Health & Benefits

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Health & Benefits

SNAP benefits or food stamps
(20 resources)
Food stamps or SNAP benefits basics
Explore the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, and how it can help people with food insecurity.
Guide
SNAP benefits or food stamps
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about getting help with buying food through the SNAP program, also known as food stamps.
FAQ
Appealing a SNAP benefits decision
Discover how to appeal a SNAP benefits decision, from the forms you need to how the court hearing works.
How-To
Applying for emergency SNAP benefits
This how-to discusses steps for applying for emergency SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps. These requests are processed faster than the normal 30 day period.
How-To
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TANF benefits
(13 resources)
Getting temporary financial help with TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) gives temporary financial help to pregnant women and families.
Guide
Applying for TANF benefits
Explore the steps to get TANF, from the forms you need to how long the process takes.
How-To
Appealing a TANF benefits decision
Discover the steps to appeal any decision that denied, changed, or stopped TANF benefits.
How-To
TANF payment levels
Gives details about the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and explains that the amount you receive from TANF depends on a few factors, including your income.
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General Assistance
(5 resources)
General Assistance basics
Read more about General Assistance programs that help people meet their basic needs.
Guide
Applying for General Assistance
Steps to get General Assistance through your local township and how long they have to approve or deny the application.
How-To
Appealing a General Assistance decision
Steps to appeal a decision that denied, changed, or stopped General Assistance benefits and how long the process takes.
How-To
General Assistance
Learn about eligibility, applying for, and receiving help from your township's General Assistance program.
FAQ
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
(14 resources)
Disabilities guidebook: social security disability benefits
Describes your rights to social security disability benefits and supplemental security income.
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Apply for SSI and SSDI at a local social security office
Explains how to begin an application for Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance
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Eligible for supplemental security income or SSI benefits
Explains qualifications to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.
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Being a representative payee for SSI and Social Security
Learn about the rules and responsibilities of being a representative payee for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security.
FAQ
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
(13 resources)
Disabilities guidebook: social security disability benefits
Describes your rights to social security disability benefits and supplemental security income.
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Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits
A brief explanation of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Disability Evaluation under Social Security (SSD/SSDI) and how to apply for each.
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Fight a denial, reduction, or end in Social Security benefits
Steps to appeal a Social Security decision from the deadlines you must follow to how the administrative hearing works.
How-To
How to handle Social Security overpayments
Learn about your options if the Social Security Administration overpays you, including your right to appeal, ask for a waiver, or negotiate a payment plan.
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Aid to the aged, blind, disabled (AABD)
(6 resources)
Assistance for older adults and people with disabilities
Explains who qualifies for AABD benefits in Illinois. Recipients receive cash and medical assistance.
Guide
Applying for AABD benefits
Steps to apply for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) benefits including how to appeal an AABD decision.
How-To
Disabilities recognized under the ADA
Explains what kind of impairments count as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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ID cards for people with disabilities
Outlines getting a state ID that proves your disability and the qualifications for getting one.
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Medicaid
(12 resources)
Medicaid basics
Get the facts on Medicaid for Illinois residents.
Guide
Medicaid common questions
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicaid, including who is eligible and what services are covered.
FAQ
Applying for Medicaid
Review the steps you need to take to apply for and renew Medicaid.
How-To
Spend-down process for Medicaid
Get the facts on how someone can qualify for Medicaid even if they're over-income through the spend-down process.
FAQ
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Medicare
(12 resources)
Getting Medicare benefits
Explore the basics of Medicare, including who is eligible and the four parts of Medicare.
Guide
Medicare Part D drug coverage
Discover more about the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, what it covers and how to apply.
FAQ
Appealing a Medicare claim denial decision
Steps to appeal for Medicare if you were denied or think you were not given the proper amount of benefits.
How-To
Understanding Medigap
Describes Medigap insurance from private companies which supplement your Medicare insurance.
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Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)
(3 resources)
All Kids health insurance
Discover answers to the most frequently asked questions about the All Kids health insurance program for children.
FAQ
Applying for All Kids health insurance
Steps to apply for and receive All Kids health insurance including how to appeal a denial.
How-To
All Kids health insurance basics
Learn about the All Kids health insurance program, including eligibility and coverage.
Guide
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Retirement benefits (Social Security Administration)
(12 resources)
Social Security benefits
An article that explains how to apply for Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. These are available for retired workers and families, and people with disabilities.
