Elder Law News

Aging Budget Increased To Help Seniors Remain Independent

 ROCKFORD, Illinois – Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) Director Charles D. Johnson today continued a series of statewide sessions at Help at Home in Rockford to educate seniors about how the increase in the state's budget will help ensure they are able to age in the comforts of their own homes.

This year, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich provided nearly $60 million in additional state funding to create new programs and expand existing ones.  “Governor Blagojevich is committed to providing older Illinoisans with new programs and services, as well making existing ones even better to improve the quality of life for older persons as well as making sure that members of our greatest generation are not forced to give up their homes to live in a nursing home," Director Johnson said.

In his State of the State Address earlier this year, the Governor promised to expand on his many efforts to re-balance Illinois' long-term health care system and provide increased funding to help older persons remain independent in their own homes.  In the FY 2007 budget, which went into effect July 1, 2006, Governor Blagojevich invested an additional $59.5 million in state money that will allow Illinois’ older persons to age in the comforts of their own homes and avoid being placed in a nursing home.  Read more at illinois.gov

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	Did You Know?
	Medicaid does not provide medical assistance for all poor persons. Even under the broadest provisions of the Federal statute (except for emergency services for certain persons), the Medicaid program does not provide health care services, even for very poor persons, unless they are in one of the designated eligibility groups. Low income is only one test for Medicaid eligibility; assets and resources are also tested against established thresholds.