Q&A Public Benefits

What is Circuit Breaker? How does it work? Circuit Breaker is a program run through the Illinois Department on Aging that provides grants to seniors and people with disabilities to reduce the financial hardship of taxes and prescription medications. The program helps overloaded seniors, just like a “circuit breaker.” Services: -Tax Grant: Client can receive a grant if they pay property tax on their home or live in a nursing, retirement, or shelter care home. Grants are for amounts up to $350. It is possible to estimate the grant amount online. -Free Ride Transit Card Eligibility: $27,610 for a household of one; $36,635 for a household of two; or $45,657 for a household of three. If one is under 65, one must be disabled to receive Circuit Breaker. -Apply online or mail in a form. IL Dept. on Aging also offers prescription drug assistance through Illinois Cares Rx, which will pay for 75% of prescription costs for many common prescriptions. Income requirements are stricter than for Circuit Breaker.

My client keeps getting rejected for DHS services! What can be done? Your client should have received a reason for their application not getting approved when they were denied. If they believe this reason is not valid, they can appeal. In fact, they can appeal any action DHS takes regarding their benefits/case. -If they are appealing a decision about cash assistance or Medicaid, they must appeal within 60 days. If they are appealing a decision about SNAP benefits, they must appeal within 90 days Appeals can be filed at the DHS or by phone. There will be an informal meeting regarding the appeal, and if the client still wants to appeal, there will be a hearing. The client should bring all relevant documents to the meeting and hearing that can prove the decision of the DHS to be wrong.

Can you appeal Medicare decisions? A client can appeal any Medicare decision regarding payment or services covered, including: -Submitting a request for a health care service, supply, or prescription that they think they should receive. -A request for payment for health care services, supplies or a prescription drug they already got that was denied -A request to change the amount they must pay for a prescription drug Method of appealing depends on what kind of Medicare they have/which part.

Should I advise my client on the kind of Medicare Part D to get? And the insurance company to get their Medicare with? This is outside our scope of services; we are not experts on insurance companies. We can help by: -Directing them to the online Medicare Plan Finder -Instructing them to call Medicare hotline or Senior Help Hotline (Dept. on Aging)

When can the spouse of a worker receive SSDI? Spouses who are 62 or older and spouses of any age (even if no longer married) who are caring for disabled adult children or for children under the age of 16. Must have been married for at least a year or married for at least ten years if now divorced. Survivor’s benefit: The surviving spouse can get benefits if they had been married for at least a year AND: -The surviving spouse is 60 years old or older. -The surviving spouse is disabled and between 50 and 60. There is also a special one-time death benefit (for funeral expenses, etc.) for spouses and minor children who meet certain requirements. In general, spouses of living beneficiaries can receive about 50% of the benefits the person receiving SSDI is getting. A surviving spouse will receive between 75% and 100% of their deceased spouse’s earnings.

My 65-year-old client is disabled. Should she apply for SSI or SSDI? They should apply for SSI (or Social Security Retirement if they have paid enough years into the system). SSDI benefits become Social Security Retirement benefits at age 65.

What types of programs are available for people (not elderly or disabled) who need prescription/medication assistance? Illinois Rx Buying Club: Pay $10 to receive a card that will save about 20% on most prescription drugs. Must be IL resident and have income less than 300% of poverty level. Prescription Drug Discount Card: Get discounts on prescriptions at participating pharmacies. Available at HL desks or online at honestdiscounts.com $4 Generic Drugs at Target.

What is All Kids? Who can get it? All Kids is an Illinois program that provides comprehensive health insurance to children. All Kids covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, check-ups, immunizations, medical equipment, and eyeglasses As the name implies, all kids in IL under the age 18 are eligible. You do not need proof of citizenship.

When should our clients expect to hear back from the DHS/other services once they have submitted their applications? Medicaid: 45 days Medicare: Variable depending on when you apply. If you apply during initial enrollment period (3 months before the month you turn 65 through 3 months after) it will be 1-3 months. If you apply during general enrollment (January 1-March 31) you will be enrolled July 1. All Kids: 45 days Circuit Breaker: by online application: 6 weeks, by mail: 4 months TANF: 30 days LINK: 30 days If Medicaid/TANF application based on disability: 60 days

What should the volunteer do if the client only speaks Spanish and needs to fill out the DHS application? If possible, they should fill out the online DHS application in Spanish with a Spanish speaking volunteer. If there is no volunteer that speaks Spanish, it is best to attempt to explain to the client that someone will call them and they can come back to the clinic to complete the application later. For CFHC volunteers: Nancy can help with this.

What information should the client bring with them to fill out the DHS application? A client will need to have as many of the following documents with them as possible/applicable while filling out the application and when going into the office for an interview. The DHS worker who schedules the interview will instruct the client on what to bring to the interview. -A form of identification -Proof of residence -Proof of Social Security numbers for all people on the application -Health Insurance Cards, Premium amount statement -Income tax returns/Proof of income -Property deeds