Section 121.24  Individuals Exempt From Work Registration Requirements

a)         Individuals receiving TANF who are required to participate in the TANF work and training program in accordance with 89 Ill. Adm. Code 112.71 and 112.72 are not exempt from SNAP work registration requirements unless they have a child under age six.

b)         Individuals not receiving TANF who are listed below are exempt from SNAP work registration requirements, but may, if they wish, voluntarily register:

1)         ineligible household members;

2)         parent or other household member having responsibility for the care of a dependent child or children under age six or the care of an incapacitated person or persons;

3)         persons under age 16 or age 60 or over;

4)         a person age 16 or 17 who is not the primary wage earner or is attending school or enrolled in a training program on at least a half-time basis;

5)         a person who is temporarily ill or chronically ill;

A)        A person is temporarily ill, when determined by the local office, on the basis of medical evidence (for example, statement from a medical provider) or on another sound basis that the illness or injury is serious enough to temporarily prevent the person from engaging in employment.  Minor ailments and injuries such as colds, broken fingers or rashes are not serious enough, normally, to exempt the individual under this criterion.  A sound basis for exemption from engaging in employment on a temporary basis includes, but is not limited to:

i)          the observation of a cast on a broken leg; or

ii)         information, provided by the client, of a scheduled surgery or recuperation from surgery;

B)        A person is chronically ill, as determined by the local office, when a physician or licensed or certified psychologist finds that a physical or mental impairment, either by itself or in conjunction with age or other factors, prevents the person from engaging in employment;

C)        When a person is determined either temporarily or chronically ill, the exemption shall continue until further action is taken by the Department.  When the exemption is initially granted, the Department will establish a date as to when the condition warranting the exemption is expected to end or when the case will be reevaluated to determine whether the exempted person continues to be exempt under the same procedures as for the initial determination of exemption, with appropriate notice to the person that a reevaluation is necessary.

6)         any drug addict or alcoholic who regularly participates in a drug or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program;

7)         persons who are engaged in gainful employment, employed or self-employed at least 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings equivalent to or greater than the Federal Minimum Wage multiplied by 30 hours and migrant and seasonal farm-workers under a contract to begin employment within 30 days after application;

8)         persons receiving Unemployment Insurance (UI) or who have applied for UI if required to register for Job Service as part of the UI application process;

9)         students enrolled at least half-time in any recognized:

A)        school;

B)        training program; or

C)        institution of higher education and who have met one of the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 121.75(a).

(Source:  Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 5348, effective March 11, 2020)