DHS-PUB AID-FUNERAL SERVICES

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall pay, subject to appropriation and in accordance with Department standards and rules (rather than standards, rules, and regulations), the actual cost of the funeral and burial or cremation, or the maximum allowable amount for each service, whichever is less, of a deceased public aid recipient if the recipient's estate is insufficient to pay for such costs (rather than such reasonable amounts as may be necessary to meet costs of the funeral, burial space, and cemetery charges). Provides that the Department shall reduce its payments by the amount available from the following sources: the decedent's assets and available resources and the anticipated amounts of any death benefits available to the decedent's estate, and amounts paid and arranged to be paid by the decedent's legally responsible relatives. Eliminates language establishing a minimum allowable amount of not less than $1,000 for Department payment of funeral services and not less than $500 for Department payment of burial or cremation services. Eliminates language requiring the Department on January 1, 2006, July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007 to increase the minimum reimbursement amount for funeral and burial services by a percentage equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers, if any, during the 12 months immediately preceding that January 1 or July 1.