Benefits for seniors in Illinois

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Illinois Medicaid for older adults is called AABD Medical. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) takes applications. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) runs the program.

• Income: Up to $1,330 a month for one person, or $1,803 for a couple, in 2026. This is 100% of the poverty level. Illinois does not count the first $25 of your monthly income.
• Assets: Up to $17,500, whether you are single or married. Some things, such as your home, are not counted.
• Over the income limit? You may still qualify through a spenddown. Your medical bills are used to bring your income down to the limit.

What it covers: Doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, nursing home care and home care. If you also have Medicare, Medicaid helps fill the gaps.

Long-term care Medicaid: Medicaid can pay for nursing home care or services at home. If you are married and your spouse stays at home, Illinois protects some money for them. In 2026 your spouse can keep up to $162,660 in assets and up to $4,066.50 a month in income. If your home equity is over $752,000, Medicaid may not pay for long-term care. Giving away assets before you apply can cause a waiting period.

Estate recovery: After you die, Illinois may ask your estate to repay Medicaid long-term care costs. Recovery waits while a spouse is alive, or if you have a child under 21 or a child who is blind or disabled. The first $25,000 of an estate is protected.

Help paying Medicare costs

Illinois has three Medicare Savings Programs. Illinois calls SLMB "SLIB."

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Income up to $1,330 a month for one person, or $1,803 for a couple.
• SLIB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to about $1,595 a month for one person, or $2,163 for a couple.
• QI-1 (Qualifying Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to about $1,794 a month for one person, or $2,433 for a couple.

Illinois does not count the first $25 of your income, so your real limit is a little higher than these numbers.

Asset limit: $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. SLIB and QI-1 can be backdated up to 3 months.

If you qualify for any of these programs, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.

Prescription drug help

Illinois does not have a separate state drug payment program for seniors. The main help is federal Extra Help. It lowers your Medicare Part D premiums and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to about $23,940 a year for one person. SHIP counselors can help you apply and compare drug plans for free.

Extra state payment with SSI

Illinois has a state cash program called AABD Cash. It can add to SSI for people 65 and over, blind or disabled. You may get it if you receive SSI, or were denied SSI because of income.

• There is no set payment amount. A caseworker adds up your basic monthly costs, such as rent and utilities, up to a state maximum. If your income is less than those costs, AABD Cash pays the difference.
• Apply at your local IDHS office or by phone. Call the IDHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-866-324-5553).

See SSI for the federal payment.

Food help

Illinois's food program is SNAP, run by IDHS. Apply online through the IDHS "Apply for Cash, SNAP and Medical Assistance" page at dhs.state.il.us, or at your local IDHS office. IDHS has a SNAP eligibility calculator on its website.

• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: If you are 60 or older with income at or below 185% of the poverty level (about $2,461 a month for one person), you can get up to $40 in checks for fresh produce. The 2026 season runs July 10 to October 31 in 37 counties. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging, or in Chicago, the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Checks go first come, first served.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Monthly USDA food boxes for people 60 and over with low income.

Help staying at home

The Community Care Program (CCP), run by the Illinois Department on Aging, helps people 60 and over who would otherwise need a nursing home stay at home.

• Who qualifies: You are 60 or older, live in Illinois, have non-exempt assets of $17,500 or less (your home, car and furniture do not count), and a needs assessment shows you are at risk of nursing home care. You must apply for Medicaid and enroll if you qualify.
• Services: In-home help with chores, meals and bathing; adult day services; emergency home response buttons; and automatic medication dispensers.
• How to apply: Contact your local Care Coordination Unit, or call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966.

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is offered in parts of Chicago, southern Cook County, the Peoria area and the Metro East area. Ask HFS or the Senior HelpLine if you live in a service area.

Property tax and housing help

Contact your county assessment office to apply.

• Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption: If you are 65 or older and own your home, your home's taxable value is cut by up to $8,000 in Cook County and nearby counties, or $5,000 in other counties.
• Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze: Freezes your home's taxable value if you are 65 or older. For tax year 2026 (bills paid in 2027), household income must be $75,000 or less. The limit goes up in 2027 and 2028.
• Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral: If you are 65 or older, the state can pay your property taxes now and you repay later, usually when the home is sold. The total can be up to 80% of your equity in the home. This program was expanded in late 2025. Ask your county for the current income limit.
• Benefit Access Program: If you are 65 or older (or disabled) and your household income last year was $33,562 or less for one person or $44,533 for two, you can get a Ride Free transit card and a license plate discount. Apply online at ilaging.illinois.gov or call 1-800-252-8966.

Help with energy bills

Illinois's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and electric bills.

• Seniors go first: People 60 and over and people with disabilities could apply starting October 1, 2026. Everyone else can apply starting November 1, 2026. Applications close August 13, 2027, or sooner if money runs out.
• Income: Up to 200% of the poverty level. For one person, that is $3,990 in gross income over the last 30 days.
• How to apply: Through your local community action agency, or call 1-833-711-0374 (help in 30 languages).

Free help and counseling

• Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP): Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from the Illinois Department on Aging. Counselors do not sell insurance. Call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 (711 for TRS) or email [email protected].
• Area Agencies on Aging: Illinois has 13 aging regions. They help with meals, caregiver support and the farmers market program. The Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 can point you to yours.
• State aging agency: The Illinois Department on Aging, ilaging.illinois.gov.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for