Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services – PUNS

Beginning the process

Service Coordinators will meet face-to-face with enrollees.

Illinois Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) is a statewide database which serves as a waiting list for individuals who are planning or seeking Developmental Disability Waiver Services through the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Developmental Disabilities. Individuals who are eligible for PUNS enrollment are those suspected to have a developmental disability or a related condition (i.e. Intellectual Disability, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injury). All new PUNS enrollments are conducted face-to-face with one of our Individual Service Coordinators (ISC) who is a registered Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP). Once enrolled on the database, the registration must be updated annually and this can be conducted over the phone with the option for a face-to-face meeting. A face-to face is required if there is a change in categories. It should be noted that inclusion on the database does not assume eligibility for services or receipt of waiver services.

As funding is available, individuals are selected from the PUNS database and are invited to apply for Medicaid Waiver services. The individual will receive a letter from DHS/DD notifying them that they have been selected and should reach out to their Independent Service Coordination Agency (Service, Inc.) to begin planning for the eligibility process and waiver services. Click the below link for the State of Illinois’ Prioritization of Urgency of Need brochure for additional information.