Benefits
Illinois Benefits for Older Adults
Illinois has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, energy bills, and property taxes on their home. This page lists each kind of help in Illinois, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.
Kinds of benefits in Illinois
The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.
Social Security in Illinois
Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and family members of workers who have died. Field offices can help you apply, replace a card, change your benefit information, and apply for Extra Help with drug costs. Many tasks can be done online or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration |
| How to apply | Online at ssa.gov, by phone, or at a local field office. Use the SSA Office Locator to find your office. |
| Phone | 1-800-772-1213 |
| TTY | 1-800-325-0778 |
| Source | Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicaid for Older Illinoisans (AABD Medical)
Medicaid in Illinois for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled is called AABD Medical. It can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, some dental care, and hospice. In 2026, the income limit is $1,330 a month for one person, and you can have assets up to $17,500. Long-term care has a higher income limit of $2,982 a month for one person. If you are over the limit, a spenddown may still help. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS); Department of Human Services decides eligibility |
| What it covers | Health care Medicare does not pay for on its own, including long nursing home stays, help at home through the Community Care Program, some dental care, rides to care, and hospice. |
| How to apply | Apply online through ABE (abe.illinois.gov) or at a Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: AABD Medical limit is 100 percent of the federal poverty level for 2026 (Illinois Department on Aging SHIP standards, citing HFS/DHS WAG 25-03-02).; Resources: 17500; Resources note: The AABD resource limit is $17,500. Long-term care has a separate special income level of $2,982 a month for one person in 2026 (300 percent of the federal SSI rate).; Monthly income individual: 1330 |
| Source | Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS); Department of Human Services decides eligibility (ilaging.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Illinois notes
- Illinois expanded Medicaid, so adults under 65 can qualify on income alone up to 138 percent of the poverty level, with no asset test for that group.
- People with income or assets over the limit may still qualify through the spenddown program.
- Help at home for people 60 or older is coordinated through the Department on Aging Community Care Program.
Medicare Savings Programs in Illinois
Medicare Savings Programs help pay your Medicare costs, like the Part B premium, co-pays, and deductibles. In Illinois for 2026, QMB helps people with income up to $1,330 a month for one person. SLMB helps up to $1,596 a month, and QI up to $1,796 a month. Resources must be $9,950 or less for one person, or $14,910 for a couple. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) |
| How to apply | Apply online through ABE or at a Department of Human Services office. Free help: SHIP at 1-800-252-8966. |
| Limits 2026 | QI: Income individual: 1796; QMB: Income individual: 1330; SLMB: Income individual: 1596; Resources: Couple: 14910; Individual: 9950 |
| Source | Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) (ilaging.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Illinois notes
- Figures are the 2026 Illinois standards published by the Department on Aging SHIP program; a small income disregard may also apply, and HFS makes the final decision.
- Getting a Medicare Savings Program signs you up for Extra Help with drug costs on its own.
SNAP Food Benefits in Illinois
SNAP helps people with low income buy food. In Illinois, your benefits come on a Link card that works like a debit card. If you are 60 or older, your medical costs may count in a way that raises your benefit, and you can own your home and still get SNAP. The state decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) |
| How to apply | Apply online through ABE (abe.illinois.gov) or at a DHS Family Community Resource Center. |
| Source | Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) (hfs.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Illinois notes
- SNAP benefits in Illinois come on a Link card (EBT).
- Households with a member 60 or older or disabled face only the net income test, and medical costs over $35 a month may raise the benefit.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Illinois
SSI pays monthly cash to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and few resources. For 2026, the federal part pays up to $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple. Your resources must be $2,000 or less for one person, or $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in does not count. Social Security decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration |
| How to apply | Apply with the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at a field office. |
| Phone | 1-800-772-1213 |
| Federal benefit rate | Couple: 1491; Individual: 994 |
| Resource limits | Couple: 3000; Individual: 2000 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Source | Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Illinois notes
- Illinois adds a small state payment through the AABD cash program for some people who get SSI, paid through the Department of Human Services.
- People who get SSI in Illinois also get Medicaid.
Extra Help with Drug Costs in Illinois
Extra Help is a federal Medicare program that pays most of your Part D drug costs if your income and savings are low. It can save thousands of dollars a year on premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. If you get a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you may get Extra Help on its own. Free help to compare drug plans is available from SHIP at 1-800-252-8966. The federal government decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration / Medicare (Extra Help) |
| How to apply | Apply for Extra Help at ssa.gov or by phone at 1-800-772-1213. |
| Extra help | Income rule: Income below 150 percent of the federal poverty level; for a household of one in 2026 that is $23,940 a year.; Resource limits 2026: Couple: 33100; Individual: 16590 |
| Year | 2026 |
| Source | Social Security Administration / Medicare (Extra Help) (secure.ssa.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Illinois notes
- Illinois Senior Care / Senior Care drug coverage was replaced by Medicare Part D; Extra Help is the main drug-cost help for Illinois seniors with low income.
- Free, unbiased help comparing Part D plans is available from SHIP at 1-800-252-8966.
