State Help
The Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS/DRS) is the state's lead agency serving persons with disabilities. IDHS staff works one-on-one with individuals who have disabilities and their families to empower them to reach their employment, education, and independent living goals. Through our Home Services Program IDHS provides services to individuals with the most significant disabilities and brain injury so they can remain in their homes and live as independently as possible. IDHS customers are empowered to live self-directed lives, be actively involved in their communities, and retain control over the services they receive.
The following services can enable individuals with disabilities to remain at home:
- Homemaker Services: Abcor Home Health provides services for personal care and household duties to customers.
- Home Health Services: CNA, LPN or RN services prescribed by the physician to meet the health, safety, and medical needs of the customer. Speech, physical, and occupational therapies may also be available.
- Electronic Home Response: A rented device to provide 24 hour access to emergency personnel in an emergency situation within the home.
- Home Delivered Meals: Nutritious meals prepared and delivered to customers' homes through a variety of community-based service providers.
- Assistive Equipment: Devices or equipment purchased, repaired or rented to promote independence, prevent an increase in care, reduce or eliminate another service or ensure the customers' health and safety in the home.
- Environmental Modifications: Structural changes within the home environment or exterior for accessibility needs that enhance customer independence, prevent an increase in care, reduce or eliminate another service or ensure the customers' health and safety in the home.
- Respite Services: Temporary care for adults (elderly care, senior care) and children with disabilities to relieve stress to families. Respite services may be provided for vacation, rest, errands, family crisis or emergency. Services may include personal assistant, adult day care, homemaker or home health.
- Brain Injury (BI) Behavioral/Cognitive: Remedial therapies provided to persons with brain injuries to decrease severe maladaptive behaviors. These services are intended to enable customers to better manage their behavior and be more capable of living independently.
- Brain Injury (BI) Habilitation: Services provided to persons with brain injuries that assist with the acquisition, retention, or improvement in self-help, socialization and adaptive skills. These services are provided in a setting separate from the customers' residence.
- Brain Injury (BI) Pre-Vocational Services: Services provided to persons with brain injuries that prepare them for paid or unpaid employment by teaching concepts such as compliance, attendance, task completion, problem solving and safety.
- Brain Injury (BI) Supported Employment: Services provided to persons with brain injuries for whom competitive employment is unlikely. These services include intensive ongoing support to enable the persons to perform in a paid employment work setting.
To receive services, an individual must meet these eligibility criteria:
- Be under age 60 at the time of application unless in the AIDS or Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver Program.
- Have a severe disability lasting 12 months or longer, or for the duration of life.
- Be at imminent risk of nursing home placement.
- Have applied, cooperated and obtained a decision on Medicaid eligibility unless already on Medicaid or spend-down.
- Require services in the home costing the same or less than nursing home costs.
- Be a State of Illinois resident with U.S. citizenship or show proof of legal entry into the United States.
- Have assets under the asset limit which is different for individuals under age 18 and those 18 and older.
- Have a physician's approval of the initial plan of care.
- Score a minimum of 29 points on the Determination of Need (DON).
Home Service Program staff will:
- Visit the person at home to discuss eligibility and available services.
- Complete application and conduct financial and non-financial eligibility assessments.
- Obtain needed releases of information for medical documentation and obtain a physician's certification that services are needed and appropriate.
- Obtain a clear and easily identifiable copy of the customer's State of Illinois Photo ID or valid Drivers License.
- Develop a service plan and assist in locating service providers.
- Provide alternative resource information and information on appeal rights if eligibility is not met.
For more information:
Call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services DRS' office or Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).
If you have questions about any Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) program, call or visit your local IDHS/DRS office or FCRC. We will answer your questions. If you do not know where your office is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at: 1-800-843-6154
1-800-447-6404 (TTY)
You may speak to a representative between:
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday (except state holidays)
For answers to your questions, you may also write: Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer and Provider Assistance
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.
DHS also provides specialized services for people (who may be over the age of 60) with: HIV/AIDS, Traumatic brain injuries.
Community Care Program with Illinois Department on Aging (CCP)
Are you wondering how to find the specific services that will help you or loved one remain at home?
The Illinois Department of Aging would like to know that help is offered through the Community Care Program (CCP). This program is designed to help you remain independent, in your own home, and keep you out of a nursing home, as long as nursing home placement is not necessary for you. There is an agency, called a Care Coordination Unit, in your community that is knowledgeable about available CCP services.
Care Coordination Unit
The Care Coordination Unit will send a care coordinator to your home at no cost to discuss your needs and goals, and to help you choose what services may be right for you. Services include In-Home Service, Adult Day Service, Flexible Senior Services, Emergency Home Response Service and in some areas of the state, Senior Companion. If you qualify for CCP services, the Care Coordination Unit will work with you to determine your needs, set up services that are appropriate for you and keep in touch with you to make sure the services continue to meet your needs.
