Note: Use of the word spouse also includes a civil union partner.

• Do I qualify for the Benefit Access Program?
• Who qualifies as disabled?
• What if I am NOT a U.S. citizen?
• What if I become 65 years old in 2012?
• What if I am married?
• Who is a Qualified Additional Resident? Can I claim him/her on my application?
• What if I share my home with someone other than my spouse or any Qualified Additional Resident?

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Apply on the Benefit Access Application if you meet the following requirements:

1. Age
   • you must be 65 years of age or older before January 1, 2012; or
   • you must become 65 years of age during 2013 (benefits become available after you turn 65); or
   • you must be 16 years of age or older before January 1, 2013, and qualify as disabled; or


2. Residency
   • you must live in Illinois at the time you file your application


3. Income Limit for License Plate discount and Ride Free Transit Card:
   Your* total income in 2012 must be less than
   • $27,610 if filing an application for yourself only; or
   • $36,635 if filing an application for yourself and your spouse*, or yourself and one Qualified Additional Resident; or
   • $45,657 if filing an application for yourself, your spouse* and at least one Qualified Additional Resident, or yourself and at least two Qualified Additional Residents.

     *You must include your spouse's income if married and living together on December 31, 2012. If your spouse died during 2012, you would file as single and claim only your income. Do NOT include the income of a Qualified Additional Resident.



4. Expiration
   Benefits are good for two years under the Benefit Access Program. The two-year period starts at the time you are approved for benefits. You may file again up to 90 days before your benefits expire.

To qualify as disabled, you must be at least 16 years of age and
receive disability benefits from one of the following:

• Social Security Administration, or
• Veterans Administration, or
• Civil Service, or
• Railroad Retirement,

• a Class 2 disability card from the Illinois Secretary of State's office, or
• a completed Attachment A: Physician's Statement if you are not yet age 65 and do not have other proof of disability as listed above.

NOTE: Use a separate Attachment A for each person who is not yet age 65 and needs to send us other proof of disability.

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A Qualified Additional Resident is an individual, other than your spouse,

• who lived with you in the same residence in 2012 and in 2013 at the time you file your 2012 Benefit Access Application; and
• for whom you, or you and your spouse, provided more than half of that person’s total financial support in 2012; and
• who is not filing a separate 2012 Form Benefit Access Application.

You must file an Attachment B with your Benefit Access Application if you wish to claim a Qualified Additional Resident (QAR).

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You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for a License Plate discount or Ride Free Transit Card.

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If you are married and you and your spouse lived together during 2012, you must complete one Benefit Access Application and report your total combined income. Your spouse cannot apply separately.

If one or both of you resided in a nursing home, you should each complete a separate Benefit Access Application.

If you and your spouse were permanently separated in 2012 and are living at different addresses, you may each complete separate Benefit Access Applications. If you file as a surviving spouse, then only your income will be counted in determining household income.

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A person who lives with you (other than your spouse or Qualified Additional Resident) may apply on a separate Benefit Access Application, if he or she meets the requirements listed above.

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