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.
Income and Social Security
Illinois SSI supplement
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.
The Department of Human Services works out a budget and pays the gap. It is paid separately from SSI, and people who get it also get medical assistance.
How to apply in Illinois
- By phone
- 1-800-843-6154
- In person
- Your local IDHS Family Community Resource Center
- Who runs it
- Illinois Department of Human Services
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Illinois
| Age | 65 or older (or blind or disabled) |
|---|---|
| SSI | You get SSI, or your income is too high for SSI |
| Residency | Must live in Illinois and be a U.S. citizen or meet certain rules for noncitizens |
What you may get
| Monthly AABD cash, one person living on their own (2026) | Depends on your income and allowed living costs. Paid when your budgeted needs are at least $1 more than your income. |
|---|
How Illinois is different
Where Illinois's rules differ from the federal rules for State SSI supplements.
- Paid separately by the state; apply with the Illinois Department of Human Services
- You may qualify even if your income is too high for SSI
Good to know
- The rent allowance in the AABD budget is capped at $97 a month, plus allowances for utilities and furnishings if they are part of the rent.
- People who get AABD cash also get medical assistance and may get SNAP.
- The state has a legal right to recover what it paid through AABD.
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
State SSI supplement in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- 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
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
- Illinois Department of Human Services, Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Human Services, PM 11-01-00: AABD Cash Assistance Standard (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Human Services, PM 11-02-03: Using the AABD Cash Assistance Standard (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Human Services, PM 11-01-02: Shelter (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Human Services, Cash, SNAP & Medical Assistance (how to apply) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
Was this page helpful?
Report an error on this page
Newsletter
Get an email when the rules change
Benefit figures, deadlines and rules change every year. We'll tell you what changed and what to check, about twice a month.
- Free, about twice a month
- One-click unsubscribe in every email
- We never sell or share your email