Illinois Medicaid provides free or low-cost medical coverage for eligible low-income residents, including those who are disabled, blind or over the age of 64. The primary benefits funded by Medicaid are doctor visits, hospital stays and long-term care in a nursing home. However, financial assistance is also available to pay for some assisted living services in Illinois through a Medicaid waiver known as the Supportive Living program, listed below.
To qualify for medical coverage through Illinois Medicaid, participants must be permanent residents of the state and U.S. citizens or have appropriate immigration status. Participants must also meet financial eligibility criteria: The maximum income level per year is $17,236 for an individual and $23,336 for a couple.
To apply for Illinois Medicaid, contact the Health Benefits hotline at (800) 843-6154 or complete the Application for Benefits Eligibility online.
Supportive Living Program
In Illinois, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services offers a waiver to help pay for services not routinely covered by Medicaid, including assisted living. The Supportive Living program can help low-income seniors pay for care services in approved SLP assisted living communities, providing an alternative to nursing home care.
To qualify, participants must undergo a preadmission screening and require a nursing facility level of care. Participants must also be financially eligible for Medicaid and have Supplemental Security Income no less than the current maximum allowable amount ($771 for an individual or $1,157 for a couple).
Though there is an enrollment cap for the SLP waiver, the state does offer a large number of slots, and many more approved Supportive Living program residences are being built throughout Illinois. It’s important to note this program may help pay for assisted living services such as personal care, medication management and recreational activities, but it doesn’t pay for room and board.
To learn more about SLP, contact the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services at (844) 528-8444.