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HB 2682

TANF-FAMILY VIOLENCE OPTION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Li Arellano and 27 co-sponsors

Requires DHS to implement the federal Family Violence Option, allowing TANF victims to obtain good cause waivers from work, cooperation, and time limits, plus expanded crisis aid.

Total Veto Stands - No Positive Action Taken
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Bill Summary · HB 2682

Summary — HB 2682 (TANF — Family Violence Option)

Status: Total veto stands — Governor vetoed (8/15/2025); veto sustained (10/29/2025).
Introduced: February 11, 2025. Passed both chambers May 31, 2025. Sent to governor June 24, 2025. Note: identical language was enacted earlier in the FY2026 Budget Implementation Act (Public Act 104‑0002) effective July 1, 2025; the Governor vetoed HB 2682 to avoid conflicting effective dates while implementation continued under the public act.

Primary sponsors: Rep. Lilian Jiménez (primary) and Sen. Mary Edly‑Allen (chief senate sponsor). Related/companion: HB 1354, SB 327.

Purpose / Intent

To require the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to implement the federal Family Violence Option (FVO) and related federal guidance so that Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients who are victims of domestic or sexual violence can obtain “good cause” waivers from TANF work, cooperation, and time‑limit requirements and to expand crisis assistance for survivors.

Key provisions

  • Amends Illinois Public Aid Code, sections 4‑12 (crisis assistance) and 4‑22 (domestic and sexual violence).
  • Requires DHS to implement the federal Family Violence Option (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(7)) and related federal rules (45 C.F.R. Part 260) and to follow guidance in federal law (including provisions added by federal appropriations acts referenced in the bill).
  • Screening & planning:
    • Requires screening for domestic/sexual violence in self‑sufficiency plans.
    • Victims may have individualized plans that incorporate steps addressing violence (e.g., referrals to services).
  • Good‑cause waivers:
    • DHS must provide universal notification of the availability of a good‑cause waiver at initial TANF application.
    • DHS must refer victims to services and may automatically waive TANF requirements (including child support cooperation, work requirements, and time limits) for victims as allowed by federal law.
    • No overall limit on the total months a waiver may be granted; waivers must be redetermined at least every 6 months.
  • Evidence standards for waiver eligibility:
    • Acceptable proof includes law enforcement, court, CPS, medical/treatment, or service‑provider records.
    • Third‑party verification allowed from specified categories (DV/sexual violence service provider, clergy, medical/behavioral health provider, law enforcement, legal rep, or acquaintances).
    • If no other verification is available, self‑attestation is sufficient to establish eligibility for a waiver.
  • Family Safety Notice:
    • DHS must create a Family Safety Notice form describing domestic/sexual violence, available waivers, appeal procedures, statewide domestic violence contacts, and verification options.
  • Crisis assistance (Sec. 4‑12):
    • Expands crisis assistance eligibility to families rendered homeless or deprived of household income because of domestic or sexual violence.
    • Sets a minimum assistance amount: no less than $1,250 to eligible families for up to 4 months (language in bill establishes this as a minimum upon availability of funds).
    • Annual expenditures under Sec. 4‑12 capped at $2,000,000; DHS may reduce assistance proportionally if needed to stay within the cap.
  • Rulemaking, referral, and reporting requirements for DHS (procedural provisions to implement the changes).

Who is affected

  • TANF recipients in Illinois who are victims of domestic or sexual violence (increased access to waivers and crisis assistance).
  • DHS (policy implementation, screening, forms, appeals, rulemaking).
  • Domestic violence and social service providers (referral pathways and potential verifier role).
  • Child support enforcement and TANF program administrators (changes to cooperation and sanction policies).

Budgetary / Implementation notes

  • Crisis assistance minimum per family: $1,250 for up to 4 months (subject to fund availability).
  • Annual cap for crisis assistance: $2,000,000 (DHS may prorate benefits if necessary).
  • Although HB 2682 was vetoed, identical language was enacted in Public Act 104‑0002 (FY2026 Budget Implementation Act), effective July 1, 2025; DHS began implementation under that public act. The veto was issued to avoid conflicting effective dates and legal uncertainty.

Potential impact

If implemented (as it is under the Budget Implementation Act), the policy reduces procedural barriers for survivors to receive TANF waivers, formalizes self‑attestation as an eligibility pathway when other documentation is unsafe or unavailable, and expands short‑term crisis assistance targeted to households impacted by domestic or sexual violence. Administrative workload for DHS will increase (screening, forms, redeterminations, referrals), and the state exposure for crisis assistance is limited by the $2M annual cap.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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