State kicks off FamilyCare summer enrollment campaign         

[JUNE 25, 2005]  CHICAGO -- In the state's ongoing efforts to provide medical benefits and economic stability to low-income families, Gov. Rod Blagojevich recently expanded the scope of FamilyCare, which will result in more than 56,000 eligible for enrollment.

To kick off a public education campaign that explains the enhanced benefits, the Department of Public Aid -- newly named the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services -- began an aggressive summer enrollment campaign targeting hard-to-reach families. Service providers, community organizations and faith-based institutions will be on hand throughout the summer at a number of county fairs, festivals and special events throughout the state.

In addition to being available at the mega festivals such as the Taste of Chicago, FamilyCare providers will be at county fairs in cities such as Jacksonville, Nashville, Pontiac, Highland, Wheaton, Kankakee, DuQuoin and Sandwich. In addition, health care advocates will be at the Illinois State Fair Aug. 12-20 in Springfield.

FamilyCare offers health care coverage to parents living with their children 18 years old or younger. It also covers relatives who are caring for children in place of their parents. Like KidCare, FamilyCare covers doctor visits, dental care, specialty medical services, hospital care, emergency services and prescription drugs.

Committed to finding new ways to reach the uninsured, Gov. Blagojevich has increased the eligibility level for receiving FamilyCare benefits for a third time. Effective Jan. 1, 2006, the FamilyCare standard will be raised from 133 percent of the federal poverty level (annual household income of $25,068 for a family of four) to 185 percent of the federal poverty level (an annual household income of $34,872 for a family of four).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics, nearly 36 million Americans lived in poverty in 2003, an increase of 1.3 million from 2002. And since 2000, 4.4 million more people in this country are living in poverty. The Census Bureau defines poverty as an individual earning $9,393 or less and $14,680 or less for a family of three.

It is estimated that nationally nearly 45 million people are without health care insurance, including 1.8 million in Illinois.

Income requirements

Parents can qualify for FamilyCare if they live in Illinois and meet the FamilyCare income limits. They must be U.S. citizens or meet immigration requirements. KidCare or FamilyCare health benefits will not affect immigration status unless individuals receive services in a nursing home or mental health facility.

Family size	Monthly income*	Annual income
2	$ 1,422	$ 17,064
3	$ 1,783	$ 21,396
4	$ 2,145	$ 25,740
5	$ 2,506	$ 30,072
6	$ 2,867	$ 34,404

*If you have earnings from a job, pay for child care or pay child support, you may be able to get FamilyCare if you have more income than the amounts in the chart.

How to apply

• Parents and caretaker relatives whose children currently receive medical benefits should contact the Department of Human Services Local Office or a KidCare application agent.
• Parents and caretaker relatives can apply for medical benefits by completing the KidCare application and mailing it to the central KidCare unit. They can also apply through a local KidCare application agent or a Department of Human Services local office.
• Call the KidCare and FamilyCare toll-free line at 1 (866) 4-OUR-KIDS [1 [phone]] or TTY 1 [phone].

[Illinois Department of Public Aid news release]

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