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The Illinois Department on Aging's Circuit Breaker program provides grants to senior citizens and persons with disabilities to help them reduce the impact of taxes and prescription medications on their lives. When the costs of property taxes and prescription medicines begin to "overload" our seniors and persons with disabilities, this program steps in to help, just as a circuit breaker prevents overloads in an electrical system.
NOTICE: In past years, the Department on Aging has been able to issue Circuit Breaker grants at the maximum allowable amounts. However, the state budget for fiscal year 2010 (July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010) did not fund the Circuit Breaker program at those levels. In order to continue to provide the Circuit Breaker grant benefit to older adults and persons with disabilities on and after July 1, the Department made the difficult decision to cut each grant awarded in half. This decision based on budgetary cutbacks cannot be appealed.
Thank you for your understanding.
How does it work? |
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For those who qualify, Circuit Breaker provides:
- Tax Grants – If you pay property taxes or mobile home taxes on your home, or if you rent or live in a nursing, retirement, or shelter care home that was subject to property taxes, you may be able to receive a grant.
- License Plate Discount – A $75 discount on your license plate fee.
- People with Disabilities Ride Free – If you have a qualifying disability and meet the income eligibility requirements of the Circuit Breaker program, you may be eligible for free rides on all fixed-route regularly scheduled buses, trains and public transit systems.
- Prescription Drug Assistance –
If you have Medicare, Illinois Cares Rx will help pay the costs that Medicare does not.
If you do NOT have Medicare, Illinois Cares Rx provides two benefits:
- Illinois Cares Rx BASIC
- Illinois Cares Rx PLUS.
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Income Limits |
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For Illinois Cares Rx, Circuit Breaker property tax grant/ license plate discount and People with Disabilities Ride Free transit card, your total income in 2009 must be less than:
- $27,610 for a household of one;
- $36,635 for a household of two; or
- $45,657 for a household of three.
If you are found eligible for Illinois Cares Rx, you will receive the Illinois Cares Rx BASIC benefit if:
- you do not have Medicare;
- you are under age 65; or
- you are age 65 or older and have an annual income greater than:
- $26,917 if filing an application for yourself; or
- $36,212 if filing an application for yourself, your spouse or one qualified additional resident.
Illinois Cares Rx AIDS Drug Assistance
Illinois Cares Rx provides an additional coordinating benefit for individuals who have Medicare and a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS.* For more information, see What Drugs Are Covered: HIV/AIDS.
The formulary is determined by Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which is operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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How do I enroll? |
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Follow these steps to enroll in Circuit Breaker and start receiving your benefits:
- Am I eligible for Circuit Breaker? – Review the eligibility requirements to see if you are able to enroll. Briefly, Circuit Breaker is for Illinois Residents, age 65 or older or with a disability, and who meet certain income requirements.
- Apply today! – Mail your application or file it on the Internet.
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