In-Home Service
Home Care Aides provide in-home service, such as cleaning, planning and preparing meals, doing landry, shopping and running errands. Home Care Aides may also assist moderately impaired participants with personal care tasks, such as dressing, bathing, grooming and following special diets.
In-home service, also referred to as homemaker service, is defined as general non-medical activity of daily living support by supervised homecare aides, or homemakers, who have received specialized training in the provision of in-home services.
Emergency Home Responce Service
Emergency Home Response Service (EHRS) is defined as a 24-hour emergency communication link to assistance outside the client's home, based on health and safety needs and mobility limitations. This service is provided by a two-way voice communication system consisting of a base unit and an activation device worn by the client that will automatically link the client to a professionally staffed support center. The support center assesses the situation and directs an appropriate response whenever this system is engaged by a client. The purpose of providing EHRS is to improve the independence and safety of clients in their own homes in accordance with the authorized plan of care and thereby help reduce the need for nursing home care.
Flexible Senior Services
When a care coordinator conducts an assessment in your home, they may identify "unmet needs" to keep you safe and secure that may not be paid for by other sources like an insurance policy or benefits provided by Medicare. Limited funding is available through the Department's Flexible Senior Services demonstration program. Some examples of items or services purchased include minor household modifications and assistive devices.
Senior Companion
Senior Companions are volunteers who provide companionship and assistance when an older adult cannot be left alone for long periods of time. The service not only provides the person with a new friend of about the same age, but also provides respite for a caregiver.
Eligibility
You are eligible for Community Care Program services if:
- you are 60 or older;
- you are determited physically in need of service, meaning you are at least moderately impaired;
- you are a resident of a state of Illinois;
- you are U.S. citizen or legal alien;
- you meet the asset requirements, which will be explained to you when the care coordinator comes to your home; and
- you apply for medical benefits.
For more information:
- Main Office:
421 East Capitol Avenue, #100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789
217-785-3356
FAX: 217-785-4477 - Chicago Office:
Michael A. Bilandic Building
(also known as the State of Illinois Building)
160 North LaSalle Street
Suite N-700
Chicago, IL 60601-3031
312-814-2630
FAX: 312-814-2916 - Senior HelpLine:
(8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday)
1-800-252-8966
1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov - Circuit Breaker:
P.O. Box 19021
Springfield, IL 62794-9021
1-800-624-2459
1-888-206-1327 (TTY) - 24-Hour Elder Abuse Hotline:
1-866-800-1409
1-888-206-1327 (TTY) - Legislative Liaison:
brett.chiaro@illinois.gov - Conferences, Workshops and other Events:
aging.training@illinois.gov - Webmaster:
aging.webmaster@illinois.gov - Freedom of Information Act:
The public may request a copy of public records maintained by the Illinois Department on Aging under the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Requests must be made in writing. State that you are requesting the information under the Freedom of Information Act. Provide a brief description of the public records requested, being as specific as possible. Remember to include your full contact information, including name, organization, mailing address, email address, fax number and daytime phone number.
Contact us by mail:
FOIA Office
Illinois Department on Aging
421 East Capitol Avenue, #100
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1789
Or fax to: 217-785-4477
Veteran Benefits
Veterans or Surviving Spouse may qualify for Aid and Attendance (A&A) Veteran Administration improved pension. A&A is the highest level awarded to veterans or surviving spouses who require assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, cooking, eating, transferring, incontinence care and grooming. By working closely with community resources, NWHCare can assist veterans or surviving spouses to qualify for Aid and Attendance pension
Amount of Homecare Service Available:
74 Hours of homecare per month for Veteran
48 Hours of homecare per month for Surviving Spouse
88 Hours of homecare per month for Couple
117 Hours of homecare per month for 2 married veterans
War Periods for Eligibility:
| War | Starting | Through | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| World War II | Dec 7, 1941 | Dec 31, 1946 | Must have served 90 days active duty |
| Korean Conflict | June 27, 1950 | Jan 31, 1955 | Must have served 90 days active duty |
| Vietnam Era | Aug 5, 1964 | May 7, 1975 | Feb 28, 1961 for veterans who served “in country” (Viet Nam) before Aug 5, 1964 |
| Persian Gulf War | Aug 2, 1990 | End date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation | Must have served active duty for 2 years |
Requirements:
- Served 90 days active duty, 1 day during wartime with honorable discharge must enter active service prior 09/09/1980
- Medical Condition-must be house bound 60% certified by a licensed physician
- Financial limitations- qualifying medical expensed must exceed income by 5%
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