Section 130.300  Program Administration

a)         The Department shall administer a program for the distribution of Federal Commodities to needy individuals and households made available in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) (7 CFR 250 and 251) by contracting with private, not-for-profit agencies to establish a statewide network for emergency feeding and commodity distribution.

b)         In no instance may fees be assessed against recipients of commodities under the program.

c)         The receipt of commodities under this program shall not affect an individual's or household's eligibility for assistance under any other program administered by the Department, and the commodities received shall not be considered as income in determining the level of assistance program benefits to which the individual or household may be entitled.

d)         Participation in political or religious activities or affiliation with any organization shall not be made a condition of eligibility to receive commodities.

e)         Individuals and households shall be eligible to receive Federal Commodities if they meet the following criteria:

1)         reside in Illinois; and

2)         have individual or household income that is no greater than 130% of the federal poverty income levels published annually in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 13669, effective August 23, 2000)