Kane County senior citizens might want to check out some of the expanded benefits being offered to seniors under laws that went into effect Jan. 1.

According to a state of Illinois news release, the Illinois Department on Aging is implementing new annual income limits, making it possible for more individuals to qualify for the Secretary of State License Plate Discount, Seniors Ride Free Transit Benefit, and Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride.

Paula Basta, director of IDoA, thanked legislators for passing the laws.

“These benefits support some of our state’s most vulnerable residents by assisting them in their transportation needs, so we are proud to announce that more individuals will be able to take advantage of this program,” she said.

Specifically, as part of the budget implementation bill, SB 1814, which was passed in May by the General Assembly, it will now be easier for some to receive benefits from the Benefit Access Program, the formal name of the program that includes the Secretary of State License Plate Discount, Seniors Ride Free Transit Benefit, and Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride.

Any application submitted Jan. 1, 2020, through April 15, 2020, will continue to use 2018 income but will be subjected to the new income limits. Applications submitted on or after April 16, 2020, must use 2019 income to file. Therefore, if an applicant applied in 2019 and was denied based on 2018 income using the current income limits, he or she will be afforded an opportunity to re-apply.

Once approved, benefits are valid for two years.

The increase in income eligibility limitations reflect the annual cost of living adjustment in Social Security and supplemental security income benefits. The average annual Social Security income in Illinois is $17,470/year.

Without Social Security, it is estimated that an additional 36% of older Illinoisans would fall into poverty. There has not been an increase in income eligibility limitations in the Benefit Access Program since 2010.

In Fiscal Year 2019, the department received over 126,180 applications, compared to 75,288 applications in 2006, which was the first year IDoA had made the application available online.

To be determined eligible for these benefits, individuals must submit a Benefit Access Application online.

Visit the IDoA website, www.illinois.gov/aging/, and click on the “Benefit Access” tab near the top. Paper applications are not available. Individuals who don’t have access to a computer are encouraged to contact their local Area Agency on Aging, visit a local senior center, public library, or community center.

For assistance locating your Area Agency on Aging or a local senior center, call the IDoA Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 (hearing impaired call 1-888-206-1327).

SOURCE: state of Illinois news release