Affordable Senior Care in Illinois

Medicaid, PACE and other programs that pay for care in Illinois, and providers near you that accept them.

Medicaid long-term care in Illinois

Program: HCBS Waiver for Persons who are Elderly (Community Care Program)
Run by: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Apply: Application link not yet verified — call your Area Agency on Aging (1-800-677-1116)
Assisted living: Covered for eligible people — Supportive Living Program (SLP)
Waiting list: Not known
PACE programs: Yes — find a PACE program near you ↗

Medicaid in this state can pay for care services in assisted living for people who qualify. Medicaid usually does not pay rent or meals (“room and board”).

SLP waiver pays services in certified supportive living facilities; residents pay room and board. Apply portal unverified.

Sources: hfs.illinois.gov · payingforseniorcare.com · npaonline.org (checked 2026-10-31)

Enter a ZIP code or city above to see Medicaid-certified nursing homes (642 in Illinois), assisted living (0 loaded) and home health agencies near you.

Vacancies and waiting lists

We only show Medicaid bed availability or waiting-list status when a facility has confirmed it to us. No facility in Illinois has reported yet, so please call facilities directly. Medicaid waiting lists for state programs are run by the state or your Area Agency on Aging.

Free help finding and paying for care

Eldercare Locator ↗ · 1-800-677-1116
Finds your local Area Agency on Aging, which can arrange in-home help, meals, adult day programs and Medicaid screening.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) ↗
Free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman ↗
Free advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living, including help with complaints and discharges.

2-1-1 ↗ · 2-1-1
Local help with food, housing, utilities and other basic needs.

Benefits that can help pay

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Monthly payments for people 65+ with very limited income and savings. SSI often qualifies you for Medicaid automatically.
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗

Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help
Help paying Medicare premiums and prescription costs for people with limited income.
Official site ↗

VA Pension with Aid & Attendance
Extra monthly money for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities, including in assisted living.
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗ · Official site ↗

Social Security retirement
Check you are receiving everything you are owed before paying for care.
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗

See all Illinois benefits on BenefitSearch ↗

BenefitSearch.org is a free companion site that explains government benefits and links to official applications.