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How to Apply: AABD Cash in Illinois
Illinois · 5 StepsIllinois residents who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, and have low income
Take it one step at a time. We're here to help.
Quick facts
Step 1 of 5: See if you can get it
- You live in Illinois
- You are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability
- Assets under $2,000, or $3,000 with a spouse or dependent
Good to know: Your home, one vehicle you need, household goods, wedding and engagement rings, medical equipment and burial plots do not count as assets.Good to know: The new Medicaid work requirements and 6 month renewals starting in 2027 do not apply to AABD.Step 2 of 5: Get your papers ready
- Photo ID or birth certificate
- Your Social Security number
- Proof of income, and your SSI letter
- Bank statements, and your rent and utility bills
Good to know: Missing something? Apply anyway. IDHS will tell you what else it needs.Good to know: Your monthly bills matter here. They are used to work out how much cash you get.Good to know: If you do not get SSI or Social Security disability, bring medical records showing blindness or disability.Step 3 of 5: Apply your way
- Apply online at ABE (opens in a new tab)Tap to open
- In person at a Family Community Resource Center
- Or on paper, by post or fax
- Call 1-800-843-6154
Important: Tick the boxes for both cash and medical. You can apply for SNAP and the Medicare Savings Program on the same form.Good to know: Not on SSI yet? Apply for that too, at 1-800-772-1213. AABD Cash works alongside it.Step 4 of 5: Go to your interview
- A caseworker reviews your income, assets and bills
- They check your SSI status
- They review your disability or blindness, if needed
Important: Every IDHS cash programme requires this interview.Good to know: Turned down for SSI only because of income? IDHS can decide if you are blind or disabled using your medical records.Step 5 of 5: After you are approved
- Cash on an Illinois Link card, or direct deposit
- A medical card letter with your Recipient ID Number
- Renew every 12 months
- Ask about Medicare Savings Programs if you have Medicare
Important: Report any change in income or assets within 10 days.Important: In some cases IDHS can recover what it paid you, for example from an estate.Good to know: You can appeal any decision within 60 days of the date on the letter.Steady money and health coverage together. You have done the hard part.
A how to guide on how to apply for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) in Illinois.
AABD helps Illinois residents who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability and have low income. It is run by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). AABD has two parts:
- AABD Cash: a small monthly payment that tops up SSI or other income when it is not enough for basic needs. Anyone who gets AABD Cash also gets AABD Medical.
- AABD Medical: Medicaid health coverage for older adults and people with disabilities. You can get AABD Medical even if you do not qualify for the cash.
The new Medicaid work requirements and 6-month renewals in 2027 do not apply to AABD.
Check if you can get AABD
You may qualify if you:
- Live in Illinois
- Are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability (as defined by Social Security)
- Are a U.S. citizen or meet certain non-citizen rules
For AABD Cash, you must also get SSI, or have been turned down for SSI because your income is too high, or have lost SSI because of the federal time limit for some non-citizens.
AABD Cash limits
- Assets: less than $2,000 for one person, or $3,000 if you live with a spouse or dependent. Add $50 for each extra dependent.
- Income: IDHS adds up your basic needs (housing, utilities, food, clothing, phone, transit, and more). If your countable income is less than your needs by at least $1, you can get a grant for the difference. The first $25 of income is not counted.
- How much: the minimum payment is $1. If you get SSI, payments are usually small. Illinois Legal Aid Online says they rarely go above $70.
Not counted as assets: your home, one vehicle you need, household goods and personal items (up to $2,000), wedding and engagement rings, medical equipment, burial plots, small life insurance policies, and some burial funds.
AABD Medical limits (2026)
People in household
Monthly income limit (100% FPL)
Asset limit
1
$1,330
$17,500
2
$1,803
$17,500
3
$2,276
—
4
$2,750
—
Source: IDHS WAG 25-03-02 (2) Medical FPLs. If your income is over the limit, you may still qualify with a spenddown, where you pay part of your medical bills first.
Non-citizens: Starting October 1, 2026, fewer non-citizens qualify for full Medicaid. Green card holders who met the 5-year wait (or are exempt), Cuban/Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants still qualify. See HFS federal changes FAQ.
Gather required documents / information
Be ready to show:
- Proof of identity and age, such as a photo ID or birth certificate
- Social Security number
- Proof you live in Illinois, such as a lease, utility bill, or mail
- Proof of income, such as your SSI, Social Security, pension, or pay stubs
- Your SSI letter, whether you were approved or turned down
- Bank statements and asset information, like savings, life insurance, and vehicles
- Monthly expenses, like rent and utility bills (these help figure your cash grant)
- Medical records showing blindness or disability, if you do not get SSI or Social Security disability
- Immigration documents, if you are not a U.S. citizen
- Medicare card and other health insurance cards, if you have them
If you are missing something, apply anyway. IDHS will tell you what else it needs.
Apply
- Online at abe.illinois.gov. Check the boxes for cash and medical. You can apply for SNAP and the Medicare Savings Program on the same application.
- In person at your local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). Find one with the IDHS Office Locator.
- On paper:download the application and bring, mail, or fax it to your FCRC.
- Questions? Call the IDHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY 1-866-324-5553).
Apply for SSI too. AABD Cash works alongside SSI. If you have not applied for SSI, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.
Attend your interview
All IDHS cash programs, including AABD Cash, require an interview. A caseworker will:
- Review your income, assets, and monthly expenses.
- Check your SSI status.
- Review your disability or blindness, if Social Security has not already decided it. If you were turned down for SSI only because of income, IDHS can decide if you are blind or disabled using your medical records.
After You Apply: What to Expect
- You will get a letter saying if you are approved or denied, and why.
- AABD Cash is paid on an Illinois Link card or by direct deposit. Check your balance at 1-800-678-5465 or link.illinois.gov.
- AABD Medical comes with an HFS Medical Card letter with your Recipient ID Number (RIN). Bring it and a photo ID to appointments.
- If you have Medicare, ask about the Medicare Savings Programs. They can help pay Medicare premiums.
- Renew every 12 months. Fill out and return any renewal forms you get in the mail.
- Report changes in income or assets within 10 days.
- IDHS can recover what it paid you through AABD in some cases, such as from an estate.
- You can appeal any decision within 60 days of the date on the letter.
If you have any additional questions, you can email Mirza support, support@heymirza.com. We are happy to help in any way we can.
Last updated October 15, 2026