PUB AID-ELIGIBILITY-FOOD STAMP

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the application-for-public-assistance process must be completed before and separately from the provision of and coordination of social and employment services, and provides that coordination of those services must begin no later than 2 weeks after a favorable determination on an application for assistance. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide by rule for a system under which signatures on applications for assistance may be submitted in person or by mail, facsimile, or electronic transmission, and provides that any such signature shall be sufficient to commence the application process. Provides that an application for any assistance under the Code may be filed at any local office of the Department of Human Services, and provides that following the initial eligibility determination, a recipient may choose to have his or her case assigned to any Department of Human Services office; provides that within 5 days after the assignment of a case, the Department must assign a caseworker, make appropriate case entries into the computer system, and generate a letter to the recipient containing the name and contact information for the caseworker. Provides for coordination of eligibility redeterminations by the Departments of Human Services and Public Aid. Requires the Department of Public Aid and the Department of Human Services to convene a task force to formulate a plan to simplify and make as uniform as possible the rules governing the counting of income for purposes of determining eligibility and benefit levels in means-tested public benefit programs for which the 2 departments are responsible. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.