Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Illinois. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Illinois Medicaid in Illinois
In Illinois, Medicaid for people 65 and older is called AABD Medical (Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled).
You may qualify with income up to the poverty level and savings up to $17,500, a much higher savings limit than most states. You apply online through ABE or at your local Family Community Resource Center.
How to apply in Illinois
- By phone
- 1-800-843-6154
- In person
- At the IDHS Family Community Resource Center for your county; you can also mail or fax a completed application there.
- Who runs it
- Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Illinois
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (AABD Medical, 2026) | $1,330 a month (100% of the poverty level) | $1,803 a month (100% of the poverty level) |
| Savings limit (AABD Medical, 2026) | $17,500 | $17,500 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: through spenddown you may qualify if your medical bills bring your income down to the AABD limit Source: KFF (source 4) |
|---|---|
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: ACA Adults may qualify with income up to $1,835 a month for one person (138% of the poverty level, including a 5% disregard) |
How Illinois is different
Where Illinois's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit: 100% of the poverty level
- Much higher savings limit: $17,500
Good to know
- After you apply, you may be asked to come to the office for an interview, or to do it by phone if you can't come in.
Free help
Free help with this in Illinois
Illinois Department on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Illinois
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Illinois Department of Human Services, WAG 25-03-02 (2) Medical FPLs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Human Services, WAG 25-03-02 Program Standards Summary Desk Aid (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Human Services, Cash, SNAP & Medical Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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