Obtaining State Funded Support Services

Illinois funds a variety of residential options for persons with developmental disabilities. Currently, access is  limited for individuals who require state support to live in any of these settings. While privately paid opportunities do exist, depending upon the level of behavioral, social, medical, daily living and other support services required, the individual costs can easily exceed $40,000 per year.

There is a basic expense for all of us to live somewhere, regardless of whether we have a disability or not. For someone living in a residential program, costs for food, utilities, rent, clothing, personal needs etc., are generally paid for through social security disability and other personal incomes.

However, due to the disability, additional support is necessary in order live as independently as possible. Support services range from periodic daily visits for help with on-going needs, to 24 hour-a-day, 7 days per week, personal care support, general supervision and other necessary clinical services. 

At the highest level of support, using the current minimum wage, annual 24/7 staff costs would exceed $45,000, not including taxes and any benefit costs. Considering that no one works for minimum wage anymore, this would be a conservative estimate.

The average individual or his/her family does not have the ability to pay for the cost of these support services. This is where government funding has been a benefit to those families in need. Through these subsidies, individuals have been able to access high quality services at an affordable cost.

The State of Illinois has established a process for individuals/families to obtain these needed services.  You can click on the link below to obtain information and to begin the state application procedure.

Applying for State Funded Programs