State Help for Caregivers, Homemakers, & General Home Care
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Department of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS) is the state’s lead agency serving persons with disabilities. The Department of Rehabiliation Services (DRS) staff works one-on-one with individuals who have disabilities and their families to empower them to reach their employment, education, and independent living goals. Through the Home Services Program, DRS provides services to individuals with significant disabilities and/or brain injuries so they can remain in their homes and live as independently as possible. DRS customers are empowered to live self-directed lives, be actively involved in their communities, and retain control over the services they receive.
The following services can under certain circumstances be covered by state assistance programs:
- Homemaker Services
- Home Health Services
- Electronic Home Response
- Home Delivered Meals
- Assistive Equipment
- Environmental Modifications
- Respite Services
- Brain Injury (BI) Behavioral
/ Cognitive Therapies
- Brain Injury (BI) Habilitation
- Brain Injury (BI) Pre-Vocational
/ Services - Brain Injury (BI) Supported Employment
To receive services, an individual must meet these eligibility criteria:
- Be under age 60 at the time of application unless in the AIDS or Brain Injury Medicaid Waiver Program.
- Have a severe disability lasting 12 months or longer, or for the duration of life.
- Be at imminent risk of nursing home placement.
- Have applied, cooperated and obtained a decision on Medicaid eligibility unless already on Medicaid or spend-down.
- Require services in the home costing the same or less than nursing home costs.
- Be a State of Illinois resident with U.S. citizenship or show proof of legal entry into the United States.
- Have assets under the asset limit which is different for individuals under age 18 and those 18 and older.
- Have a physician’s approval of the initial plan of care.
- Score a minimum of 29 points on the Determination of Need (DON).
The Home Service Program staff will:
- Visit the person at home to discuss eligibility and available services.
- Complete application and conduct financial and non-financial eligibility assessments.
- Obtain needed releases of information for medical documentation and obtain a physician’s certification that.
services are needed and appropriate. - Obtain a clear and easily identifiable copy of the customer’s State of Illinois Photo ID or valid Driver’s License.
- Develop a service plan and assist in locating service providers.
- Provide alternative resource information and information on appeal rights if eligibility is not met.
For more information, visit www.dhs.state.il.us or call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services DRS’ office or Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).
If you do not know where your office is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at 1-800-843-6154 or at 1-800-447-6404 for those who are hard of hearing.
DHS also provides specialized services for people (who may be over the age of 60) with: HIV/AIDS, Traumatic brain injuries.
Community Care Program with Illinois Department on Aging
Are you wondering how to find the specific services that will help you or loved one remain at home? The Illinois Department of Aging would like you to know that help is offered through the Community Care Program (CCP). This program is designed to help you remain independent, in your own home, and keep you out of a nursing home, as long as nursing home placement is not necessary for you. For more information about CCP services, please contact IDOA’s Senior HelpLine by calling 1-800-252-8966 or 1-888-206-1327 (TTY) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday or emailing [email protected].
Care Coordination Units
The Care Coordination Unit will assign a care coordinator to visit you at home at no cost to discuss your needs and goals, and to help you choose what services may be right for you. Services include In-Home Service, Adult Day Service, Flexible Senior Services, Emergency Home Response Service and in some areas of the state, Senior Companion. If you qualify for CCP services, the Care Coordination Unit will work with you to determine your needs, set up services that are appropriate for you and keep in touch with you to make sure the services continue to meet your needs.
Services under the CCP include:
1
In-Home
Service
2
Emergency Home
Response Service
3
Flexible Senior
Services
4
Senior
Companion
You are eligible for Community Care Program services if:
- You are 60 or older;
- You are determined physically in need of service, meaning you are at least moderately impaired;
- You are a resident of a state of Illinois;
- You are U.S. citizen or legal alien;
- You meet the asset requirements, which will be explained to you when the care coordinator comes to your home;
- You apply for medical benefits.
For more information, visit http://www.illinois.gov/aging
Veteran Benefits
Veterans or their surviving spouse may qualify the Aid and Attendance (A&A) Veteran Administration Pension Benefit. A&A is the highest level awarded to veterans or surviving spouses who require assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, cooking, eating, transferring, incontinence care and grooming. By working closely with community resources, Abcor can assist veterans or surviving spouses to submit an application for Aid and Attendance pension benefits.
Amount of Homecare Service Available:
74 hours
of homecare per month
for Veteran
48 hours
of homecare per month
for Surviving Spouse
88 hours
of homecare per month
for Couple
117 hours
of homecare per month
for 2 married veteransd
War Periods for Eligibility
World War II
Starting December 7, 1941
through December 31, 1946
Must have served 90 days
active duty
Korean Conflict
Starting June 27, 1950
through January 31, 1955
Must have served 90 days
active duty
Vietnam Era
Starting August 5, 1964
through May 7, 1975
Feb 28, 1961 is the starting date for veterans who served “in country” (Vietnam)
before Aug 5, 1964
Persian Gulf War
Starting August 2, 1990 through an end date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation
through December 31, 1946
Must have served 2 years active duty
Requirements
Served 90 days active duty, 1 day during wartime with honorable discharge.
Must be house bound 60% as certified by a licensed physician
Qualifying medical expenses must exceed income by 5%