Resources for Health Care, Finances, Housing, and More

Health Care Assistance

All Kids: Covers children who need health insurance, regardless of family income, immigration status or health condition. Some families who pay for private health insurance for their children may qualify for help to pay their premiums.

FamilyCare: Covers parents living with their children age 18 or younger. FamilyCare also covers grandparents or other relatives who are raising children in place of their parents. Some families who pay for private health insurance may qualify for help to pay their premiums.

Moms & Babies: Covers pregnant women and their babies.

Call toll-free to 1-866-ALL-KIDS (1-866-255-5437) for more information on All Kids, FamilyCare, and Moms & Babies or visit www.allkids.com to apply online. For TTY, call 1 (877) 204-1012.

Medicare: You might qualify for Medicare, even if you are under the age of 65, if you have a disability that is expected to last at least a year or is expected to cause your death. In order to get Medicare because you are disabled, you have to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and you must receive SSDI for 24 months before you can enroll in Medicare. Call the Social Security Administration’s toll-free number, 1 (800) 772-1213. To learn more about Medicare, call 1 (800) MEDICARE (633-4227).

Medicaid: If you are blind or have a disability and your income is low or you spend most of your income on health care, you may qualify for Medicaid. People who have a disability usually qualify for Medicaid because they get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but you may be able to get Medicaid while you are waiting to find out if you are eligible for SSI. Even if you do not qualify for SSI, you may still be able to get health insurance through Medicaid. 1 (800) 226-0768 or (312) 793-2354 for TTY.

Illinois’ High-Risk Pool for People with Health Problems: High-risk pools are state-run programs that sell health insurance to a small number of people who are turned away by insurance companies or are offered very limited or expensive policies because they or a family member have an existing health problem. 1(866) 851-2751.

Help with Hospital Bills: If you are uninsured and have to go to the hospital to get care, you may be able to receive some help paying your hospital bills. Ask to speak with a financial counselor or a patient advocate at the hospital. You may be able to negotiate a lower bill or a better bill payment plan.

Free or Discounted Prescription Drug Programs: You may be eligible for a free or discounted prescription drug program through the company that makes the drugs you need. You can get more information about these programs at www.rxassist.org and www.needymeds.com. Discount prescriptions can also be found at Target and Walmart store pharmacies.

Illinois Cares Rx provides a safety net for seniors and persons with disabilities so they won’t have to pay more out of pocket under the new Medicare plan. 1 (800) 226-0768.

Illinois Rx Buying Club is available to uninsured Illinoisans who meet certain income limits. Members save an average of 24% on hundreds of the most popular prescription drugs. You can reach the Illinois Rx Buying Club at 1 (866) 215-3462.

Pfizer Helpful Answers is a family of programs to help people without prescription drug coverage save on many Pfizer medicines, no matter their age or income. 1 (866) 706-2400.

Merck Patient Assistance and Prescription Discount Programs provide free and discounted Merck medicines to patients who cannot afford their prescribed medicines.

Veterans may be entitled to care and prescription drug coverage through a VA medical facility if you served on active duty and have an honorable or general discharge. Veterans who cannot currently access Veterans Health Administration's benefits and who meet specific income requirements may also be eligible for the state’s Veterans Care program. Illinois Veterans Program 1 (877) 4VETSRX. VA Health Benefits Service Center 1 (877) 222-VETS.

The Illinois Immunization Program makes sure kids get the immunizations they need to protect them from dangerous childhood diseases. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider for more information. 1 (800) 323-GROW.

Illinois Healthy Women helps women with health care coverage for family planning and birth control services. The program is voluntary and services are confidential. Most services are free. Copays may apply to some services, such as brand name prescription drugs. 1-800-226-0768.

The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams and Pap tests to eligible women. Even if a woman has already been diagnosed with cancer, she may receive free treatment if she qualifies. 1 (888) 522-1282.

Low-Cost Primary Health Care: A local community health clinic may be able to help you get low-cost primary health care on a sliding-scale basis, based on your income. Visit http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov to find a community health clinic near you or call the Helpline at the Campaign for Better Health Care at 1 (888) 544-8271.

Access to Care (for residents of suburban Cook County and portions of Chicago) makes primary health care and the ancillary pharmacy, laboratory and radiology services available to those individuals caught in the gap between eligibility for public health insurance programs and having private insurance. The program provides affordable diagnosis and treatment to individuals and families for a small co-payment per visit, procedure or prescription medication. (708) 531-0680.

Access DuPage (for residents of DuPage County) helps those without health insurance and who meet the eligibility criteria in obtaining a medical home where to receive primary care services at a small cost until you become insured. (630) 510-8720.

Additionally, there are a number of free clinics throughout Illinois that may also be a resource for persons without insurance. A list of them can be found at http://www.fcglr.org/directory/Illinois/il-home.htm.

COBRA Subsidy for Recently Unemployed Workers: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the “economic stimulus plan” that was signed into effect by President Obama, allows for recently unemployed workers to continue employer sponsored health insurance through COBRA. Many individuals who lost group health coverage as a result of involuntary termination between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 are eligible for a 65% federal subsidy of COBRA or state continuation coverage programs for up to 9 months. Visit the Illinois Division of Insurance’s website at http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/default2.asp.

For more information on other state health care programs, including prescription drug assistance programs, programs for seniors and veterans, and other helpful programs, visit the Illinois Health and Wellness website at www.health.illinois.gov.

Housing Assistance

Direct2Housing helps connect Chicagoans find and apply for supportive housing services.

Energy Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services.

Cash Assistance

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program helps pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children with temporary cash and other benefits. TANF can help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical.

Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) helps those who qualify and need cash assistance.

Earnfare helps adults who do not have custody of their children and who receive Food Stamps. They must first work off the value of their food stamps (at minimum wage) and then they can work more hours and earn up to $294 per month.

General Assistance (GA) program provides people with money and limited medical care when they do not qualify for other cash programs administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Transitional Assistance (TA) - for those who do not qualify for AABD or Refugee and Repatriate Assistance (RRA). Specific rules apply and qualifications apply.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) puts cash back in a person’s pocket and will locate help to file Income Taxes.

Child Care Assistance

Child Care Assistance Program provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care that allows them to continue working and contributes to the healthy, emotional and social development of the child.

Legal Assistance

The Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago helps people apply for and maintain public benefits, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits, and Food Stamps, through a telephone advocacy system. Call the Public Benefits Hotline at 1 (888) 893-5327 to speak to an intake worker.

Tax Assistance

Ladder Up works with low-income families during the tax season and shows them how to make the most of their earnings. With free tax preparation services, they teach clients how to make their money work smarter by claiming refundable tax credits.