Veterans Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Program
Vets Cash
CSFA Number: 497-00-1177
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Veterans' Affairs (497)
Agency Identification
Illinois Department Veterans Affairs
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
100% of the net proceeds from Illinois lottery ticket sales are used to support Illinois veterans. On a quarterly basis, IDVA's Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help veterans address challenges associated with PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs, long-term care, disability benefits, and job placement and training.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
20 ILCS 1605/21.6
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
Title 95: Veterans and Military Affairs, Chapter 1: Department of Veterans Affairs, Part 125 Veterans Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Program, Section 125
Objective
To support Illinois Veterans.
UGA Program Terms
Illinois Administrative Code, Title 95, Chapter 1, Part 125
20 ILCS 1605/21.5 Illinois Lottery Law
30 ILCS 705 Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act
CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements
Eligible Applicants
Government Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations;
Applicant Eligibility
Government agencies and tax-exempt entities currently providing veteran’s assistance of similar assistance to non-veterans and wishing to expand to veteran’s assistance are the only organizations eligible for grants under this program.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Illinois veterans.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specific Use
Subject / Service Area
Human Services
Credentials / Documentation
To support the tax-exempt eligibility, proof of 501(c) (3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service must be provided.
Preapplication Coordination
As needed.
Application Procedures
Application and Budget are available in user/printer friendly format and may be found on the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs website. Please click on the corresponding link: https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/programs/Pages/veterans-cash.aspx
Criteria Selecting Proposals
The Grant Authorization Committee will perform a Merit Based Review of the Competitive Grant Applications in accordance with 2CFR Section 200.204. The review will be based solely on criteria identified in the grant application, budget and previous grant history. The evaluation will be based on a numerical rating and will contain at a minimum:
a. A scoring Rubric to reflect the evaluation criteria.
b. Evaluation Committee members must have an individual score sheet which is completed independent of the whole committee.
c. A summary score sheet that shows the comparative scores and resulting finalist for award must be completed.
d. Any significant or substantial variance between evaluator scores shall be reviewed and documented, including revision of individual scores.
Award Procedures
State Award Notices
o Applicants that are not selected to receive grant funds will receive a non-funding notice via email or letter to the Authorized Representative on the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance.
o Applicants recommended for funding under the NOFO will receive a “Notice of State Award” (NOSA) will be issued to the Authorized Representative on the Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance. The entity must complete the following pre-award requirements: (a) Grantee pre-qualification, (b) Internal Control Questionnaire, (c) Fiscal and Administrative Risk Assessment, and (d) Programmatic Risk Assessment. The NOSA will identify additional grant award requirements that must be met before a grant award can be executed such as specific funding terms and specific conditions resulting from the pre-award risk assessments. The NOSA will be provided through the Grantee Portal.
Deadlines
Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates
a. The awarding of grants will be quarterly on a competitive basis. Final award decisions will be made by the Director of Veterans Affairs.
b. If an award decision is made, the entity must complete the following pre-award requirements:
o Grantee pre-qualification
o Internal Control Questionnaire
o Fiscal and Administrative Risk Assessment
o Programmatic Risk Assessment
c. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to cover unserved areas that may result from this process or modify the overall budget request to meet the funding availability.
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
Possibly within 8 - 10 weeks after the quarter closes.
Appeals
Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal.
Renewals
Grants are for a period of one year. Expenditure authorization passed by the committee may
be extended by the Department for no more than 12 months.
Uses and Restrictions
Grant funding must address one of the following issues: Homelessness, PTSD, Long-term care, Disability Benefits, Job Training and Placement and Health Insurance Costs.
Reports
1. Recipients are required to provide each quarter an IDVA Periodic Financial Report and an IDVA Periodic Performance Report through vets.cash@illinois.gov.
2. In addition, at the end of the award period, recipients must submit an IDVA Final Financial Report and an IDVA Final Performance Report that is cumulative over the entire award period. The final reports are due 30 days after the end of the award.
Audits
1. Single Audit and Program Specific Audit Reports. Single audits conducted in
accordance with this Section, including any program or regulatory audit requirements, must
be completed and the reporting packet must be submitted by the non-federal entity (grantee/subrecipient) to the Federal Audit Clearing House, as required by UG section 200.512. The results of peer and external quality control reviews, management letters, AU325 communications and Consolidated Year-End Financial Report must be submitted to the GATA Grantee Portal. Due date of the submission is the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor's reports or 9 months after the end of the non-federal entity's audit period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or State/federal holiday, the reporting packet is due the next business day.
2. Financial Statement Audits conducted in accordance with this Section must be completed
and the reporting packet must be submitted by the non-federal entity to the GATA Grantee Portal within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor's reports or 6 months after the end of the non-federal entity's audit period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or State/federal holiday, the reporting packet is
due the next business day.
3. Non-Federal Entities that are not required to have an audit conducted are required to
submit a Consolidated Year-end Financial Report.
Records
Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to an award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report.
Account Identification
497
Obligations
PY $932,583
CY $1,200,000
BY $1,200,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The grants typically range from $25,000 - $100,000 per year.
Program Accomplishments
Since February 2006, the Grant Committee has authorized over 397 grants totaling $18.3 million.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
• Illinois Lottery Law, 20 ILCS 1605/21.6
• Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act, 30 ILCS 705
• Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (“IDVA”) Act, 20 ILCS 2805
• Grant Accountability Transparency Act (“GATA”), 2 CFR 200
• Administrative Rules for Veteran’s Scratch-Off Lottery Grant Program, 95 Ill. Admin. Code 125
Regional or Local Assistance Location
Springfield, IL
Headquarters Office
833 S. Spring St, Springfield, IL 62794
Program Website
https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/programs/Pages/veterans-cash.aspx
Example Projects
Roof replacement for a homeless shelter, stand down events, legal aid, assist with obtaining veterans benefits, and software program training.
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2016 : $672,575
FY 2017 : $893,449
FY 2018 : $630,075
FY 2019 : $711,298
FY 2020 : $1,000,000
FY 2021 : $1,200,000
FY 2022 : $2,000,000
FY 2023 : $1,500,000
FY 2024 : $2,000,000
FY 2025 : $2,000,000
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
TOP 5 ACTIVE AWARDS
Agency ID | Grantee Name | Start Date | End Date | Amount |
775 | Regional Housing & Supportive Services, Inc. | 01/01/2024 | 12/31/2024 | 100,000 |
776 | Safer Foundation | 01/01/2024 | 12/31/2024 | 100,000 |
| Safer Foundation | 01/01/2024 | 12/31/2024 | 100,000 |
775 | Regional Housing & Supportive Services, Inc. | 01/01/2024 | 12/31/2024 | 100,000 |
776 | Safer Foundation | 01/01/2024 | 12/31/2024 | 100,000 |