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Information and Assistance

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

Even though the facility is closed to the public, 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!

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Senior Health Insurance Program (S.H.I.P)

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, Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap), Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs, PPOs, PFFS), prescription drug coverage, Medicare Assistance Programs (Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help from Social Security for prescription drug costs), Medicaid, Medicare claims and appeals, and beneficiary rights and guarantees. The SSP I & A Department offers this service by appointment only. We have two full time SHIP Counselors who can assist with your Medicare questions.

More information about S.H.I.P. can be found on the Illinois Department of Aging’s website:

https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/ship/Pages/default.aspx
or 1-800-252-8966

Illinois Home Energy Assistance Program (IHEAP)

The Illinois Home Energy Assistance Program, administered by Madison County Community Development, has ended its 2021 Program year. No summer cooling assistance will be offered this summer. We anticipate the next program year to begin in the fall, but we do not have finalized dates at this time.

More information about IHEAP can be found at the following website here.

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Benefit Access Program

This program provides a Secretary of State license plate discount and a ride free transit benefit (free bus pass) to qualifying individuals. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

Qualifications:

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 1st 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.

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.

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

https://www2.illinois.gov/aging/Pages/default.aspx