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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Welcome to the home page for Illinois’ 9 Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) waivers

HFS administers 9 comprehensive programs that offer eligible customers choices and the ability to remain in their homes or live in a community setting, instead of an institution or Long Term Care facility.  Each of the 9 Illinois programs (also called waivers) are designed for individuals with similar (or specific) needs and offers a different set of services to keep them in their homes.

To be eligible for an Illinois HCBS Waiver, individuals must:

  • Be U.S. citizens or legal aliens and residents of the state of Illinois;
  • Meet Medicaid financial eligibility criteria as specified in each waiver;
  • Require an institutional level of care as specified in each waiver;
  • Have service needs at a cost equal to or less than the cost for institutional care; and
  • Meet any other requirements, such as age or diagnosis requirements, specific to the waiver program.

Each of the 9 waivers contain their own individual eligibility requirements.  For more information on each of the 9 Illinois waivers and those eligibility requirements, click on the links on the left.

HCBS Recent Developments

Combining 3 HCBS waivers into 1 HCBS waiver:

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS) are working together to merge the following Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers into one (1) combined waiver:

  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Persons with HIV/AIDS
  • Persons with Brain Injury 

These programs fall under the Home Services Program (HSP).  They are often referred to as DRS’ waivers. Merging the waivers lifts administrative burden and allows its waiver customers access to the same services.

Information regarding the merger is posted on the DHS DRS’ website and can be accessed by clicking on the link to the left.

Additional Customer Assistance

For information about your medical benefits, call the Health Benefits Hotline:
1-866-468-7543.   Persons Using TTY: 1-877-204-1012

For more information about the HCBS waiver programs, click on the ‘Fact Sheet’ for each waiver program listed on the left side of the page.  Each waiver program offers translation services, helplines, TTY services, and visual aids on their websites.