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CFBU: Connecting Families to Medicaid and SNAP

Is your family enrolled in Medicaid? The State of Illinois is mailing out Medicaid renewal Fill out your form as soon as possible, and use this page to get support, and ask any questions you have. Learn more

The Children and Family Benefits Unit (CFBU) provides families with social services support, including Medicaid and SNAP enrollment and utilization. CFBU can connect you to free and low-cost food, healthcare, and emergency resources to keep your family healthy and safe.

Renewing Your Medicaid Benefits

The federal government has ended the COVID-19 public health emergency effective May 11, 2023. During the public health emergency, families receiving Medicaid were automatically re-enrolled in the program. But now that the public health emergency has ended, all families who receive Medicaid benefits must renew them annually. If you receive Medicaid coverage, please follow the steps below to ensure you remain enrolled in this program. Please keep in mind that Medicaid renewal dates vary by individual.

For Assistance

If you need assistance with Medicaid renewal, you can call the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out an assistance request form, and a coordinator from the CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness will be happy to assist you.

Renewal by Mail

The State of Illinois is currently mailing renewal forms on a rolling basis. The envelope will look like this:

Medicaid Envelope

Once you receive your renewal form, please fill it out and send it back as soon as possible to ensure that your family does not lose Medicaid coverage.

  • If you have already completed your renewal form, you do not need to take any further action.
  • If you have received your renewal form but have not yet completed it, please complete it as soon as possible and mail it back to ensure you do not lose coverage.
  • If you have not received your renewal form yet, check your mailbox regularly for the envelope. You can also check your renewal date online at abe.illinois.gov or over the phone 1-855-828-4995 to anticipate when the envelope will arrive. You can also renew benefits online or over the phone.

If you need assistance with this step, you can call the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out an assistance request form, and a coordinator from the CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness will be happy to assist you.

Online Renewal

To make sure your mailing address is up-to-date, check your renewal date, or complete your renewal online:

  1. Visit abe.illinois.gov.
  2. Click “Manage My Case” to log in to your account.
  3. To verify and update your mailing address, Click “Contact Information.” You can also use the Report Medicaid Change of Address Form to update your address.
  4. To check your renewal date online, click “Benefits Details” to find your renewal date.


  5. If your renewal is due, you will see a “Renew My Benefits” button. If you would like to renew your coverage online, click on “Renew My Benefits” and complete your renewal.


Phone Renewal

Call the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for assistance with your Medicaid renewal:

  • To check your renewal date over the phone, call 1-855-828-4995.
  • To make sure your mailing address is up-to-date, or complete your renewal over the phone, call 1-800-843-6154.

Interested in Learning More about Medicaid Benefits?

Medicaid is a federal program that provides comprehensive healthcare services including a 24/7 nurse line, doctor services, hearing services, lab tests, x-rays, prescriptions, transportation, health risk screening, behavioral health services, eye care services, home health care, hospital services, medical supplies, therapy, and COVID-19 testing. More information about Medicaid can be found at cps.edu/medicaid.

If your family does not currently receive Medicaid benefits and you believe you are eligible, please call the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out an assistance request form to discuss enrollment with a coordinator from the CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness.

If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to get health coverage through your employer or through the official Affordable Care Act marketplace for Illinois, GetCoveredIllinois.gov.

Enroll

Enroll Medicaid icon CPS can help you and your family enroll in the following public benefits programs. For more information, call the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out an assistance request form.

Medicaid

Medbag icon Medicaid provides comprehensive healthcare services including a 24/7 nurse line, doctor services, hearing services, lab tests, x-rays, prescriptions, transportation, health risk screening, behavioral health services, eye care services, home health care, hospital services, medical supplies, therapy, and COVID-19 testing.

SNAP

SNAP icon Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food.

TANF

TANF icon The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides grant funds to states and territories to provide families with financial assistance and related support services. State-administered programs may include child care assistance, job preparation, and work assistance.

Engage

CPS families enrolled in Medicaid may also need to enroll in a Medicaid plan and should choose a primary healthcare provider that meets their needs. Reach out to your Children and Family Benefits Coordinator or call the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) for assistance. Medicaid Health plans include:

  • Blue Cross Community Health Plans
  • County Care Health Plan
  • Meridian Health
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Aetna

Utilize

Once enrolled in Medicaid, CPS families have access to a universe of benefits to support their health and wellness. Completing the health risk screening is essential to accessing health care services tailored to your needs and goals. Benefits include:

  • 24/7 Nurse Line
  • Behavioral Health Services
  • Lab Tests
  • Hospital Services
  • Doctor Services
  • Eye Care Services
  • Prescriptions
  • Medical Supplies
  • Hearing Services
  • Home Health Care
  • Transportation
  • X-Rays
  • Health Risk Screening
  • Covid-19 Testing
  • Therapy

For more information, call the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out an assistance request form. To connect with your Network's Children and Family Benefit's Coordinator, view their contact information.

Request SNAP and Medicaid assistance at 773-553-KIDS

Student Health and Wellness

773-553-KIDS (5437)

oshw@cps.edu

42 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60602