefits. The directory includes some of the qualifying criteria to receive the supportive service, as well as contact information and is organized by government level delivering the service, and the public benefit the person has to be eligible for in order to receive the service.

Download a copy of the directory in MS Word format.

2006 Community Resource Listing (1 MB pdf)

There are times workers need to a quick resource guide of agencies that meet a specific need. This is a desk reference listing of agencies and their phone number. The listing is organized by the type of service that may be needed (such as advocacy, child care, health resource information and referral), and the some of the agencies that may be able to meet the specifc need.

STATE BENEFIT UPDATES

August 10, 2005

INCREASE IN FOOD STAMP STANDARDS AND BENEFIT AMOUNTS

Beginning with some Food Stamp issuances in September and for ALL issuances in October, the Food Stamp benefit amounts have been increased. There are also new income standards that will be used to determine eligibility for benefits. The new income standards will begin to be used by the Illinois Department of Human Services beginning August 22, 2005.

For persons who have attended the Making the Connection training session and have a copy of the manual, you will need to update the program standards chart which is Insert 7. To obtain the new Program Standards charts to insert in your manual, or to read more about this change, go to the following link:

http://163.191.134.21/pmwag/PDF_Files/OfficialMemos/PolicyMemos/
  Increase%20in%20FS%20Standards%20and%20Benefit%20Amounts.pdf

August 3, 2005

CHANGE IN THE NAME OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AID

Effective 7/1/05, the Illinois Department of Public Aid (DPA) has a new name: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).

HFS administers the Medicaid and KidCare programs. These programs provide medical benefits to families with children and to other persons. The official abbreviation of the agency will be HFS. Following is the new logo you will expect to see on material that your client's receive from HFS:

HFS indicates that it is acceptable to continue to use forms with the DPA name and logo as long as existing supplies last. Over the next several months, electronic forms, hard copy forms, central notices, and MediPlan cards will be revised to display the new name and logo and will become available to be ordered.

Clients are being advised of the change when they receive their Mediplan cards through the Kidcare and Medicaid programs during August.

July 27, 2005

CHANGES IN FOOD STAMP BENEFITS WHEN A CLIENT MOVES

When IDHS clients who receive Food Stamp Benefits move, they are required to provide proof of their new rent payment. In instances they do not provide this information to IDHS, the rent amount previously paid will be changed to $0, most likely resulting in a reduction in Food Stamps being received by the client.(Previously IDHS stopped the Food Stamps, so this change is a positive change since some benefits continue to be received by the client)

Following is the link for you to be able to read this policy:

http://163.191.134.21/pmwag/Manual%20Releases/0528.htm

As we are all aware, IDHS staff often do not process case changes quickly due to their current work volume. This failure to act timely by IDHS, can result in changes in rent not being processed timely, and Food Stamp benefits decreasing, even in instances your client has provided proof of the change.

Please advise your clients that whenever they bring into the IDHS office any verifications, including proof of a change in rent, they should request a receipt. Your client's only proof that she had verified her new rent amount may the receipt she obtained.

Hope this information helps. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call.

FEDERAL BENEFIT UPDATES

November 20, 2005

November 7, 2005

MEDICARE D: AUTO-ENROLLMENT OF MEDICAID ELIGIBLE CLIENTS IN MEDICARE D PLANS

Making the Connection Participants

During our Making the Connection training sessions, we stated that clients who are enrolled in Medicaid can choose the Medicare D drug plan of their choice between November 15 and December 31. This information is accurate, however, it is important to note that your clients are receiving letters from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services advising them that they are being automatically enrolled in drug plans.
The auto-enrollment is just a cautionary one, in case your clients fail to select a plan. Your clients still have the right to select their own plan based on their pharmaceutical needs.
Unfortunately this will add some confusion to entire process, as many of your clients, will believe they have to stay with the plan that was selected for them by the government. I wish you well as you advocate on behalf of your clients.
Following is information about this auto-enrollment process along with copies of the letters being sent.

CMS Mails Auto-Enrollment Letters to Dual Eligible Beneficiaries

Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare's prescription drug coverage will be available to everyone in Medicare. For those with limited incomes, there is extra help that will provide comprehensive coverage for no premium and no deductible. Medicare beneficiaries who also receive Medicaid automatically qualify for this extra help. These full-benefit dual eligibles are being automatically and randomly enrolled in a prescription drug plan to make sure that they do not lose a day of prescription coverage.
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began mailing these auto-enrollment letters to full-benefit dual eligible Medicare beneficiaries. The letters let the beneficiary know the Medicare prescription drug plan in which they will be enrolled if they do not take any action prior to January 1. A copy of the letter is attached and also available online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/Enrollment-Q&A-10-20-05-with-cover-sheet.pdf

July 28, 2005

MEDICARE PART D: SUBSIDY APPLICATION FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IS NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE

If a person is a Medicare beneficiary with limited income and resources, an on-line application is now available to assess potential eligibility for subsidy of Medicare Part D costs. Social Security will review the submitted application and send a letter to let the person know if she qualifies for extra help. Social Security will also send information about the Medicare Prescription Drug Program and provide advice on the next steps. Medicare Application