Benefits Planning Program

Helping you understand how your benefits will be affected by working.

What is the Benefits Planning Program?

We are a state funded program created to help individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) make informed choices about going to work.

If you are interested in getting a job, we will help you understand how working will affect your benefits.

We will explain Social Security work incentives in addition to state benefits, such as Medicaid, housing and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Our Benefits Planning Program will give you the information you need to make the best choice about your future.

Who is eligible?

Anyone who gets SSI/SSDI and wants to work is eligible to get free benefits planning services. This includes those that are considering going back to work and those who are working.

We can:

Explain how ALL of your benefits will be affected if you go to work. Some of these benefits include SSI/SSDI, subsidized housing, SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare;
Give you documents that show how earnings from your job will change your benefits;
Tell you about other community services that can help you;
Be available to answer any questions you have about your benefits, even after you go to work;
Provide ongoing benefits management if you get a raise or change jobs; and
Make a referral to help you resolve any legal barriers related to employment, such as employer accommodations that will help you do your job.

For Additional Information

For more information on the Benefits Planning Program, contact:

DRS/Benefits Planning Program at:

217-558-6326

DHS.DRSBenefitsPlanning@illinois.gov

You may also write:

Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services Benefits Planning Program

100 South Grand Avenue East

P.O. Box 19429

Springfield, Illinois 62794-9429

Benefits Planning Program