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Info for Parents / información para padres

Apply for Cash Assistance
Types of Cash Assistance Programs

People who need cash assistance may qualify for one of several programs. Here you will find short descriptions of programs that are available.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program helps pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children with temporary cash and other benefits. TANF can help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical.
- Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) helps those who qualify and need cash assistance.
- Earnfare helps adults who do not have custody of their children and who receive SNAP (formerly Food Stamps.) They must first work off the value of their SNAP benefits (at minimum wage) and then they can work more hours and earn up to $294 per month.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) puts cash back in your pocket and will locate help to file your Income Taxes.
More Information & Resources
- Illinois Link Card - the card that allows you to spend your cash and SNAP benefits electronically.
- Change of Address, Income or Assets
- Report fraud for Cash, SNAP & Medical Assistance
- Funeral & Burial Benefits
- Cash, SNAP and Medical Manual
Jobs
- Vocational Rehabilitation - assists people with disabilities in preparing for and finding quality employment.
- Work Incentive Planning & Assistance Program - helps individuals who receive SSI or SSDI make informed choices about going to work.
- Day Services for People with Developmental Disabilities - provides skill training or job coaches to help people with developmental disabilities succeed in the workplace.
Independent Living
- Home Services Program - provides services to individuals with severe disabilities so they can remain in their own homes and live as independently as possible.
- Services for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired - assists adults who are blind or visually impaired in achieving their education, employment, and independent living goals.
- In-Home Supports for People with Developmental Disabilities - provides services and supports to help people with developmental disabilities live more independently in their homes.
- Other Supports for People with Developmental Disabilities - provides people with developmental disabilities help with adaptive equipment, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and provides information about support and advocacy groups.
- Residential Living Arrangements for People with Developmental Disabilities - provides people with developmental disabilities the care and services needed in homes with staff available 24 hours per day.
Education
- Educational Services - serves children and youth with disabilities at three residential schools - Illinois School for the Deaf, Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, and Illinois Center for Rehabilitation & Education-Roosevelt - and offers Next Steps training and support for parents of children with disabilities.
Disability Benefits
- Disability Determination Services - determines the eligibility of people to receive benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Child Services
- Early Intervention Services - helps children (ages 0 to 3) with disabilities learn and grow.
Advocacy & Customer Service

If you have applied for or are receiving services from the DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and have concerns or complaints, please contact the Client Assistance Program.

To report abuse or neglect of a person with a disability, please call 1-800-368-1463 V/TTY.

More Information & Resources
- IL ABLE - "Achieving a Better Life Experience" accounts give people with disabilities and their families greater financial independence while preserving benefits.
- Illinois Assistive Technology Program - IATP is a not-for-profit organization that provides information and assistance regarding assistive technologies and accessibility, including a demonstration center and loan program.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Disability
- Health Benefits for Workers With Disabilities (HBWD) is Illinois' Medicaid Buy-In program authorized under the federal Ticket to Work - Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA).