MLP-Illinois
- Mar 28, 2022
- 4 min read

Guide to Public Benefits & Other Resources

Updated: Jun 3, 2022

Author: Marc Raifman, Staff Attorney, Public Benefits Practice Group, Legal Aid Chicago

Health Forward MLP at Legal Aid Chicago has created this reference guide organized by goal for your patients and members. Some important points to remember:

(1) This is NOT everything as there are always more programs and changes happening; it does

contain most Public Benefits offered.

(2) Many of these programs have income- demographic- and other limitations that do not

appear on this page. Click the links for more information about any particular program; you

can also reach out us if you have question.

Please direct all complaints, grievances and appeals of this guide to MRaifman@legalaidchicago.org

ILLINOIS PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAMS

1. For Cash

TANF (for expecting mothers and families with dependent children and very low income)
AABD Cash (generally for those whose only income is SSI)
WIC (cash but with limits to food purchases for expecting mothers and those with young children)
VTTC (cash and food-purchase limited cash for non-citizens victims of trafficking, torture and other serious crimes in U.S. or abroad; ongoing program in 2022)
General Assistance (available only outside of Chicago depending on municipality policy)

2. For Food

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, i.e. cash with limits on what you can buy)
PEBT (SNAP substituting for in-school lunch assistance during the pandemic; inactive as of February 2022; may return)

3. For Utilities

LIHEAP (heating bill assistance) & LIHWAP (water bill assistance)

4. For Other Assistance

Mutual Aid (*non-governmental programs, could be helpful but applicants should be careful with sharing sensitive information*)
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt

STATE/FEDERAL FUNDED HEALTHCARE COVERAGE

1. Medicaid

Low-Income Adult (standard Medicaid)
AABD Medicaid for people with a disability (already approved by Social Security) or 65+
Family Health Plans & AllKids Medicaid (premiums reduced or eliminated for non-parent guardians and lower-income families)
Medicaid for children under DCFS care or supervision and former foster care children through age 26
Coverage for immigrant senior
Long Term Care Medicaid (*Subject to Public Charge*)
VTTC (non-citizen) Medicaid
Emergency (non-citizen) Medicaid
Moms and Babies (expecting mothers and those with young children)

2. Veterans Care

3. Medicare

4. Medicare Savings Program

(Medicaid that covers Medicare premiums & co-pays)

5. "Extra Help"

(Medicare/Prescription Drug Plan)

6. Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

7. State Hemophilia Program

8. State Renal Dialysis Program

9. State Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Program

HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR THOSE INELIGIBLE FOR STATE/FEDERAL PLANS LISTED ABOVE?

1. ACA Healthcare Marketplace

Shop for plans not tied to employment; best to warn shoppers that when they list their phone

numbers they should expect numerous phone calls from aggressive brokers that week

2. Care for Non-Citizens

NEED INCOME WHILE UNEMPLOYED AND LOOKING FOR WORK?

Unemployment Insurance

NEED INCOME WHILE HURT AND NOT LOOKING FOR WORK?

1. Workers compensation

2. Temporary disability

(not provided by the State, must be purchased by the worker)

3. Social Security disability (Both SSI and SSDI)

4. Student Loan Forgiveness (IBR; PSLF)

NEED HELP TO ACCESS RETIREMENT BENEFITS?

1. Private Pension

(Pension Action Center in Boston available to help Illinois residents)

2. Social Security Retirement (or SSI if over 65)

HELP WITH PERSONAL HEALTH CARE OR CHILD CARE?

1. IDHS Child Care Assistance

2. Personal Assistant/Home Health Aide

PERMANENT HOUSING SUPPORT?

(See also Legal Aid Chicago’s “Housing Navigation” Guide below with additional resources for Veterans, Seniors, individuals living with HIV and others)