Illinois’ Supported Decision-Making Act ensures people with disabilities can get the help they need to make decisions for their own lives. The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has many resources to explain the Supported Decision-Making Act. These include:

• Supported Decision-Making Brochure in English
• Supported Decision-Making Brochure in Spanish
• Supported Decision-Making Frequently Asked Questions
• Supported Decision-Making Training for Persons With Disabilities

Illinois Medicaid covers many services including comprehensive medical, dental, vision and pharmacy benefits. Our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) tip sheet “What Does Illinois Medicaid Cover?” offers examples of what may be covered in a variety of areas such as vision, transportation and mental health services.

What Does Illinois Medicaid Cover? tip sheet in English

What Does Illinois Medicaid Cover? tip sheet in Spanish

Illinois Medicaid is not a DSCC program. DSCC does not decide coverage or eligibility for Medicaid. This is a helpful guide. To learn more, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services website.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is a nonprofit organization providing training, individual assistance, information and resources about raising a child of any age with any disability or special needs diagnosis.

The U.S. Surgeon General has released a report that highlights the critical state of youth mental health and the impact of COVID-19. It includes suggested actions and resources for family members and caregivers as well as young people, educators, community organizations and government agencies.

The Child Neurology Foundation provides a telehealth tip sheet to help families and children prepare for video or phone appointments and make them as comfortable and successful as possible.

The Affordable Connectivity Program(ACP) is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. Eligible households can receive:

• Up to $30 per month discount for internet service, including associated equipment rentals such as a modem
• Up to $75 per month discount for households on qualifying tribal lands
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. The FCC provides a list of frequently asked questions and enrollment information for families.

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a one-time water and wastewater payment assistance program to help households that are facing the threat of disconnection, have already been disconnected or have past due balances over $250 for their water and wastewater services combined. Customers may apply one time for water and one time for wastewater for the life of the program, which is Feb. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2023.

DuPage County applications are taken by appointment only by calling (630) 407-6500 or emailing CSprograms@dupageco.org.

The Rare Sisters Batten Foundation (RSBF) supports the development of medical research for treatments and cures for CLN3 Batten Disease and also provides monetary assistance to families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder.

Families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease may apply with RSBF for financial help to cover a wide variety of needs. Funds are awarded on a case-by-case basis and contingent on the availability of funds.

COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the United States, including the uninsured. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an online tool for finding health centers and pharmacies offering low or no-cost testing in your state.

Check your local health department and local news for additional testing sites in your area.

Your health insurance company will pay you back for eight at-⁠home COVID-19 tests per month for each person on the plan. Learn more about insurance reimbursement for at-home tests.