Do I Qualify for Form IL-1363 Circuit Breaker Benefits?

Until we are notified of any changes, applicants for Illinois Cares Rx-Circuit Breaker must meet the following requirements to enroll on-line on Form IL-1363. (Remember do NOT file by paper as it can take up to 4 months to get in the system.)  Use on-line enrollment: call LCCS at 847-244-1720 to make an appointment and learn what documents are required. (See the HOW DO I ENROLL link.)

1. Age
1. you must be 65 years of age or older before January 1, 2011; or
2. you must become 65 years of age during 2010 (benefits become available after you turn 65; your Circuit Breaker grant will be prorated based on the number of months you were 65 in 2012); or
3. you must be 16 years of age or older before January 1, 2012, and qualify as disabled; or
4. you must be a widow or widower who was 63 or 64 years of age before the death of your spouse, if your spouse was receiving or was eligible to receive Form IL-1363 benefits such as the Circuit Breaker grant, License Plate discount and/or Transit Card. (You will be eligible to receive Illinois Cares Rx when you reach age 65.)
2. Residency
1. you must live in Illinois at the time you file your application; and
2. you must continue to be a resident of Illinois to receive Illinois Cares Rx; and
3. you must have lived in an Illinois residence in 2010 that was subject to property or mobile home tax to be eligible for a Circuit Breaker grant.
4. You must be a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen for Illinois Cares Rx PLUS. There is no citizenship requirement for the other Form IL-1363 benefits.
3. Income Limit for Illinois Cares RX (pharmaceuitcal assistance) Circuit Breaker grant and License Plate discount
   Your* total income in 2012 must be less than
1. $27,610 if filing an application for yourself only; or
2. $36,635 if filing an application for yourself and your spouse*, or yourself and one Qualified Additional Resident; or
3. $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, 2011. If you file as a surviving spouse, then only your income will be counted in determining household income. If your spouse died in 2011, you would file as single and claim only your income. Be sure to include both taxable and nontaxable amounts unless indicated otherwise in the instructions. Do NOT include any Qualified Additional Resident’s income. For more information on what is considered income, see page 15 of the Form IL-1363 application booklet.

Projecting Your Income

If your 2012 income was over these limits, but you have experienced an event that has decreased your income to less than the income limitations for 2011, and you have met the age and citizenship/residency requirements, you may qualify for drug coverage by projecting your income.

For example, a qualifying event might be the death of your spouse, a divorce, the onset of a disability, or your spouse entering a nursing home.

In order to qualify under these conditions, you must file Schedule P: Projected Income Schedule for Illinois Cares Rx Drug Coverage with your Form IL-1363.

4. NOTE: To view the requirements for Illinois Cares Rx PLUS and BASIC, see Do I also qualify for Illinois Cares Rx benefits?

5. Deadline
Although the Circuit Breaker deadline is on or before December 31, 2011 LCCS recommends filing before the end of October to ensure your enrollment is accepted.  Those that are new to Circuit Breaker:  File as early as possible to get your benefits sooner. YOU MUST FILE EVERY YEAR.

Who qualifies as disabled?

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,

or have one of the following:

• a Class 2 disability card from the Illinois Secretary of State's office, or
• a completed Schedule 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 Schedule A for each person who is not yet age 65 and needs to send us other proof of disability. You must attach proof of disability.

 

Source: Illinois Department on Aging