Senior Benefits Checklist · 2026
Cook CountyIllinois
52
programs in this county
17
categories of help
Sep 13, 2026
sources last verified
Start here: the free 5-minute check
No account, no Social Security number, no cost.
- 1Answer a few plain-English questions.
- 2See which programs fit you, with dollar estimates.
- 3Call your top match using the numbers on this sheet.
No smartphone? Type discoverseniorbenefits.com/scan into any web browser.
Scan with your phone camera
Worth checking first
Highest value · estimates per year
- 1
$30,000–$80,000/yr
- 2
$6,000–$40,000/yr
- 3
Cook County Health — CareLink Financial Assistance + CountyCare (Cook County)
312-864-6000cookcountyhealth.orgHealthcare
$500–$40,000/yr
- 4
VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)
1-800-827-1000va.govVeteran Benefits
$12,000–$34,488/yr
- 5
Illinois Medicaid — Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)
1-800-843-6154hfs.illinois.govHealthcare
$4,000–$30,000/yr
- 6
Illinois Community Care Program (CCP) — In-Home Services for Seniors 60+
1-800-252-8966ilaging.illinois.govHome Care
$3,000–$25,000/yr
Gather these before you call
- Photo ID
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Proof of income
- Bank statements
- Proof of address
- Medication list
- Insurance cards
More programs in Cook County
By category · 12 shown
Housing
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
$8,000–$20,000/yr1-800-955-2232
HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
$5,000–$15,000/yr1-800-955-2232
Income Support
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
$11,928–$17,892/yr1-800-772-1213
Employment
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
$15,000–$17,000/yr1-877-872-5627
Tax Relief
+2 more at the link
Utility Assistance
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
$3,000–$8,000/yr
$111–$411/yr1-800-234-9473
34 more programs are listed at discoverseniorbenefits.com/benefits/illinois/cook. The check on the front finds the ones that fit you.
Not sure where to begin? Call your Area Agency on Aging — free.
City of Chicago DFSS Senior Services (Chicago) + AgeOptions (suburban Cook County)