Transition: Finance Resources
DSCC’s Point of Entry to Services in Illinois for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities (PUNS) Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families learn about registering for PUNS. PUNS stands for Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services. It is the point of entry to services in Illinois for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities uses the PUNS database to identify who needs services and what services they need.
Children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities who need or want services or supports can enroll in PUNS.
Point of Entry to Services in Illinois for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities (PUNS) tip sheet in English
Point of Entry to Services in Illinois for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities (PUNS) tip sheet in Spanish
DSCC’s Using Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to Get Ready for Your Future Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families learn more about Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI can help pay for food, clothing and housing needs. It also helps you keep your medical benefits.
The tip sheet includes:
Steps for applying for SSI
Work incentives
Where to look for more informationDSCC’s Using Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to Get Ready for Your Future Tip Sheet in English
DSCC’s Using Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to Get Ready for Your Future Tip Sheet in Spanish
DSCC’s Money Management Skills Tip Sheet
As you begin to transition to adulthood, you can begin to manage (or co-manage) your money. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this Money Management Skills Tip Sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs learn about managing money, budgeting and setting up credit as they transition to adulthood.
Money Management Skills tip sheet in English
Money Management Skills tip sheet in Spanish
DuPage County Transition Planning Committee
The DuPage County Transition Planning Committee is a group composed of representatives from the local special education co-ops, school districts, Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services office, adult service providers, vocational coordinators, representatives of the business community, parents and clients. The committee meets to network, educate, learn, share and support services for individuals with disabilities
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning provides these free resources and steps to successfully make a financial plan.
Financial Planning for Parents of Children With Disabilities
The PACER Center offers “A Financial Resource for Parents of Children With Disabilities” to help you plan for your child’s financial future and overall well-being. This resource helps walk you through getting organized, life and disability insurance and various aspects of planning for you and your child.
From PUNS Enrollment to DD Waiver Services Flowchart
The Arc of Illinois’ Ligas Family Advocate Program (LFAP) provides information and outreach to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families who are selected from the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) or notified in advance of a future PUNS selection.
LFAP’s resources include a “Finding Your Way” flowchart roadmap that outlines the steps from PUNS enrollment to developmental disability waiver services.
Future Financial Planning for People With Disabilities Video Series – ABLE and Special Needs Trusts
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning provides a series of videos to help you save money and protect public benefits. Video topics include ABLE accounts and special needs trusts. Each video overs:
The benefits of each resource
How they work
What they can pay for
How to get startedThe videos are available in English and Spanish.
The HealthWell Foundation aims to reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-altering diseases. It provides financial assistance to eligible individuals to cover copays, health care premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
Illinois ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without losing, or losing access to, federal means-tested benefits such as SSI, SSDI and Medicaid. Earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if they are spent on a broad range of qualified disability expenses including housing, health and wellness, education and training, therapy, basic living expenses and more.