Bill > HB2694

This bill establishes the Cash Assistance to Strengthen Households (CASH) program, which will replace the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program starting July 1, 2026. The key provisions include: providing cash assistance to eligible families at 40% of the federal poverty level, with a 12-month certification period during which assistance amounts remain stable regardless of changes in household circumstances; expanding eligibility to include pregnant persons without dependent children and removing most work requirements and restrictions; simplifying application and eligibility verification processes by using electronic data sources and implementing a "reasonable compatibility" test for income verification; and allowing recipients to remain on assistance for the full 12-month period without mandatory reporting of changes. The bill emphasizes reducing administrative barriers, promoting economic stability, and providing unconditional support to families with low incomes. The legislation is grounded in findings that suggest cash assistance, when designed with broader access and fewer restrictions, can effectively reduce family poverty and improve overall family well-being. The bill represents a significant shift from the previous TANF program's approach, which often imposed stringent work and behavioral requirements on recipients.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2694&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104