Federal program - Declaration of responsibilities: It is the position of this State that the Federal Government should meet its obligation to provide financial aid to those aged, blind or disabled persons eligible under Article III hereof so as to assure those persons a standard of living compatible with health and well-being, including any supplementary aid program provided to meet special or emergency needs, and it is the position of this State that the Federal Government should meet its obligation to provide continuing supplemental nutritional aid for such persons through the Federal Food Stamp Program or through full reimbursement for expenditures made in lieu of such Food Stamp Program.
(a) The Illinois Department may, from federal reimbursements received under this Section, make disbursements to any attorney, or advocate working under the supervision of an attorney, who represents a recipient of assistance under Article VI of this Code in a program administered by the Illinois Department, in an appeal of any claim for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits before an administrative law judge which is decided in favor of such recipient. The amount of such disbursement shall be equal to 25% of the maximum federal Supplemental Security Income grant payable to an individual for a period of one year. No such disbursement shall be made unless a petition and a copy of the favorable decision is submitted by such attorney or advocate to the Illinois Department within 60 days of the date of such decision. The disbursement shall be made within 30 days after the petition is received. The Illinois Department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this subsection. (b) The Illinois Department shall institute a State program to fully supplement the federal Supplemental Security Income grants of all persons in the aged, blind, or disabled categories who meet the eligibility and need requirements of this Code. The amount or amounts of such supplementary payments shall be established by the Director of the Illinois Department in a manner consistent with the other provisions of this Article III. (c) The Illinois Department, the Comptroller and the Treasurer, are authorized to disburse to the Federal Government amounts appropriated to the Illinois Department for use in furnishing aid to persons eligible under Article III of this Code, to receive reimbursements from the Federal Government therefor, and to establish administrative procedures necessary for the accomplishment of such a payment system.Amended by P.A. 093-0632, § 110, eff. 2/1/2004.