Section 590.670  Determination of the Need for Increased Costs  

a)         Clothing Expenses

Clothing may be purchased under an IPE, in support of a primary service, when the clothing is reasonably required for the customer to achieve the employment objective.

b)         Short Term Increased Costs

Short term financial contribution for increased costs resulting from the customer having to leave their home to receive services shall be provided using the State per diem and lodging rates.  Short term shall mean any period of 2 weeks or less.

c)         Program-Related Increased Costs

Individuals attending a limited term specialized skill instruction program, with a residential component, shall qualify for financial contribution at the program’s published cost.

d)         Long Term Increased Costs

Any service that requires a customer to relocate may make the customer eligible to receive monetary support for increased costs. DHS-DRS shall provide long-term increased costs or transportation costs, whichever is less (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 590.600), unless there is a demonstrated hardship to the customer associated with the time and expense of commuting.  The customer shall receive funds for these increased costs as follows:

1)         Housing

All individuals receiving DHS-DRS support for increased costs for housing shall have the support reduced by the normal cost of living, which shall not exceed the DHS TANF payment level for housing.

A)        Increased cost for individuals attending post-secondary training and living in university-owned/sponsored housing shall be calculated using the published cost for a shared room less the normal cost of living.

B)        Increased costs for individuals attending post-secondary training and living off campus shall be determined by the cost of a fair market rent one-bedroom apartment, as established by Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in the area of service provision, less the normal cost of living.

2)         Food

DHS-DRS may pay the increased cost of food when the customer chooses to use the food plan offered by the institution of higher education.  Food services must be listed on the customer's IPE.  The increased cost of food shall be figured using the institution’s base, comprehensive meal plan.  The amount established by DHS-DRS shall not exceed the maximum SNAP benefit for a family of one and shall be subtracted from the cost of the typical meal plan.  The difference shall be the customer's monthly increased cost for food.  If the customer chooses not to use the facility's food service or there is no food service at the facility, there is no increased cost.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 13560, effective September 7, 2023)