04/08/2025
Summary:
- Elimination of the requirement to apply for other benefits when applying for medical programs.
- Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) revision to remove applicable text.
This manual release guides the implementation of a specific provision of the federal final rule, Streamlining the Medicaid; Children's Health Insurance Program, and Basic Health Program Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment, and Renewal Processes (published April 2, 2024). This rule eliminates the requirement that individuals must apply for other benefits for which they may be entitled as a condition of Medicaid eligibility.
Applying for Other Benefits
PM 01-02-03: Using Available Benefits, PM 01-02-03-b: Applying for Unemployment Insurance (Assist), and PM 09-03-00: Potential Income Sources have been revised to note that individuals are no longer required to apply for and receive any other financial benefits when applying for Medical benefits. Some examples of financial benefit types someone may qualify for include but are not limited to:
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Social Security Retirement benefits
- Social Security Survivors benefits
- Social Security Income
- Workers' Compensation
- Unemployment insurance
ABE System Changes
The following text was removed from Healthcare Coverage- Client Rights and Responsibilities screen: "You must apply for other financial benefits for which you may qualify such as Social Security Benefits or Unemployment Insurance."
MANUAL REVISIONS
[signed copy on file]
Dulce Quintero
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Elizabeth Whitehorn
Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
