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Illinois Life Span Program

PUNS Pathway Flowchart

Last Updated October 2024

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Steps

  1. Contact ISC to determine eligibility to be on the PUNS waiting list for adult Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Need help finding your ISC(Independent Coordination Agency? Call DHS at 1-866-337-5267 (TTY: 1-866-376-8446)
  2. Placed on PUNS list to wait for HBCS. You will be categorized as: Planning for services OR Seeking Services(starts at age 18)
  3. Update paperwork yearly with the ISC — doing so will keep you on the PUNS list.
  4. After the age of 18, contact DHS by email yearly to see when you may be selected from PUNS DHS.DDD.PUNS@ illinois.gov
  5. Receive Early Notification Letter from DHS, you will likely be included in the next PUNS selection and invited to apply for DD waiver services. Start preparing now.
  6. Receive letter from your Arc of Illinois Ligas Family Advocate. Respond by calling the number provided in the letter.
  7. Contact your ISC to begin the planning process for services now. Reach out to DD providers to explore the ways they offer services, learn about their day programs and group homes and visit to see for yourself. Consider how you can live in your own home as independently as you might like. Apply for Medicaid and SSI if you are not already receiving. Medicaid: https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access SSI: www.ssa.gov
  8. PUNS Selection — You are invited to apply for DD waiver services.
  9. Clinical Eligibility— if not already determined medical and psychological evaluation can be needed to conduct these evaluations – Your ISC will connect you to a provider
  10. You have been found clinically eligible for funding. Begin Personal Plan Process (PCP) with ISC. What supports do you want and need? Help at home, job coaching, respite services, transportation, therapy, home adaptations, Community Day programs/classes, help with personal care?
  11. Determine how and where YOU want to receive services
  12. Consider the options: Home-Based Services (Support based on your needs in your apartment/ condo/house or family home) OR CILA Services- Group Home CILA (24/7 support)- Host Home CILA (24/7 support while living with another family in the community)-Intermittent CILA OR Family CILA (less than 24 per day support while living in your apartment/condo/house or family home)
  13. Receive award letter for HCBS Waiver funding
  14. BEGIN BUILDING A LIFE YOU LOVE IN THE COMMUNITY

PLANNING FOR DD SERVICES?

Have you been notified by DHS that you or your family member will be selected from the PUNS ?

If you are an Illinois resident who is 18 or older and live in your family home or an ICFDD that serves 9 or more people, and qualify for DD Medicaid Waiver services, you are a Ligas class member. Here are suggestions of how you can prepare for HCB services:

  1. If not receiving Medicaid, apply online: https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/ Complete your application and if you don’t get approved within 45 days, contact your ISC. They will reach out to the DD HUB Pilot Project who can expedite the application.
  2. If considering a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) group or host home, you must have both Medicaid AND Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — apply online: https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/
  3. You may want to see a CILA group home in your area. See DHS list of CILA providers: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=56783
  4. For more information on Home-Based Services (HBS), see the DHS 2018 Handbook on DD Home-based services: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=101181
  5. Gather information that will be needed by your ISC, the agency that helped you get on the PUNS waiting list: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=41167
  6. Interested in supportive housing (permanent affordable housing with home-based or intermittent CILA services)? Contact your Independent Service Coordination Agency and check out: https://partnersforhome.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Dimensions-of-Quality-Document.pdf
  7. Check out The Arc of Illinois events: Conferences, Webinars, and Know Your Options events designed to provide you with accurate information about your options: www.thearcofil.org

The Arc of Illinois, Family Advocates

Don’t qualify for funding through IL DHS DDD but still need support? The Illinois Life Span Program of The Arc of Illinois can help. Call us at 1-800-588-7002! We would be happy to connect you with useful information including how to find your local DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services office, Center for Independent Living, and other local and statewide resources!

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