Health & Benefits resources

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Health & Benefits

Health & Benefits