1. a) The target group is displaced homemakers, to which assistance is necessary for them to be able to become independent and to gain economic security. In Section 3 of the Displaced Homemakers Assistance Act [20 ILCS 615/3], a displaced homemaker is defined as follows:

   "Displaced homemaker" means a person who (1) has worked in the home for a substantial number of years providing unpaid household services for family members; (2) is not gainfully employed; (3) has difficulty in securing employment; and (4) was dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by such income, or was dependent on federal assistance but is no longer eligible for such assistance.

2. b) The Department of Labor intends General Revenue Funds to be used to provide services to displaced homemakers, particularly in the areas of job training and job placement. The displaced homemaker, in order to be eligible to receive tuition-paid training through the program, must show a financial inability to pay tuition. Financial inability will be determined by a sliding fee scale based on income. The sliding fee scale will be developed by each Displaced Homemakers Center, subsequently approved by the Department of Labor. The Department will provide a sample which is reasonable. Tuition and stipends will be awarded only on a financial need basis and amounts will vary with the area according to costs of community college classes and other education or training available.

(Source: Amended at 25 Ill. Reg. 916, effective January 5, 2001)