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Illinois • Chronic Illness
If you have diabetes in Illinois, you may qualify for federal and state benefits like Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, and special programs. These help cover medical costs, medications, and daily living expenses. This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, and where to get help.
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you generally need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before your disability starts. Diabetes must be severe enough to meet Social Security's definition of disability, meaning it causes marked and severe functional limitations and prevents you from doing substantial work. For 2025, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals. If you earn more than this, you likely won't qualify for SSDI.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with limited income and resources. For 2025, the maximum SSI benefit is $967 per month for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. Your income and resources must be below these limits to qualify. SSI rules also consider the income and resources of family members living with you if you are under 18.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people with low income and limited resources. Federal rules set the basic eligibility, but states can have their own rules. Medicaid can cover diabetes care, including doctor visits, medications, and supplies.
Medicare is available to people who receive SSDI after a 24-month waiting period. Medicare helps pay for hospital and medical care, including diabetes management.
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other benefits. To open an ABLE account, you must have a disability that started before age 26.
All these programs have strict rules about income, resources, and work. It's important to report any changes in your situation to avoid overpayments or loss of benefits.
In Illinois, adults with diabetes may qualify for Medicaid if their income and resources are low enough. Medicaid can help pay for diabetes care, including insulin, testing supplies, and doctor visits.
Illinois has a special Medicaid program called Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD). This program is for people with disabilities who are working. If you have diabetes and are working, you may qualify for HBWD if your countable income is up to $4,393 per month for a single person or $5,962 per month for a couple. HBWD allows you to have up to $25,000 in assets, which is higher than most Medicaid programs. You may have to pay a monthly premium based on your income.
Illinois also offers Medicaid waivers for people with developmental disabilities or other chronic conditions. These waivers can provide extra services like home care, personal care, and respite care. If your diabetes is severe and you have other health problems, you may qualify for a waiver.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) runs the SSI and Medicaid programs in the state. They can help you apply and answer questions about eligibility.
Illinois has a state-specific ABLE account program called IL ABLE. This lets you save money for disability expenses without risking your benefits. You must have a disability that started before age 26 to qualify.
If you are working and have diabetes, you may be able to keep your Medicaid benefits through the HBWD program or other work incentives. This can help you stay healthy and independent while working.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Step 2: Gather Documents
Step 3: Apply
Step 4: Follow Up
Step 5: Report Changes
Yes, if your diabetes is severe enough to meet Social Security's definition of disability and you meet the income and resource limits for SSI or Medicaid. You may also qualify for SSDI if you have enough work credits. Illinois has special programs like HBWD for workers with disabilities.
For SSI, your income must be below $967 per month for an individual or $1,450 for a couple in 2025. For SSDI, you can't earn more than $1,620 per month for non-blind individuals or $2,700 for blind individuals. For HBWD, you can earn up to $4,393 per month for a single person or $5,962 for a couple.
Medicaid in Illinois covers doctor visits, hospital care, diabetes medications, insulin, testing supplies, and other services needed to manage diabetes. You may also get help with nutrition counseling and diabetes education.
Yes, Illinois has work incentives like the HBWD program that let you keep Medicaid benefits while working. You can also get help from the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program to understand how work affects your benefits.
You can apply for SSDI and SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a Social Security office. For Medicaid and HBWD, apply online at the Illinois Department of Human Services website, by phone at 1-800-843-6154, or in person at a Family Community Resource Center.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Eligibility rules and benefit amounts may change. Always check with official agencies for the most current information.
An IL ABLE account lets you save money for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other benefits. You must have a disability that started before age 26. You can save up to $17,000 per year and use the funds for things like medical care, education, housing, and transportation.
You must report any changes in your income to Social Security and the Illinois Department of Human Services as soon as possible. This helps you avoid overpayments and keeps your benefits active. If you get an overpayment, you may have to pay it back.
Yes, if you have diabetes and limited income, you may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP helps you buy food, including healthy foods that are good for managing diabetes.
Illinois offers Medicaid waivers that can provide extra services like home care, personal care, and respite care for people with severe diabetes and other health problems. You can also get help from rehabilitation services and diabetes education programs.
You can report changes online, by phone, or in person to Social Security and the Illinois Department of Human Services. Keep records of all your benefits and report changes in writing. This helps you avoid overpayments and keeps your benefits active.
