305 ILCS 5/12-4.11
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 305 - PUBLIC AID|305 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Public Aid Code.|Article XII - Administration

 (from Ch. 23, par. 12-4.11)Sec. 12-4.11. Grant amounts. The Department,  with due regard for and subject to budgetary limitations, shall establish  grant amounts for each of the programs, by regulation.  The grant amounts may  vary by program, size of assistance unit and geographic area. Grant amounts under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program may not vary on the basis of a TANF recipient's county of residence.Aid payments shall not be reduced except: (1) for changes in the cost of  items included in the grant amounts, or (2) for changes in the expenses of the  recipient, or (3) for changes in the income or resources available to the  recipient, or (4) for changes in grants resulting from adoption of a  consolidated grant amount.The maximum benefit levels provided to TANF recipients shall increase as follows: beginning October 1, 2018, the Department of Human Services shall increase TANF grant amounts in effect on September 30, 2018 to at least 30% of the most recent United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines for each family size. Beginning October 1, 2019, and each October 1 thereafter, the maximum benefit levels shall be annually adjusted to remain equal to at least 30% of the most recent 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) for each family size.TANF grants for child-only assistance units shall be at least 75% of TANF grants for assistance units of the same size that consist  of a caretaker relative with children.In fixing standards to govern payments or reimbursements for funeral  and burial expenses, the Department shall establish a minimum allowable  amount of  not less than  $1,000 for Department payment of funeral services and not less than $500 for  Department payment of burial or cremation services. On January 1, 2006, July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, the Department shall increase the minimum reimbursement amount for funeral and burial expenses under this Section by a percentage equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, if any, during the 12 months immediately preceding that January 1 or July 1. In establishing the minimum  allowable  amount, the Department shall take into account the services  essential to a dignified, low-cost (i) funeral and (ii) burial or  cremation, including reasonable  amounts that may be necessary for  burial space and cemetery charges, and any applicable taxes or other  required governmental fees or charges. If no  person has agreed to pay the total cost of the (i) funeral and  (ii) burial or cremation  charges, the Department shall pay the vendor the actual costs of the (i)  funeral  and  (ii) burial or cremation, or the minimum allowable amount for each service as  established by  the Department, whichever is less, provided that the Department reduces its  payments by  the amount available from the following sources: the decedent's assets  and  available resources and the anticipated amounts of any death benefits available  to the  decedent's estate, and amounts paid and arranged to be paid by the  decedent's legally  responsible relatives. A legally responsible relative is expected to pay  (i) funeral and (ii) burial  or cremation expenses unless financially unable to do so.Nothing contained in this Section or in any other Section of this  Code shall be construed to prohibit the Illinois Department (1) from  consolidating existing standards on the basis of any standards which are  or were in effect on, or subsequent to July 1, 1969, or (2) from  employing any consolidated standards in determining need for public  aid and the amount of money payment or grant for individual recipients  or recipient families.  (Source: P.A. 100-587, eff. 6-4-18; 101-103, eff. 7-19-19.)