Who is eligible?

You may qualify if you are an individual with a disability,

• between the ages of 16 and 64,
• working with income below 350% of FPL, and
• Have assets below $25,000

The state has to prove you are disabled. You can prove you are disabled a number of ways:

• You already receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income because you are disabled.
• You receive Railroad Benefits due to a disability.
• Or you provide medical records to help prove you are disabled.

How to apply?

You can download (en espanol) an application from the website, complete it and mail it to the HBWD unit in Springfield.

Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
P.O.Box 19145
Springfield, IL 62794-9145

If you are applying because of disability or blindness the state needs to obtain medical information that proves your disability in order to make a decision. If you are not able to get this from your existing medical providers the state can help and will pay a doctor to examine you. If you provide medical reports, the state worker sends the reports you provide to medical review staff in Springfield. They will review the medical reports, and see if you are disabled. The state uses the same rules that are used by Social Security to determine you disabled. These rules are included in the Blue Book which is published by Social Security.

Besides sending your medical reports in with the application, you will also need to provide proof of your income, assets, other health insurance and proof of citizenship or qualified immigrant status. Also make sure you include information about your work expenses such as:

• Federal, State, or City Income Taxes
• Social Security Tax
• Transportation to work at the most reasonable rate since the state allows 19 cents per mile if you use your own car.
• Lunch allowance not to exceed $9.00 per month.
• Special tools and uniforms required for the type of work performed.
• Union Dues.
• Group Life Insurance Premiums
• Retirement plan withholding
• Day care expenses per child, not to exceed $160 per month for full-time employment or $128 per month for part-time employment.
• Special work expenses that allow you to work, such as but not limited to: special transportation to work,or a telecommunication device for the hearing impaired. To be allowed as a deduction, you must pay for it and not be reimbursed by an agency or other person