Legislation seeks to reduce government bureaucracy for low-income clients

CHICAGO, IL — A new state law, sponsored by State Sen. Jacqueline Collins, will help address barriers encountered by many people eligible for and in need of food, medical and cash assistance programs.

The policy changes in the new law will help insure that administrative barriers do not prevent low-income clients from pursuing and succeeding in employment while maintaining basic supports that help them make ends meet for themselves and their families.

“For years, those who’ve sought government services have been turned away due to the agency’s administrative policies,” Collins said. “This new law will help make it easier for those in need to get government assistance.”

Under the legislation, applications for aid can be filed with any local Department of Human Services office. The new law allows applicants to transfer a case to another local office of DHS to make things more convenient based on certain factors. The law also waives the requirement that an in-person meeting with a DHS representative takes place in food stamp cases.

Current policy requires that people be assigned to the IDHS local office based on the person’s home address.  This creates logistical barriers for people whose place of employment, child care provider, or related human service provider is located in a neighborhood other than where they live.  These barriers are exacerbated as IDHS closes and consolidates additional local offices due to budget constraints. 

“Government assistance must be readily-accessible to those who need it most,” Collins added. “It’s critical that we continue to adopt policies which help those trying to succeed in this tough economic environment.”