State kicks off FamilyCare summer enrollment campaign
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[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.
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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.
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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 (866) 468-7543] or TTY 1 (877) 204-1012.
[Illinois
Department of Public Aid news release]
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