Over 7,000 Homeless ID Cards Issued

At a Commission on Poverty hearing two months ago in Chicago, a homeless youth identified the red tape involved in obtaining a Link card. One of the barriers he identified is the cost to obtain a government issued ID. However, Illinois has made strides on this particular issue.
Two years ago, Governor Quinn signed P.A. 96-0183 which eliminates fees for homeless individuals seeking a state ID. Since the law went into effect on July 1, 2010, more than 7,000 homeless ID cards have been issued by the state.

Waiving the ID fee is especially helpful for homeless individuals who are unable to pay the required $20. With a government issued photo ID, homeless individuals can obtain assistance such as SNAP, social security disability, supplement security income, etc.

The card also allows service providers to help the individuals that their programs and missions are intended to serve. Certain programs, such as job training, require service providers to document the identification of the individuals that they serve through government issued ID cards. Before the passage of P.A. 96-0183, some service providers were devoting funds to Illinois ID cards in order to ensure that homeless individuals were able to obtain necessary services.

It should be clear, though, that the objective of the Illinois law is to waive the ID card fees. Anyone attempting to obtain a state ID must provide acceptable documents to the DMV. Additionally, homeless individuals are required to submit a Homeless Status Certification document completed by a shelter or service agency.

Since Heartbeat reported on the passage of this legislation in August 2009, other states have attempted to follow Illinois’ model. Connecticut adopted a similar law in March 2010 to waive fees for residents of homeless shelters or other such facilities for homeless individuals. Texas is considering legislation which will waive the fees for a photo IDs for homeless individuals. The language in that bill caps the number of individuals receiving the waiver to no more than 10,000 every two years. Last year, Michigan introduced a bill to waive the fee for homeless individuals. The bill remains with the state’s appropriations committee.

With the increasing episodes of homelessness, it is good to remind everyone of the Illinois’ initiatives. It is also a reminder that one small document can provide a path to self-sufficiency.