What letter is this in Illinois?

Read the letter in your hand before you act on it.

• Sender. The name at the top is the agency you expected, such as Get Covered Illinois, HFS or IDHS, or Social Security.
• Program name. The letter names the program: a marketplace plan, Medicaid or medical benefits, or SSI.
• Date. You can point to the date printed on the notice. That date is the one you count from.
• Case number. The case number, application number, or Social Security claim number matches the one in ABE or my Social Security.
• Deadline. The letter prints the date to act, or you know which rule on this page applies to this sender.

Sender. Get Covered Illinois, the Health Insurance Marketplace, or HealthCare.gov.

Words to look for. Marketplace, qualified health plan, premium tax credit, open enrollment, or special enrollment.

What it means. This letter is about a private marketplace plan. It is not an Illinois Medicaid approval or denial.

Deadline to act. Use the date printed on the notice. A marketplace eligibility appeal is generally 90 days from the date of the notice. Open enrollment and special enrollment windows are also printed on the letter.

Sender. Illinois Department of Human Services, or Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The letter may say Application for Benefits Eligibility or IES.

Words to look for. Medical benefits, Medicaid, All Kids, AABD, approved, or denied.

What it means. This is the state medical decision for your loved one. An approval starts coverage. A denial says the application was turned down, and the letter says why.

Deadline to act. For cash or medical assistance, an appeal is generally due 60 calendar days after the date on the notice. If the notice stops or lowers benefits, it also prints a date of change. Use that date if you want the same benefits to continue while you appeal.

Sender. Social Security Administration.

Words to look for. Notice of Planned Action, we plan to, your SSI payment, or the new amount.

What it means. Social Security is about to lower, stop, or otherwise change an SSI payment. The letter says what will change and when.

Deadline to act. You generally have 60 days after you receive a Social Security notice to appeal. Social Security assumes you received it 5 days after the date on the letter, unless you show otherwise. If you want the same SSI payment to continue while you appeal, ask within 10 days of receiving the notice. The letter prints the date the change starts.

Sender. Social Security Administration, often a local office.

Words to look for. Appointment, interview, a date and a time, and an office address.

What it means. Social Security scheduled the claims interview. The letter usually says what to bring.

Deadline to act. The deadline is the date and time on the letter. If your loved one cannot attend, call the number on the letter before that appointment and ask for a new time.

• ABE Manage My Case View notices for medical, SNAP, and cash benefits, and upload papers the case is missing.
• IDHS helpline, 1-800-843-6154 Call about case status or a missing notice. TTY is 1-866-324-5553. The contact page lists weekday hours.
• my Social Security Read Social Security letters and appointment details for the person who has the account.