Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities

10/31/2025

"At core, Defendants' conclusion that USDA is statutorily prohibited from funding SNAP because Congress has not enacted new appropriations for the current fiscal year is erroneous," Talwani wrote. "To the contrary, Defendants are statutorily mandated to use the previously appropriated SNAP contingency reserve when necessary and also have discretion to use other previously appropriated funds.

Two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration will have until Monday to decide whether it will partially or fully fund November's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

10/31/2025

Thank you State Rep Theresa Mah for supporting intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health services and supports in Illinois!

10/30/2025

Thank you Representative Dagmara Avelar for supporting intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health services and supports in Illinois!

10/29/2025

Thank you Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch for supporting intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health services and supports in Illinois

10/29/2025

In dark times such as these - SNAP benefits being cut off on Saturday without Congressional action, it is amazing when leaders can shine a bright light. Tonight State Representative Laura Faver Dias advanced House Joint Resolution 44 unanimously out of the Illinois House of Representatives. HJR 44 - with 36 bi-partisan co-sponsors and over 1,000 witness slips in support - urges the Illinois Department of Human Services to delay cuts to Direct Support Professional (DSP) service hours in group homes until further work can be done to implement recommendations from the Guidehouse Rate Study.

Earlier today, John Porter with The Arc of Illinois provided testimony on his life experiences moving from a state center into community living at a group home - testimony that helped ground the importance of DSP service hours to members of the House Committee. Our colleague Luis Andrade provided testimony on behalf of IARF.

Thank you to State Representative Laura Faver Dias, The Arc of Illinois, the They Deserve More Coalition, advocates across Illinois, and all members of the Illinois House for their support.

On to the Senate!

10/28/2025

The 2025 class of IARFuture Leadership Initiative has gathered for their final module: “Strategic Thinking and Planning,” led by the amazing crew from Glenkirk, Search, Inc. and the Keystone Alliance.

10/28/2025

Thank you State Representative Anna Moeller, 43rd District for supporting intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health services and supports in Illinois!

10/27/2025

Thank you State Rep. Katie Stuart for supporting intellectual/developmental disability and behavioral health services and supports in Illinois!

10/26/2025

While resources and flexibilities were identified to pay troops, no similar action will be taken by the Administration to assist the over 40 million Americans enrolled in SNAP.

The Agriculture Department says it can't use contingency funds to pay for food stamps during the government shutdown — and that states won't be reimbursed if they cover the expenses on their own, according to a new memo obtained by Axios.”

https://www.axios.com/2025/10/24/gov-shutdown-snap-payments-emergency-fundsieiieeke

States also won't be reimbursed if they cover SNAP expenses on their own, the memo says.

10/26/2025

Thank you State Representative Michelle Mussman for supporting disability and behavioral health services in Illinois!

10/25/2025

Thank you State Rep. Nabeela Syed for supporting disability and behavioral health services in Illinois.

10/24/2025

Earlier today the Social Security Administration officially announced a 2.8% cost of living increase (COLA) for benefits starting in 2026. This will increase benefits for individuals with disabilities, such as supplemental security income and will increase the personal needs allowance (PNA) for group home residents.

Baltimore, MD – The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today that Social Security benefits, including Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance …