New Policies

CWP (Section 18 — new Section 18.21a)

18.21a Referral for substance abuse evaluation

If the General Assistance Office has reasonable grounds to believe that a Community Work and Training Program (CWP) participant has a substance abuse problem, the General Assistance Office may refer the participant for a substance abuse evaluation. In the event a CWP participant fails or refuses to follow up on such referral in good faith, such participant’s General Assistance benefits shall be terminated for a failure or refusal to comply with the requirements of the CWP and such participant shall be ineligible to receive General Assistance for a sanction period of ninety (90) days immediately subsequent to the effective date of such termination. In the event such a sanctioned participant reapplies for General Assistance after the expiration of such sanction period, the General Assistance Office may require such applicant to undergo a substance abuse evaluation as an additional non-financial factor of eligibility for General Assistance.

GA non-financial factor of eligibility (Section 3 — new Section 3.13a)

3.13a Referral for substance abuse evaluation

If the General Assistance Office has reasonable grounds to believe that a General Assistance applicant or recipient required to maintain a current registration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and/or actively seek work and not refuse an offer of suitable employment has a substance abuse problem, the General Assistance Office may refer the applicant or recipient for a substance abuse evaluation. An applicant or recipient who fails or refuses to follow up on such referral in good faith is ineligible for General Assistance. The application for General Assistance of an applicant who fails or refuses to follow up on such referral in good faith shall be denied. The General Assistance benefits of a recipient who fails or refuses to follow up on such referral in good faith shall be terminated and such recipient shall be ineligible to receive General Assistance for a sanction period of ninety (90) days immediately subsequent to the effective date of such termination. In the event an applicant denied General Assistance for failure or refusal to follow up on such referral in good faith reapplies for General Assistance or a recipient sanctioned for failure or refusal to follow up on such referral in good faith reapplies for General Assistance after the expiration of such sanction period, the General Assistance Office may require such applicant to undergo a substance abuse evaluation as an additional non-financial factor of eligibility for General Assistance.