INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

I&A Specialist: 618-465-3298 ext. 119
I&A Clerk: 618-465-3298 ext. 115

Learn about and apply for public benefit programs.

How Our I&A Team Can Help:

The Information & Assistance Department is where older adults can learn about and apply for public benefit programs such as: LIHEAP (energy assistance), SNAP (food stamps), the Benefit Access Program (formerly Circuit Breaker), Medicare, Medicare Assistance Programs, Medicaid, and much more!

I&A staff are providing all the same services telephonically. If we are not able to answer your call immediately, please leave a message. Most messages are returned by the end of the day or within 24 hours depending on call volume. We appreciate your patience and look forward to helping you in any way that we can!

Programs We Offer:

Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

SHIP is a free counseling service provided by the Illinois Department of Aging. SHIP Counselors do not sell or solicit insurance, but rather provide Medicare beneficiaries and their family members with information so that they can make informed decisions about their Medicare benefits. SHIP Counselors can answer questions about the following:

Medicare and Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Assistance Programs (Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help from Social Security for Prescription Drug Costs)
Medicaid

The SSP I&A Department offers this service by appointment only. We have two full-time SHIP counselors who can assist you with your Medicare questions. Please call

618-465-3298 ext 119 or 115 to speak to a SHIP counselor.

Benefit Access Program

The Benefit Access Program provides a Secretary of State license plate discount and free transit benefit (free bus pass) to qualifying individuals.

The SSP I & A Department can assist you with completing this application, or you can apply online. Once your application has been approved, benefits are good for two years and then you will have to renew your application.

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

Qualifications:

You must be 65 years of age or older before January 1 of the current year; OR you must become 65 years of age this year; OR you must be 16 years of age or older before January 1 of the current year and qualify as disabled.

Residency Requirements:

You must live in Illinois at the time you file your application.

Income Requirements:

Your income must be less than:

1 person household- $33,562
2 person household- $44,533
3 person household- $55,500

*Note: You must include your spouse's income if married and living together on December 31 of last year. If your spouse died last year, you would file as single and claim only your income.

More information about the Benefit Access Program and the online application can be found here:

https://ilaging.illinois.gov/benefitsaccess.html

Illinois Energy Home Assistance Program (IHEAP)

The Illinois Home Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Madison County Community Development, assists eligible households paying for winter energy services by providing a one-time benefit to be used for energy bills.

The 2024 program begins on October 1st and will last until August 31st or until funding runs out! Please note that we only take applicants 60 years of age or older.

Please call to apply at 618-465-3298 ext 119 or 115. For more information on IHEAP, click here.

Options Counseling

Long-term care options, comprehensive needs assessments, and connection to benefit programs are provided through a person-centered planning approach.

Please call 618-465-3298 ext 119 or 115 for more information.

Emergency Financial Assistance

There is Emergency Financial Assistance available to Madison County residents. Eligibility is determined by household size, age, income, and assets. Please call one of our I&A specialists for additional information at 618-465-3298 ext 119 or 115.