About ABE

Is ABE the right place to start?

ABE is always the right place to start when applying for Health Coverage, Food Assistance like the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), or Cash Assistance benefits.
ABE has a number of features to ensure that application data is transferred securely, accurately and efficiently for processing.
For Medicaid, if you are not sure if you are eligible, choose the Check if I Should Apply option on the homepage. You will be asked questions about your household and given additional information based on your replies.
- You can learn more about the Illinois Marketplace and available financial assistance at Get Covered Illinois or by calling 1-800-318-2596.
- There is no wrong way to apply. We are working together for you! If the Marketplace thinks you may be eligible for Medicaid, they will send them to the State for processing. Medicaid applications processed by the State will be sent to the Marketplace if someone does not qualify for Medicaid.

You may submit an application for benefits with only your name, address and electronic signature (agreeing to benefit terms and entering your name in the signature section at the end of application). However, you will be asked to provide more information later so the state can process the application. Including as much information as possible when completing the ABE application will reduce the time it takes to approve your application.
Supplying a Social Security Number (SSN) with the application can reduce the time it takes to approve your application. Some non-citizens, including children, pregnant women and seniors over age 65, may be eligible for medical benefits without an SSN.
In the application, at the end of each section there is a summary where you can review what you have entered and make changes.
Expect to spend 30 to 45 minutes completing an ABE application.

An interview with a caseworker is required for SNAP and Cash Assistance benefits. Applicants will be contacted within 14 days for this interview. Applicants that might have difficulty getting in to the office may request a phone interview for SNAP, however, an office interview is required for Cash Assistance (TANF).
A caseworker may call you using the contact information provided in the application to perform the interview. Please make sure your daytime phone numbers are accurate and up-to-date, and answer the phone. If you do not answer the phone, this will be considered a missed appointment.
An interview is NOT required for medical coverage.

Once you have submitted an application and a caseworker has started to process it, you can begin using Manage My Case to track the status of your application and manage your new benefits if approved.
Refer to the Manage My Case Guide for more information about ABE's Manage My Case features.