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Illinois • Sensory
People with blindness in Illinois may qualify for Social Security (SSI/SSDI), Medicaid, and state programs. Work incentives and ABLE accounts help with financial independence. This guide provides clear, step-by-step help, contact info, and explains key differences between federal and Illinois-specific benefits.
To qualify for federal blindness benefits through SSI or SSDI in Illinois, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) medical definition of blindness. For SSI, income and resource limits apply, including family income for children. SSDI is based on work credits. In both programs, blind applicants are subject to special, higher income limits for work: $2,700/month for SSI (2025) and $2,460/month for SGA in SSDI (2025, projected)[3]. The definition of "blindness" is central: you must have central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye with best correction, or a visual field limitation to 20 degrees or less[3].
Illinois offers additional supports beyond federal programs. The Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD) program allows blind workers to keep Medicaid coverage with much higher income limits ($4,393/month single, $5,962/couple) and up to $25,000 in assets[1]. This is a significant advantage over standard Medicaid, encouraging employment. Illinois does not set extra blindness-specific cash programs, but the state’s ABLE program (IL ABLE) is available for qualified savings[1]. For children with blindness, both state and federal rules may consider family income; for adults, HBWD is the main state-level support. To access these programs, you must live in Illinois and meet program-specific rules. The state’s definition of disability for state programs matches federal standards, so you’ll have to meet the SSA’s medical criteria for blindness[1].
1. Gather proof of your disability (eyewitness and medical records). 2. Decide if you’re applying for SSI, SSDI, or both. 3. Apply for SSI/SSDI online, by phone (1-800-772-1213), or in person at a local SSA office. 4. To apply for Illinois Medicaid (HBWD), fill out the HBWD application and mail or drop off at an Illinois DHS office[1]. 5. For IL ABLE accounts, sign up at the official IL ABLE website. 6. If you need help, contact a benefits planning expert or your local DHS office.
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Step 2: Choose Your Federal Benefit
Step 3: Apply for Illinois Medicaid (HBWD)
Step 4: Explore IL ABLE
Step 5: Follow Up
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For low-income individuals, including those with blindness. SSI payments help pay for basic needs like food, housing, and clothing. In 2025, SSI pays $967/month for an individual[6]. You must meet strict income and resource limits.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): For people with enough work credits. SSDI monthly payments depend on your earnings record. SGA limits for blind SSDI recipients are higher ($2,460/month projected 2025)[2].
Medicare: SSDI recipients become eligible for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period, regardless of age.
Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD): Illinois’s Medicaid program for working people with disabilities, including blindness. HBWD lets you keep Medicaid with higher income ($4,393/month single) and asset ($25,000) limits, plus a small monthly premium if income is above certain levels[1]. This is a major advantage if you’re working or want to work.
IL ABLE: Illinois’s state ABLE account program lets people with blindness (and other qualifying disabilities) save up to $100,000 without affecting SSI eligibility. Funds can be used for qualified disability expenses[8].
Benefit Access Program: Offers some transportation and other discounts, but is mostly focused on seniors. Eligibility for people with disabilities is limited[7].
Illinois does not offer a separate state supplemental payment (SSP) for blindness, so SSI and HBWD are your main cash and health supports for blindness.
IL ABLE accounts let you save for disability-related expenses without losing SSI eligibility up to $100,000. Any Illinois resident with blindness that began before age 26 and who gets SSI, SSDI, or meets disability criteria can open an IL ABLE account[8]. Funds are easy to access, and there are fee and investment options.
Dedicated Savings: IL ABLE is your best tool for growing savings while keeping state and federal benefits.
Federal SSI/SSDI: SGA limit for blind SSDI applicants is $2,460/month (projected 2025)[2]. SSI has no SGA, but for children with blindness, monthly earnings over $2,700 disqualify SSI[3]. If you are blind and working, your SGA limit is much higher than for non-blind disabilities.
Illinois Medicaid (HBWD): You can earn up to $4,393/month as a single person or $5,962/couple and still keep full Medicaid in Illinois[1]. Asset limit is up to $25,000[1]. There is a monthly premium if your income exceeds certain thresholds.
Report All Changes Quickly: Always tell the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Illinois DHS about changes in your income, resources, living situation, or medical condition. Failing to do so can result in overpayments, which you’ll have to pay back, or even loss of benefits. See our guide on <a href="/guides/overpayments-and-reporting">Avoiding Overpayments & Reporting Changes</a> for tips.
Illinois’s HBWD program lets you work, increase your income, and keep full Medicaid coverage—with much higher income and asset limits than regular Medicaid. This is a major boost if you want to work but worry about losing health coverage[1].
For SSDI/SSI, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is much higher for people with blindness. In 2025, you can earn up to $2,460/month and still receive SSDI as a blind person, compared to $1,470/month for non-blind disabilities. This makes SSDI especially valuable for blind workers[2][3].
The SSA defines blindness as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye with best correction, or a visual field limited to 20 degrees or less. This definition is used for both SSI and SSDI[3].
Yes. For SSDI, the annual earnings limit (SGA) is much higher for people with blindness ($2,460/month, projected 2025)[2]. For SSI, earnings may reduce your payment, but Illinois also offers HBWD, which lets you keep Medicaid while working, with higher income limits[1].
The maximum federal SSI payment in 2025 is $967 per month for an individual[6]. SSI payments may be lower if you have other income, and there are no state supplemental payments in Illinois for blindness.
Yes. For children under 18, certain family income and resources are counted when deciding SSI eligibility[3]. If the family’s income or resources are too high, the child may not qualify.
IL ABLE lets you save money without affecting your SSI or Medicaid eligibility, up to $100,000. The account can pay for qualified disability expenses like education, housing, and assistive technology[8].
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not legal or professional advice. Benefit programs and rules change. Always verify details with official government agencies or a qualified benefits planner.
Step 6: Report Changes
Download the HBWD application from the Illinois HFS website, complete it, and submit it with proof of income, disability, and residency to your local DHS office[1]. Call 1-800-226-0768 with questions.
You can earn up to $4,393/month as a single person and still qualify for HBWD in Illinois. For a couple, the limit is $5,962/month[1]. The asset limit is $25,000.
If you earn more than the SGA limit (currently $2,460/month, projected 2025), your SSDI benefits may stop. However, you may still qualify for Illinois HBWD and Medicaid with higher income limits[1][2].
Illinois offers a Benefit Access Program with limited transportation benefits for people with disabilities, but most focus on seniors. Check eligibility with the Illinois Department on Aging[7].
Call Social Security (1-800-772-1213), Illinois DHS (1-800-843-6154), or a local Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. Online, you can use the SSA and Illinois HFS websites for forms and information[1][4].
