Effective January 1, 1990, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) may pay a stipend to households with children with a mental/developmental disability that might otherwise require out-of-home placement.

The program is for children under age 18 with one of the following conditions: severe autism, severe emotional disturbance, severe or profound mental retardation, or severe and multiple impairments. The family's income will be used in establishing eligibility. To qualify, an application signed by the parent or legal guardian must be filed with DHS. The parent or legal guardian must reapply annually and must assure DHS that the funds are being used to meet the special needs of the family.

In addition to the monthly stipend, DHS may make a one-time payment to help meet the needs of a family preparing for a child's return to the household after an out-of-home placement.

The purpose of the program is to prevent the out-of-home placement of the child with mental disabilities by supplying funds to defray some of the costs of providing for the special needs of a child with a mental disability. The payments are considered social services for SSI purposes. Therefore, they are not income to the parent, legal guardian, or the child with disabilities in accordance with SI 00815.050D.1.

The development and documentation requirements are in SI 00815.050D.1.b.

Obtain a copy of the award notice from the parent or legal guardian to verify that the payments are under the Illinois Family Assistance Program for Mentally Disabled Children.

If a copy cannot be obtained, verify the source of the payments with:

Illinois Department of Human Services

Division of Developmental Disabilities

Centrum Building North

401 N. 4th Street

Springfield, IL 62702

Phone: (217) 782-8065