Health & Benefits

You must file a signed application to find out if you're eligible for Medicaid. You can apply: 

• Online, 

• with a paper application, 

• at your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office, 

• or over the phone. 

You can also receive information about your eligibility for Medicaid and other health insurance benefits through your Illinois income tax return.

There are professionals who can help you apply for Medicaid at your local medical center or hospital.

Medicaid coverage can be given for past medical bills, up to 3 full months before the date that you apply. However, you must have been eligible during that time. This is called medical backdating of eligibility. You should check off on the application that you have unpaid medical bills from the 3-month period before your application. This is so that you are considered for backdating as long as you met Illinois residency requirements during that time.

Applying online

You can apply online using the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) Portal.

Typically, it is better to apply online. Filing online is faster and you don’t have to  wait in line. If you file online, you will receive a tracking number for your application. This number is proof that you applied. You can also use it to check on the status of your application.

Applying with a paper application

You can download a paper application. A Spanish version is also available. Just follow the directions on the form and sign the form. You can submit the application by mail, fax, or dropping it off at your local DHS office. The address and fax number for submission can be found on the application. 

Applying at your local DHS office

You can use DHS Office Locator to find the office closest to you. You can drop off a completed application or ask for an application to fill out there.

Applying over the phone

If you have questions or need help with an application, you call the toll-free ABE Help Line at (800) 843-6154 (Voice) or (800) 324-5553, 711 (TTY).

DHS may need more information or documentation from you to process your application. If you do not send this information, approval of your Medicaid benefits could be delayed or you could be denied Medicaid benefits. The deadline for when this information needs to be submitted can be found in the notice DHS sends you requesting the information. If you have questions about what to submit, you can call the DHS Customer Help Line at (800) 843-6154 or visit your local DHS office.

You can contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) to get an update on your application while you wait. You can call the DHS Customer Help Line at (800) 843-6154. Or, you can visit your local DHS office.

Medicaid eligibility is re-determined every year. Each year, an automated system will determine whether you are eligible for automatic renewal. If you are eligible, you will be sent a letter from the state informing you of your continued eligibility. You don’t have to respond if the information on the form is complete and accurate. If the information on the form isn’t complete and accurate, you have 30 days to report changes.

If you aren’t eligible for automatic renewal, you will be sent a different form. You must respond within 30 days by mail, by fax, or online. If you do, your benefits will continue until a review of your form is completed. When the review is done, you will be sent a notice of the result.

If you don’t respond within 30 days, your benefits will end automatically. If this happens to you, there is a 90-day reinstatement period. If you return the form within 90 days of when your benefits ended and you are eligible, your coverage will be continued.

If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you can try to connect to coverage at work or through the official Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for Illinois. If you disagree with the decision that you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you can appeal.

If you need help with your renewal, you can call DHS at 1-800-843-6154.