SPRINGFIELD – To expand those eligible to serve as personal care providers to include guardians, kin or siblings, State Senator Javier Cervantes advances legislation through the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday.

“Many Illinois residents who are disabled currently rely on a family member for personal care and assistance,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “This legislation will support those who act as personal care providers for family members and will ensure any wages received will not decrease their loved ones’ benefits.”

Currently, a recipient’s spouse is the only eligible family member who can contract with the Department of Rehabilitation Services to serve as a personal assistant to a person with a disability, and that individual may not have more than $10,000 in assets in order to be eligible for the services. People who need home-based services can hire their own personal assistants to provide care in their home, based on their service plan developed in partnership with their DRS rehabilitation counselor.

Senate Bill 505 would allow guardians, kin and siblings to serve as personal assistants for their family member with disabilities. They would be able to provide services such as personal assistance, home-delivered meals, adult day care, respite care, home health services and supported employment services. Under this legislation, any wages earned by the employee would not count against the $10,000 asset limit required for disabled individuals to be eligible for the program.

“Individuals in our state may require the care of their children or siblings, and this initiative ensures any wages earned by their personal assistant do not count against the individual’s eligibility for services,” Cervantes said. “Illinois families deserve all the help we can give, and with the worker shortage affecting our health care and home care systems, this legislation is key to getting direct support to people with disabilities across our state.”

Senate Bill 505 passed the Senate Health and Human Services committee on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

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