Energy Help in Illinois (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP helps Illinois households with low income pay heating and electric bills. The 2026-27 season opened on October 1, 2026, and older adults could apply first. Households that earn up to twice the poverty level may qualify. You apply through the Community Action Agency for your county. The agency decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) — Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), through local Community Action Agencies |
| How to apply | Apply through your local Community Action Agency or start at the DCEO utility bill help page. Bring proof of income for the last 30 days, your utility bills, and Social Security cards for household members. |
| Facts | Applications for the 2026-27 season opened October 1, 2026 and stay open through August 13, 2027, or until funds run out (DCEO / Governor press release)., Older adults 60 or older, people with a disability, families with young children, and households that are disconnected or about to be disconnected could apply starting October 1, 2026; all other eligible households from November 1, 2026., Families who earn up to two times the federal poverty level may qualify., Help can pay part of a heating or electric bill, and extra help may be there if service is shut off. |
| Source | Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) — Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), through local Community Action Agencies (gov.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Property Tax Relief for Older Illinois Homeowners
Illinois gives older homeowners two main kinds of property tax relief. The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption lowers the taxable value of your home if you are 65 or older and live there. The Senior Freeze can freeze the value your taxes are based on if your total household income was $75,000 or less. You must sign up again each year with your county assessment office. The county decides if you qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Illinois Department of Revenue / Chief County Assessment Office |
| How to apply | Apply with your Chief County Assessment Office (Supervisor of Assessments). Ask for forms PTAX-329 (homestead) and PTAX-340 (freeze). |
| Facts | The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption lowers the taxable value of the home for owners 65 or older who live there. In many counties the reduction is $5,000 of equalized assessed value., The Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (Senior Freeze) freezes the assessed value of the home. For the 2026 tax year, total household income for 2025 must be $75,000 or less (Form PTAX-340, Illinois Department of Revenue)., The freeze does not freeze the tax bill itself — the bill can still go up if tax rates rise. You must apply again each year., The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program can let owners 65 or older put off part of their tax bill; the filing period is January 1 through March 1. |
| Source | Illinois Department of Revenue / Chief County Assessment Office (crawfordcounty.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Aging Services in Illinois (Department on Aging)
The Illinois Department on Aging and local Area Agencies on Aging help people age 60 and older and the people who care for them. They can help you find meals, rides, help at home through the Community Care Program, caregiver support, and benefits you may have missed. Call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-252-8966. Help is free.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Illinois Department on Aging / Area Agencies on Aging |
| How to apply | Call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-252-8966 to reach the Area Agency on Aging for your area. |
| Phone | 1-800-252-8966 |
| Facts | The Department on Aging runs the Community Care Program, which gives help at home — like a home care aide, meals, and day programs — to people 60 or older who might otherwise need a nursing home., Area Agencies on Aging across Illinois give meals, caregiver support, legal help, and benefits checks., The Senior Helpline, 1-800-252-8966, connects you to local aging help. |
| Source | Illinois Department on Aging / Area Agencies on Aging (ilaging.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Free Medicare Counseling in Illinois (SHIP)
SHIP is the Illinois name for the free Medicare counseling program. Counselors can explain Medicare, compare plans, help with appeals, and check if you may qualify for programs that lower your costs, like the Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help. They do not sell insurance. Call 1-800-252-8966 to reach a counselor near you.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) — the Illinois SHIP, Illinois Department on Aging |
| How to apply | Call 1-800-252-8966 (711 TRS) or email [email protected] to reach a SHIP counselor near you. |
| Phone | 1-800-252-8966 |
| Facts | In Illinois, the federal SHIP program is called the Senior Health Insurance Program, also shortened to SHIP., Trained counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help at sites across the state. They do not sell insurance (Department on Aging Medicare Choices Guide for 2026). |
| Source | Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) — the Illinois SHIP, Illinois Department on Aging (ilaging.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Applying for Benefits in Illinois (DHS / ABE)
Most Illinois benefit programs run through the Department of Human Services. You can apply for food help, health coverage, and Medicare Savings Programs in one place online through ABE, or at the DHS office for your area. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bank accounts. The agency makes the final decision.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) — Family Community Resource Centers; ABE online |
| How to apply | Apply online through ABE (abe.illinois.gov) for SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, and cash help in one place, or in person at a DHS Family Community Resource Center. |
| Source | Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) — Family Community Resource Centers; ABE online (hfs.illinois.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Good to know in Illinois
- Medicaid for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled in Illinois is called AABD Medical. In 2026 the income limit is $1,330 a month for one person, and the asset limit is $17,500 — much higher than the old $2,000 limit (Illinois Department on Aging SHIP standards).
- Illinois Medicare Savings Programs in 2026 go up to $1,330 a month for QMB, $1,596 for SLMB, and $1,796 for QI for one person, with resources up to $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple.
- Energy help in Illinois is LIHEAP, run by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through local agencies. Applications for the 2026-27 season opened October 1, 2026, with older adults able to apply first.
- Homeowners 65 or older may get the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, and the Senior Freeze can freeze the assessed value of the home when total household income is $75,000 or less for the 2026 tax year.
- Free Medicare counseling in Illinois is the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), run by the Department on Aging. Call 1-800-252-8966.
- Most benefits are applied for in one place: ABE (abe.illinois.gov) online, or a Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center.
Free local help
Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: