Non-English/Multilingual Resources Resources
Home Modification Tip Sheet for MFTD Waiver Families
The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Children (commonly called the MFTD waiver) can pay for certain home modifications. The modifications must be for the individual’s primary residence and necessary to meet their medical needs. Home modifications may include:
- Permanent structural changes
- Equipment that is installed or attached to the home
- Solutions that are not permanent
This tip sheet explains what type of home modifications may be covered and the process for moving forward.
How SSI and SSDI Can Help Patients
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics as well as understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Many of PAF’s resources are also available in Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
How to Fill Out DSCC Forms in Spanish
There are a number of forms that our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participants must fill out. We’ve created three instructional videos to help our Spanish-speaking families fill out some of our most commonly used forms. These videos provide step-by-step instructions:
- Solicitud del Programa de DSCC. (Filling out the DSCC Program Application)
- Reembolso de Costos (Filling out the Reimbursement Cost Log)
- Asistencia de Viaje (Filling out the Travel Cost Log)
The non-profit iCan Dream Center in Tinley Park connects youth with intellectual disabilities, autism and various learning difficulties in suburban Chicago to holistic, innovative special education services. The center offers a welcoming education setting where neurodiverse youth have access to the skills, resources and opportunities necessary to thrive beyond their labels. iCan Dream Center programs include:
- Training
- Transition to adulthood support
- After-school recreational therapeutic programming for youth
- Once a month, cost-free Saturday Experiences for young adults
- Counseling
- Parent support group and more
For questions, please contact the iCan Dream Center at info@icandreamcenter.com or (708) 798-4200.
igrow supports pregnant people and parents with young children ages birth to 5 who live in communities that face greater risks and barriers to achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes.
igrow home visiting provides family support and coaching to young parents who may be inexperienced and often do not have family support. Trained professionals are matched with families based on each family’s needs. To find a home visiting program in a specific community, use igrow’s interactive map to see the listing of specific communities that offer coordinated intake for home visiting services
If you need help finding a home visiting program, email dhs.homevisiting@illinois.gov.
ILHousingSearch.org is a free bilingual online resource for renters and property providers in Illinois.
You can search for affordable, accessible and market-rate housing to fit your needs and budget.
For additional assistance, call (877) 428-8844 (toll-free) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dial 7-1-1 for TTY.
IL ABLE (Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without losing, or losing access to, federal means-tested benefits such as SSI, SSDI and Medicaid. Earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if they are spent on a broad range of qualified disability expenses including housing, health and wellness, education and training, therapy, basic living expenses and more.
For more information:
- Call (888) 609-8683, Monday – Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Support is provided for non-English speakers as well as deaf and hard-of-hearing callers.
- Email il.clientservice@savewithable.com.
Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans Toolkits and Resources
The Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP) provides tips and tools to help Medicaid enrollees maintain their coverage. IAMHP also provides several toolkits and brochures for Medicaid members, including:
- The Illinois Medicaid MCO (Managed Care Organization) Transportation Toolkit to help members with scheduling transportation for medical appointments. It is available in English and Spanish.
- The IAMHP Medicaid Benefit Brochure to guide current and future Medicaid members to understand the comprehensive benefits the Medicaid program provides, the added benefits of being enrolled in Medicaid managed care and how to enroll in each program. It is available in English and Spanish.
- The MCO Maternal Benefits Toolkit to help pregnant people on Medicaid understand their maternal health benefits.
- The MCO Maternal Health Toolkit to help support pregnant people and families on Medicaid with resources to support mental health conditions that arise during and after pregnancy.
You can find these toolkits and more resources on the IAMHP website.
Illinois Attorney General Health Care Helpline
The Illinois Attorney General Health Care Bureau has a toll-free helpline that allows consumers to ask questions, file complaints or request assistance. You can call the Health Care Helpline at (877) 305-5145. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities can reach it by using the 711 Relay Service.
Health Care Bureau attorneys conduct investigations and file lawsuits to enforce consumer protection laws. This brochure provides information on how their staff members can assist consumers in many areas, including:
- Denial of coverage or treatment
- Concerns about healthcare providers
- Billing disputes and recovering unfair out-of-pocket expenses
- Navigating the health insurance appeals process
- Understanding your health care rights and consumer protection laws
- Correcting health plan or provider errors
For more information, the Illinois Attorney General provides brochures, including:
Illinois Cares for Kids provides parents, caregivers, teachers, and childcare providers a place to find information on statewide programs related to early learning and development, child care and family well-being in English and Spanish. The website includes information about:
- Child development and education for kids of all ages
- Healthcare coverage and emotional well-being
- Home visiting programs
- Child care subsidy programs
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Bright Start 529 college savings plan