The Medicaid Income Limit is the most important criteria for deciding whether you qualify for Medicaid in your state. In this post, we are going to explain in detail the Illinois Medicaid Income Limits for 2021. Medicaid in Illinois is commonly called the Medical Assistance Program.
Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for Illinois Medicaid or not.
However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in Illinois and how it works.
Next, we will discuss who is eligible for Medicaid, including how eligibility works for various categories, including Children, Pregnant Women, and Adults.
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with a low income.
It provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but who can’t afford private coverage.
How Many People are on Medicaid?
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as of November 2020, here are the number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Chip in the entire United States:
- 78,521,263 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
- 72,204,587 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
- 6,695,834 individuals were enrolled in CHIP
Illinois Medicaid
The Illinois Medicaid program provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families.
As of 2020, the program, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covered 3.1 million people.
This includes 1.4 million children as shown by the image below.
In Illinois, the Medicaid program is run by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS).
Who Can Get Medicaid in Illinois?
You should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions below:
- You think you are pregnant
- The parent or caretaker of a child and/or teenager under the age of 19.
- You are a child or teenager age 18 or under.
- An adult age 65 or older.
- You are legally blind.
- Living with a disability or disabled.
- You are in need of nursing home care.
Illinois Medicaid Income Limit
The Illinois Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.
To qualify, you must meet the Illinois Medicaid Income limits listed below.
Here is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for 2021.
| 2021 Federal Poverty Levels for the 48 Contiguous States & D.C. | |||
| Household Size | Poverty Guideline for 48 states & DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $12,880 | $16,090 | $14,820 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $21,770 | $20,040 |
| 3 | $21,960 | $27,450 | $25,260 |
| 4 | $26,500 | $33,130 | $30,480 |
| 5 | $31,040 | $38,810 | $35,700 |
| 6 | $35,580 | $44,490 | $40,920 |
| 7 | $40,120 | $50,170 | $46,140 |
| 8 | $44,660 | $55,850 | $51,360 |
| Over 8 people | add $4,540 for each additional person | $5,680 | $5,220 |
Additionally, to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot make more than the income guidelines outlined below:
- Children up to age 1 with family income up to 142 percent of FPL
- Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 142 percent of FPL
- Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 142 percent of FPL
- CHIP for children with family income up to 313 percent of FPL
- Pregnant women with family income up to 208 percent of FPL
- Parents of minor children with family income up to 133 percent of FPL
- Individuals who are elderly, blind, and disabled with family income up to 100% of the FPL
- Adults without dependents under Medicaid expansion with income up to 133% of the FPL
Illinois Medicaid Income Limit Charts
The Illinois Medicaid eligibility income limit charts are divided by groups.
For example, the first chart is focused on income limits for children who qualify for Medicaid.
Similarly, the second chart below focuses on the Medicaid income limits for adults in Illinois who qualify for Medicaid.
Illinois Medicaid Income Limit for Children
Below is the income limit for children by age category. Find the age category your child falls into and you will see the income limit by household size.
| Illinois Medicaid Income Limit – Children | ||||||
| Children Medicaid Ages 0-1 | Children Medicaid Ages 1-5 | Children Medicaid Ages 6-18 | Children Separate CHIP | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 142% | 142% | 142% | 313% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $18,290 | $18,290 | $18,290 | $40,314 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $24,736 | $24,736 | $24,736 | $54,525 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $31,183 | $31,183 | $31,183 | $68,735 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $37,630 | $37,630 | $37,630 | $82,945 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $44,077 | $44,077 | $44,077 | $97,155 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $50,524 | $50,524 | $50,524 | $111,365 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $56,970 | $56,970 | $56,970 | $125,576 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $63,417 | $63,417 | $63,417 | $139,786 | |
Next is the income limit for adults by category. Find the category you fall into and you will see the income limit by household size.
Illinois has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.
Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in Illinois.
For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in Illinois, see our Illinois Expansion update below.
Illinois Medicaid Income Limit for Adults
| Illinois Medicaid Income Limit – Adults | ||||||
| Pregnant Women Medicaid | Adults (Medicaid) Parent/ Caretaker | Seniors & People w/ Disabilities (Medicaid) | Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 208% | 133% | 100% | 133% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $26,790 | $17,130 | $12,880 | $17,130 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $36,234 | $23,169 | $17,420 | $23,169 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $45,677 | $29,207 | $21,960 | $29,207 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $55,120 | $35,245 | $26,500 | $35,245 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $64,563 | $41,283 | $31,040 | $41,283 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $74,006 | $47,321 | $35,580 | $47,321 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $83,450 | $53,360 | $40,120 | $53,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $92,893 | $59,398 | $44,660 | $59,398 | |
How to Read the Illinois Medicaid Income Limits Charts Above
You cannot have an income higher than the Federal Poverty Level percentage described for your group to be eligible for Medicaid.
Similarly, when you identify the income group that applies to you, the income limit you see refers to the maximum level of income you can earn to qualify for benefits.
For example, if you are pregnant, to qualify for Medicaid, you cannot have an income higher than 208% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is $36,234 as shown in the chart above.
How to Apply for Illinois Medicaid
There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in Illinois.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the ABE Illinois account (as shown in the image below). If you have an account, you can log in or create your ABE Illinois Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DHS Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Illinois Department of Human Services office near you. Click here to locate a DHS office.
Option 3 – Download Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHS office or submit it in person.
Call your county DHS office if one of these methods will not work for you. Click here to locate a DHS office.
Additionally, you can apply by calling 1-800-843-6154 (TTY 1-800-447-6404) and ask DHS to mail you an application.
Illinois Medicaid Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the Illinois Medicaid Agency:
Customer Help Line: 1-800-843-6154 · 1-866-324-5553 TTY
Use the IDHS Customer Help Line for questions about case status, benefits, services, or eligibility.
Customer Service agents are available 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday except for state holidays.
Medicaid Provider Help Line: 1-800-804-3833 · 1-877-434-1082 TTY.
Illinois Medicaid Expansion Update
The state of Illinois expanded Medicaid in 2014, and more than 600,000 people have gained coverage as a result.
As a result, the state’s uninsured rate has dropped from 12.7 percent in 2013 to 6.8 percent in 2017.
Additionally, the state has been approved for a waiver that allows Illinois to pilot new mental health and substance abuse treatment approaches.
Furthermore, Illinois Medicaid has expanded coverage for Hepatitis C medication.
Illinois Medicaid Income Limits Summary
We hope this post on Illinois Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.
If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of Illinois, you can ask us in the comments section below.
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Be sure to check out our other articles about Medicaid.
Income limits for Florida Medicaid
Alabama Medicaid Income Limits and How to Apply
Alaska Medicaid Income Limits and Chart