Medicaid in Illinois after an SSI decision

Social Security does not enroll your loved one in Illinois Medicaid when it approves SSI. In a 209(b) state, the state makes its own medical decision. The application is in ABE, the Application for Benefits Eligibility system, for medical benefits. The same application can also ask for SNAP or cash assistance.

Apply or check the case in ABE

IDHS says a notice on cash or medical assistance is sent within 45 days, or within 60 days when the decision is based on disability. If the wait feels long, do not file a second application just to hurry the first one. Call 1-800-843-6154, say the program, then say case status. Have the application tracking number, the T number, if you have it.

The denial letter says why. Read that reason before you choose a next step. Two clocks can run at the same time, and both use the date on the notice.

Missing papers. If the denial was because requested information never arrived, send all of it within 60 days of the date on the denial letter. IDHS can reopen the case on the original application date without a new application and without an appeal. If your loved one is eligible, coverage can start in the month of that application, or earlier if the application asked for prior coverage. Miss those 60 days and you apply again in ABE.

Appeal. For cash or medical assistance, an appeal is generally due 60 calendar days after the date on the notice. Day one is the day after that date. The last page of the denial says where to file. You can appeal in ABE. Filing an appeal is separate from sending the missing papers.

A new application. Apply again in ABE when the 60-day window to send missing papers has passed, or when the denial was for a reason that a new set of facts would change. A new application gets a new filing date. It does not replace an appeal of the old decision.

HFS says to tell IDHS if the mailing address or phone number changes while the application is open. Otherwise the request for papers, or the decision, can go to the old address. Update the case in ABE, or call 1-800-843-6154.