Medicaid is the federally subsidized but state-run program in Illinois that provides basic medical insurance to children of low-income families, wards of the state, the poor and the indigent. Often the insurer of last resort for low-income families and for those whose assets have been depleted, Medicaid imposes strict limits on income and assets in order to be eligible.
Medicaid in Illinois is administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. This state agency is responsible for setting the state income and asset guidelines for Medicaid eligibility and defines the overall scope of Medicaid benefits within the federal government's guidance.
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Income Limits and Eligibility
The State of Illinois determines eligibility for Medicaid by comparing the family's income to the Federal Poverty Line, or FPL. The specific income eligibility criteria varies with the specific Medicaid program. To qualify for coverage under KidCare Moms and Babies, which provides outpatient services and maternity care, the family income must be below 200 percent of the FPL. For the Parent Assist program, income cannot be more than 90 percent of FPL. The State of Illinois is raising this cap to 185 percent of FPL. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families imposes a different requirement depending on your county of residence. The Illinois Children's Health Insurance Plan, or CHIP, imposes an income cap of 200 percent of FPL.
Senior Programs and Income Limits
To qualify for the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled program in Illinois, your income cannot exceed 100 percent of FPL. The limit for the Health Benefits for Workers with Disabiities program is 200 percent of FPL, with a total asset limit of $10,000. The SeniorCare program, which assists qualified beneficiaries with paying for prescription drugs, requires an income of not more than 200 percent of FPL.
Determining FPL
To determine the Federal Poverty Line for a family of your size in Illinois, see the link in Resources. Ensure you are using the correct table; Alaska and Hawaii use a separate table, due to the higher cost of living in those states.