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The concept of Area Agency on Aging (AAAs) is a national program. The state of Illinois has thirteen agencies serving the state. Three of these agencies serve Chicago and the neighboring suburbs.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have the primary task of planning and coordinating services and programs for older people in their respective regions. AAAs also serve as advocates for the needs and interests of older persons to legislators and others. AAAs are not, as a rule, direct service providers. AAAs may contract with local agencies for service delivery. In the city of Chicago and neighboring suburbs there are three Area Agencies on Aging that can provide information on programs to help seniors. Here is a brief synopsis of several programs that benefit seniors.
Circuit Breaker/ Pharmaceutical Assistance Program:
You may qualify if...
- You are an Illinois resident who...
- Had a disability: or
- Is age 65 or older: or
- Is a widow or widower age 63 or 64
- And you have a total income of less than $21,218 a year for single or $28,480 or less and are married.
These programs cover prescriptions for:
- Alzheimer's-Arthritis-Cancer-Diabetes-Glaucoma-
- Heart & blood pressure problems-Lung and smoking illness-
- Osteoporosis - Parkinson's disease- Multiple Sclerosis
How these programs work:
- Fill out application and send to Illinois Department of Aging
- Applications are available at Suburban Area Agency on Aging
- Phone 1-800-699-9043 for more information
- $25 fee to apply
- $3 co-payment per generic medication and cost difference for brand
- After you reach a $2,000 annual cap, you must pay 20% of the costs for the remainder of the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30)
Illinois SeniorCare:
You may qualify if....
- You are an Illinois resident who is age 65 or older and
- You have a total income of....
- No more than $18,620 a year and you are single: or
- No more than $24,480, if married.
These programs cover most prescription drugs and some over-the counter drugs if a doctor prescribes them. Some of the items covered are:
- Analgesics
- Stool softeners
- Laxatives
- Antacids
- Smoking cessation aids
Costs?
- No fee to apply
- After you reach a $1,750 cap per person
- $1 for generics $4 for brand names
How do these programs work?
Fill out an application and send it to Illinois Department of Aging. You can get application from the Suburban Area Agency on Aging. Call the local area agency on aging in your area -see the bottom of this page for contact information. Please make sure that you contact the office that provides service for where you live. Once approved, you will get a card that you take to your local pharmacy.
Other State and Federal Discount Cards and Programs you may qualify for are:
- Illinois Rx Buying Club- State run program for ages 65 and over or have a disability; Cost $25 to apply; average savings 10-20%; Call 1-888-215-3462
- Medicare Approved Drug Discount Card- Must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and or Part B; Cost $0 to $30 to apply; average savings 10-20%; call 1-800-Medicare or www.Medicare.Gov
- Veteran's Administration- Veterans may be eligible to get medications for $7 per prescription per month; Must be seen by VA doctor once per year; Call 877-222-8387
Contact Your Local Area Agency on Aging for more information. Please be sure to contact the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that serves your area:
Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
Serving: DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will Counties
Mailing address: P.O. Box 809, Kankakee, IL 60901-0809
Field Office: 245 W. Roosevelt Road - Building 6, Suites 41-43, West Chicago, IL 60185
1-800-528-2000 (Calls will be directed to proper source.)
630-293-5990
Fax: 630-293-7488
Web: www.ageguide.org
Chicago Department on Aging
Serving: City of Chicago
Mailing Address: 30 N. LaSalle, Suite 2320, Chicago, IL 60602-2586
312-744-4016 or 312-744-6777 (TTY)
Fax: 312-744-0680
Web: www.cityofchicago.org/Aging/
Suburban Area Agency on Aging
Serving: Suburban Cook County
Mailing Address: 1048 Lake Street, Suite 300, Oak Park, IL 60301
1-800-699-9043 (Suburban Cook County area only.) or 708-383-0258
708-524-1653 (TTY)
Fax: 708-524-0870
Web: www.suburban-age.org