The following organizations are sources of different financial support for general and medical needs. Many students with severe disabilities will eventually be eligible for income and health programs under the Social Security Administration (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid and/or Medicare). Specific eligibility criteria should be discussed with each organization. Sources of financial assistance for specific needs such as educational or vocational services may be listed in other sections of this guide as well.
Because of ongoing systematic changes, the DuPage County Transition Planing Committee directs your attention to the websites of each agency to view the most current information available.
Questions to Ask Sources of Financial Assistance:
Social Security Administration
Office locations in Aurora, Bloomingdale, and Woodridge
Additional financial services provided such as financial assistance, emergency assistance, prescription assistance
Illinois Department of Human Services
DHS adminsters a variety of welfare programs for people who need money and medical care to help take care of themselves and their children
Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
The goal of this program is to help people with disabilities work with full Medicaid healthcare benefits. HBWD not only encourages enrollees to work, but to increase the number of hours they are currently working. Just as the name says, the program provides health benefits for workers with disabilities.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Unemployment insurance benefits
Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance (CHIP)
A health insurance program for people who are unable to obtain traditional health insurance because they are perceived as being high-risk due to their health or past medical condition
Division of Specialized Care for Children
Illinois Title V agency for specialized treatment and rehabilitation of children with certain chronic physical disabilities and health impairments. To be eligibl for assistance with the cost of medical care children must be under 21 years of age, must meet certain residency and financial criteria, and must have a diagnosed medical condition which is amenable to treatment and falls within one of 11 impairment categories.
Access DuPage is a collaborative effort by thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations in DuPage County to provide access to medical services to the county’s low-income, medically uninsured residents.