Senior benefits in Illinois

Illinois runs three Medicare Savings Programs, sometimes called Medicare Cost Sharing: QMB, SLIB (Illinois's name for SLMB) and QI-1.

In Illinois, Medicaid for people 65 and older is called AABD Medical (Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled).

Illinois's Senior Health Insurance Program, called SHIP, is a free statewide health insurance counseling service for people with Medicare and their caregivers.

All your Medicare and Medicaid care from one team, including rides, meals and home care, for people 55+ who need a nursing-home level of care.

Medical care, prescriptions and some dental and long-term care for enrolled veterans.

Illinois does not run a program to help older people in general pay for prescriptions; its only state drug program on Medicare's list is for people living with HIV.

Lowers your Part D premium, deductible and copays. You get it automatically with Medicaid, SSI or a Medicare Savings Program.

A yearly limit on what you pay for covered drugs.

A temporary program that lowers the copay for certain weight-loss drugs, outside your regular Part D plan.

Illinois's Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) cash program adds a state payment for people 65 and older whose income doesn't cover the costs the state allows, such as rent and utilities.

A monthly payment for people 65+ with little income and savings. You don't need a work history.

Your monthly benefit from your work record. When you claim changes how much you get for life.

Monthly disability benefits from your work record. Switches to retirement benefits at full retirement age.

Benefits from a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. Often missed, especially after a divorce or a death.

Ended the WEP and GPO reductions for teachers, police, firefighters and others with public pensions.

Illinois SNAP, formerly food stamps, puts money for groceries on the Illinois Link card each month.

A free monthly box of food through local food banks, for people 60+. You can get it alongside SNAP.

Seasonal coupons for fresh produce at farmers' markets. Limited and first-come.

Home-delivered and group meals for people 60+, with no income test.

Helps pay rent so you pay about 30% of your income. Waiting lists are long, so apply to more than one.

Subsidized apartments for very-low-income households with someone 62+. You apply at each building.

Low-interest loans and, for people 62+, grants to fix health and safety hazards in rural homes.

Illinois's LIHEAP pays a one-time amount toward your heating bill, and Reconnection Assistance of up to $2,000 a year if your service is cut off or about to be.

Free insulation, sealing and heating repairs that lower your energy bills for good.

A monthly discount on phone or internet service. The bigger ACP discount ended in 2024.

3 programs: Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption and Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program.

An extra deduction for each person 65+, for tax years 2025 to 2028, whether or not you itemize.

A larger standard deduction once you turn 65, and more if you are blind.

Free tax preparation from trained volunteers, with a program just for people 60+.

Whether your benefits are taxed depends on your other income. Many people owe nothing.

Free or reimbursed rides through Medicaid, your local Area Agency on Aging, or the VA.

Personal care, adult day programs and home changes so you can stay home instead of moving to a nursing home.

A tax-free monthly payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities.

Respite care, counseling and training for family caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren.

Paid part-time community-service work and job training for people 55+ with low incomes.

Free legal aid, a nursing-home complaint line in every state, and Adult Protective Services.