DHS/Early Intervention, like most other State Agencies, is experiencing severe delays in payments from the State of Illinois. The impact of these delays is the lack of funds to pay providers of the system. Early Intervention receives funding from multiple sources and every effort is made to minimize the delays.
The Early Intervention program receives funding from the State of Illinois (via the General Revenue Fund), Part C IDEA federal funds, Medicaid, Family Fees and even some temporary federal Stimulus funds. According to federal guidelines, DHS cannot receive the federal funds or the federal Stimulus funds until State funds are spent. Based on the current status of the General Revenue Fund for the State, DHS/Early Intervention must wait for deposits to be made into the Early Intervention Revolving Fund. Until these state funds are deposited and spent, federal funds and Stimulus funds cannot be accessed.
At this time Early Intervention Providers are not eligible for potential Hardship or Expedited Payments. Early Intervention is also not a potential claimant for Unemployment Compensation Benefits from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Finally, at this time, Early Intervention is not mandated by any state or federal law to provide interest payments for delayed payments. Early Intervention is looking into recent changes to the Prompt Payment act that may impact EI providers.
We hope this information helps providers understand more fully the situation. While we regret and are very aware of the impact delays of payments have on everyone, the Illinois Department of Human Services/Bureau of Early Intervention must adhere to the state payment process.