Skip to main content
Mary Killough, Acting Director Senior HelpLine: 1-800-252-8966 (711 TRS)

Benefit Access Program

The Benefit Access Program offers two benefits for seniors and persons with disabilities:
  • Seniors Ride Free Transit Benefit
  • Persons with Disabilities Ride Free Transit Benefit
  • Secretary of State License Plate Discount
Benefit Access Flyer

QUALIFICATIONS:


Age Requirements:

  • 65 years of age or older before January 1 of the current year; or
  • You must become 65 years of age this year; or
  • You must be 16 years of age or older before January 1 of the current year and qualify as disabled. 
     

Residency Requirements:

  • You must live in Illinois at the time you file your application.

Income Requirements:

Your total gross income for the last closed tax year must be less than

  • $33,562 for a 1 person household (yourself only); or
  • $44,533 for a 2 person household (yourself and your spouse, or yourself and one Qualified Additional Resident); or
  • $55,500 for a 3 person household (yourself, your spouse and one Qualified Additional Resident, or yourself and two Qualified Additional Residents).

NOTE: You must include your spouse’s income if married and living together on December 31 of last year. If your spouse died last year, you would file as single and claim only your income. Do NOT include the income of a Qualified Additional Resident.
 

Disability Requirements:

To qualify as disabled, you must be at least 16 years of age prior to January 1 of the current year and be determined totally and permanently disabled (as defined by program requirements) prior to January 1 of the current year.
 

*To be determined eligible for these benefits, you must submit a Benefit Access Application on the internet.  Paper applications are not available. 

Download the Benefit Access Program Flyer in English.
Additional languages available: Chinese (Simple, Traditional), Hindi, Polish, Russian and Spanish.

Apply Online

File your application on the Internet.

Once your application is approved you may print a certificate of eligibility to take to your local transit authority or Secretary of State's Office. Please wait 10 business days from the date of your approval for your license plate discount to be available. If you requested the ride free benefit, please contact your local public transit system for further information. Your local transit system may have additional requirements in order to obtain the free ride. You can check the Website at anytime to determine your application status.

NOTE: PROCESSING TIMES TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF YOUR BENEFITS ACCESS APPLICATION MAY TAKE UP TO EIGHT WEEKS DEPENDING UPON REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION. YOU MAY CHECK APPLICATION STATUS 48 HOURS FOLLOWING SUBMISSION.

How do I find out if my application has been approved?

Check the Website for the status of your application.

For information or help applying:

General Resources List