Health & Benefits

You can apply for AABD on the DHS website, or in person at your local DHS office, or by calling (866) 311-1119. DHS will ask you for proof of your income, assets, Anything a person owns that has financial value and expenses. DHS is required to process your application within 45 days if you are aged or blind or within 60 days if you have a disability. A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. They must give you a written notice telling you if your application was accepted or denied.

You may file an appeal A request to change a court's decision of any decision to deny, To refuse or say no change, or stop AABD benefits. You can file an appeal by:

• Online with your ABE account,
• Email to [email protected],
• Fax to (312) 793-3387,
• Phone to (800) 435-0774,
• In writing at your local DHS office or by calling, or
• Mail letter requesting hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer to IL Department of Human Services, Bureau of Hearings, 69 W. Washington, 4th Floor, Chicago IL 60602 

You must file an appeal for cash benefits issues within 60 days of the date of the written notice. Be sure to get some kind of a record that you filed your appeal showing the date it was filed. 

To keep getting payments during an appeal, A request to change a court's decision you must appeal within 10 days of the date of the notice of change or before the date of change becomes effective (the date the change becomes effective is included on the notice of change), whichever is later. However, if DHS's decision to cut back or stop your benefits was correct, you will owe DHS the difference between what you received during the appeal and what you should have gotten. This is called an overpayment.

After you file the appeal, A request to change a court's decision IDHS will hold a pre-appeal conference. You will meet with your case manager and their supervisor. They will explain why your benefits changed and answer A written statement used to respond to the complaint or petition in a lawsuit any questions you might have.  

If your application was denied, or your AABD payments were changed or ended because of a mistake or a misunderstanding about the facts, IDHS may agree to approve the case or restore your full benefits right away. If not, DHS will schedule a fair hearing. When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer If you now agree with IDHS, they may ask you to sign a Request to Withdraw Appeal. If you sign this form, your appeal will be over. You should not sign the Request to Withdraw Appeal if you do not agree with IDHS after the pre-appeal conference. 

Usually, the fair hearing is held at the local IDHS office that handles your case. If you have a disability A substantial impairment that functionally limits a person in carrying out major life activities, such as walking, lifting, seeing, or learning. and are physically unable to come to your local office, or need some other kind of accommodation, contact the Bureau of Assistance Hearings right away at (800) 435-0774.

An impartial, or fair, hearing officer will hold the hearing. At the hearing, you may bring anyone to represent you, including a lawyer. Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice You may also represent yourself. You will have the following rights at the hearing:

• To present your testimony Evidence given orally by witnesses and other witnesses in support of your claim,
• To present documents that support your case,
• To examine the records relied on by IDHS, and
• To cross-examine other witnesses.

Copies of the parts of the case record with IDHS that are relevant to your appeal shall be provided for free if you ask for them. 

After the hearing, the hearing officer will give their decision in writing.