Guide
I want a new or replacement social security card
Explains the process of how to get a new or replacement social security card.
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Representative payees for SSI and Social Security recipients
Explains what a representative payee is, their responsibilities, and how they are chosen.
FAQ
How to handle Social Security overpayments
Learn about your options if the Social Security Administration overpays you, including your right to appeal, ask for a waiver, or negotiate a payment plan.
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Survivor benefits (Social Security Administration)
(5 resources)
How to handle Social Security overpayments
Learn about your options if the Social Security Administration overpays you, including your right to appeal, ask for a waiver, or negotiate a payment plan.
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Social Security's Appeals Council
Learn about where the Appeals Council fits in the Social Security appeals process, how to request a review from the Appeals Council, and what to expect at the Appeals Council.
FAQ
Social Security survivor benefits
Learn more about what Social Security survivor benefits are, who qualifies for them, and how to apply.
FAQ
Going to a Social Security Administration office
Learn more about going to a Social Security Administration office and how to make an appointment beforehand.
FAQ
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Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
(1 resources)
Veterans benefits and resources
Explains benefits and resources offered by federal, state, and county governments for veterans, their dependents, and their survivors. Also links to resources about taking time off of work for military service.
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Disaster Relief
(1 resources)
Resources for disaster relief
Learn about state and federal disaster relief resources, emergency financial assistance, and insurance basics.
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Other public benefits issues
(9 resources)
Applying for funeral and burial costs from IDHS
Learn who may be eligible for reimbursement for funeral and burial costs from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the steps to apply.
How-To
Government benefits for immigrants
Discover different government assistance programs available for immigrants and the qualifications for those programs.
FAQ
US federal poverty guidelines
See the current US federal poverty level numbers.
Link
The low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP)
Learn about how the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP can help low-income households pay for utilities like electric, heat, and gas.
Guide
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Medical or nursing home care
(17 resources)
Understanding nursing home resident's rights
Explains what you can expect if you are moving to a long-term care facility.
Guide
My rights in a nursing home
Know your rights as a nursing home resident, including your financial rights, health care rights, and right to be free from abuse.
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Community spouse rules for Medicaid
Describes financial rules for couples when one person receives Medicaid and is in a nursing home.
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I’m putting my family member in a nursing home. What should I do legally?
Explains how to place a family member into a nursing home legally.
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Mental health care
(18 resources)
Getting an involuntary admission order
Explains the process for getting a loved one admitted to a mental health facility.
How-To
Being admitted to a mental health facility in an emergency
If you need immediate hospitalization to protect yourself or others from physical harm, you may be admitted through the admission by emergency certification process.
How-To
Getting mental health care for a loved one
Information about rights in a voluntary or involuntary admission, transfer, and discharge.
Guide
Mental health treatment for children
Describes when children may receive outpatient mental health care without parental consent, and explains the special rules that govern the hospitalization and discharge of children from mental health care facilities.
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Private health insurance
(4 resources)
What is COBRA?
Learn about COBRA, a federal law that gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan.
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Health insurance if you don't qualify for Medicaid
Learn about health insurance options if you don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, including coverage through the Illinois Marketplace.
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Understanding Medigap
Describes Medigap insurance from private companies which supplement your Medicare insurance.
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Health insurance under the Affordable Care Act
Learn about marketplace health insurance, including different coverage options and essential health benefits covered under the Affordable Care Act.
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Planning for loss of health or life
(7 resources)
Planning for loss of health or life
Learn about advanced planning options for your health care so you can ensure your wishes are known for future decisions.
FAQ
Living Will basics
Learn about using a Living Will to share your wishes about death-delaying medical care with your doctor if you are terminally ill.
Guide
Power of attorney for health care basics
Learn how to give someone the ability to make health care decisions for you.
Guide
How to create a Living Will
Discover the steps to create a Living Will, who you should share your Living Will with, and how to cancel a Living Will.
How-To
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Other medical and health care issues
(4 resources)
How do you get medical cannabis?
Explains the medical cannabis program (MPC) in Illinois, including who qualifies, how to apply, and how to renew your registration.
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Abortion law in Illinois
Learn more about abortion and reproduction law in Illinois.
FAQ
Legal protections during an opioid overdose
Describes the protections you have under the Opioid Overdose Reduction Act.
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Resources for people struggling with substance use disorders
Describes the Substance Use Disorder Act and includes resources for people struggling with substance use disorders.
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