Funeral & Burial Benefits

What is the purpose of this service?

The program reimburses the funeral and burial expenses when a person's resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates.

Who can receive these services?

The Department reimburses the funeral and burial expenses of a person who at the time of death:

  • was receiving any of the following kinds of assistance:
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash
    • Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (AABD) Cash
    • All Kids Assist
    • Parent/All Kids Assist
    • All Kids Moms & Babies
    • Family Assist
    • AABD Medical
    • General Assistance Foster Care/Adoption Care
  • or who would have qualified for:
    • All Kids Assist
    • Parent/All Kids Assist
    • All Kids Moms & Babies
    • Family Assist
    • AABD Medical

What services are offered?

The Department reimburses funeral and burial expenses on two types of claims:

  1. IL444-0029 - Funeral or Burial Claim (pdf) (submitted by a funeral home or cemetery)
    • persons not legally responsible for the deceased may contribute to the cost of the casket, urn, or vault; and
    • the cost of additional expenses or merchandise that are not required to be provided with the Department's payment, with limits of $2,000 funeral and $2000 burial OR
  2. IL444-0094 - Funeral & Burial Reimbursement Claim (pdf) submitted by a person who is not legally responsible for the deceased and who has paid an amount equal to or more than the amount of the claim.

Maximum Amount that DHS will Pay

  • $1,370.00 for a funeral
  • $686.00 for a cremation/burial

How to Apply?

Applications may be found at your local Family Community Resource Center, or you may click on the claim form links above.  Use the DHS Office Locator to find your local Family Community Resource Center.

Where to Send the Form:

Funeral and burial claims are processed by the IDHS Funeral and Burial Unit located in Springfield:

  • Illinois Department of Human Services
    Funeral and Burial Unit
    100 South Grand Avenue, East, 2nd Floor
    Springfield, IL  62762
  • Email: dhs.fb@illinois.gov
  • Fax: 217-524-7554

Contacts

All questions and inquiries regarding the claims and or payments/denials for the offices listed above should be directed to:

Funeral and Burial Unit at (217) 785-4216