PURPOSE: To announce special procedures for persons relocating to Illinois from Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

BACKGROUND: The Gulf Coast was recently ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, leaving thousands without homes. It is expected that many individuals will arrive in Illinois with few possessions or financial resources and many may have no identification documents. As American citizens, and as service providers, it is our duty to do what we can to assist the many displaced individuals and families.

PROCEDURE: Treat persons who relocate to Illinois because of Hurricane Katrina as Illinois residents. In the absence of required LIHEAP verification of eligibility, document the person's responses to the following questions:

• Where did you live? (See below list of areas)
• When did you leave?
• When did you get here?
• Why did you come to Illinois?
• Have you received other disaster assistance?
• How were you supporting yourself before the hurricane?

Use the person's responses to determine whether it is reasonable to accept the applicant's statement that they are a hurricane victim. If you decide, based on the responses, that the person is a hurricane victim, ask for usual verifications but do not require them. Document that information is accepted based on the person's statement. If you decide based on the responses that the person is not a hurricane victim, process the application in the usual manner.

List of Areas Affected by Hurricane Katrina:

Alabama

The counties of: Baldwin, Mobile and Washington

Louisiana

The parishes of: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Pointe Coupee, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Herrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana

Mississippi

The counties of: Amite, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, Walthall, and Wilkinson

We are temporarily waiving the following verification requirements for persons who relocate to Illinois because of Hurricane Katrina:

• Income: Accept the applicant’s statement for all income. Disregard all income that is not accessible.
  
  
• Immigration Status: They are not required to provide an Alien Registration number or immigration documents if they are not available.
  
  
• Social Security Number: Enter their Social Security number in LIHEAP.net for validation just as you would normally do with other applications. If a person does not have a social security card, refer them to SSA to apply for one. The person is not required to provide verification that they have applied for a replacement card before the application can be processed.
  
  
• Age: If a person is applying based on age and states that they are age 60 or older, accept their birth date as they state.

Please note that applicants are required to provide an account number or utility bill, Utility Customer of Record, and an address in Illinois.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2005

INQUIRIES: Any questions or comments concerning these special procedures should be directed to Alie Kabba, LIHEAP Manager.

Illinois Medical Assistance Information Regarding Hurricane Katrina: Healthcare and Family Services