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Illinois Medicaid home care: Community Care Program and Home Services Program

Illinois pays for in-home care through two state programs: the Community Care Program for adults 60 and older, and the Home Services Program for adults under 60 with severe disabilities. Different departments run each.

Carevo editorial team Updated October 27, 2026 Source checked by Carevo editorial team, October 27, 2026

Illinois pays for in-home care through two state programs that split by age. The Community Care Program (CCP) is for adults 60 and older and is run by the Illinois Department on Aging. The Home Services Program is for adults under 60 with severe disabilities and is run by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

How care at home is paid for here

Medicaid.gov lists the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) as the state Medicaid agency. Two other departments run the in-home programs. That is why Illinois families often deal with more than one agency.

  • Department on Aging: Community Care Program, for people 60 and older.
  • Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS): Home Services Program, for people under 60 with severe disabilities.
  • Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD): programs for people with developmental disabilities, including Personal Support Workers.

The Department on Aging says people who meet CCP criteria and enroll receive services with no out-of-pocket cost. DHS says the same about people who meet Home Services Program criteria and enroll.

The Community Care Program

The Department on Aging says CCP, established in 1979 by Public Act 81-202, helps older adults who might otherwise need nursing home care remain in their homes. Its services include comprehensive care coordination, adult day service, in-home service, emergency home response and an automated medication dispenser.

Eligibility on the Department's page: you are 60 or older, a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen, an Illinois resident, have non-exempt assets under the Department's limit (home, car and personal furnishings are exempt; the limit is on the CCP page), have an assessed need for long-term care through the Determination of Need assessment, and apply for and, if eligible, enroll in Medicaid. Local organizations called Care Coordination Units (CCUs) coordinate services. The Senior HelpLine is 1-800-252-8966.

See Illinois Community Care Program for more detail.

The Home Services Program

DHS says the Home Services Program serves people with severe disabilities under age 60 who need help with daily living activities in their homes. The services include personal assistants, homemaker services, maintenance home health, electronic home response, home-delivered meals, adult day care, assistive equipment, environmental modification and respite. DHS says it also has specialized services for people with HIV/AIDS and traumatic brain injuries, and a program to help people in nursing homes move to the community.

Customers may hire their own personal assistants, based on the service plan they develop with their DRS rehabilitation counselor. Homemaker agencies may supply workers for people who need someone to supervise their assistant. For those 60 and over, DHS tells people to contact the Illinois Department on Aging. See Home Services Program in Illinois.

Developmental disabilities

The Department on Aging's in-home care page says DHS DDD operates programs for adults and children with a developmental disability. It describes Personal Support Workers (PSWs), who may be selected, employed and supervised by individual customers. A customer who hires a PSW directly must use a Financial Management System agency to help with employer duties. We have not read the DDD program pages, so ask an Independent Service Coordination agency for the rules.

Who can be the paid caregiver

The Department on Aging's In-Home Care page lists where family members and friends can be paid:

  • CCP: any family member (including a spouse), a Power of Attorney, representative payee, legal guardian, friend or neighbor must meet qualifications, pass a background check, complete 24 hours of pre-service training and be hired and supervised by an In-Home Services agency.
  • DHS DDD, PSW agency: a family member or friend must meet qualifications, pass background checks, complete approved pre-service training and be hired and supervised by a PSW agency.
  • DHS DRS Home Services Program: personal assistants are selected, employed and supervised by the customer. For homemaker services, a family member or friend must meet qualifications, pass a background check, complete pre-service training and be hired and supervised by a provider agency.

See paid family caregiver in Illinois.

How to apply

  1. Under 60? Use the DHS Rehabilitation Services web referral, or call the toll-free number on the DHS Home Services Program page, (800) 843-6154.
  2. 60 or older? Find your Care Coordination Unit using the Department on Aging's map tool, or call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966.
  3. Medicaid. CCP requires you to apply for and, if eligible, enroll in Medicaid. Medicaid.gov's state agency list gives the HFS contact details.

Questions to ask when you call

  • Am I 60 or older? If so, which Care Coordination Unit covers my address?
  • If I am under 60, has my Rehabilitation Services web referral been received, and which local office has it?
  • Which In-Home Service providers in my area hire family members?
  • Do I need to enroll in Medicaid first, and who helps with that application?
  • If I want to hire a personal assistant, who becomes my employer, me or an agency?

Terms you will see

  • CCU: Care Coordination Unit, the local organization that coordinates Community Care Program services.
  • DON: the Determination of Need assessment used to measure risk of nursing facility placement.
  • DRS: the Division of Rehabilitation Services at DHS.
  • PA: personal assistant, selected, employed and supervised by the customer in the Home Services Program.
  • PSW: Personal Support Worker, used by the Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Where Carevo fits

Carevo is a connection platform and directory. We do not run any Illinois program, assess eligibility or vouch for providers. The Department on Aging says clients of Home Services Agencies licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health pay out of pocket for care. The care-type links below show providers that serve your area.

Programs in Illinois

  • Community Care Program (CCP): The Community Care Program (CCP) helps Illinois adults 60 and older stay out of nursing homes with in-home service, adult day service and emergency response. It is run by the Department on Aging.
  • Home Services Program (HSP): The Home Services Program (HSP) helps Illinois adults under 60 with severe disabilities stay in their homes. Customers can hire their own personal assistants. The Department of Human Services runs it.

Find providers in Illinois

Looking for care?

Tell us your ZIP code and the type of care, and we will show providers that serve your area.

Common questions

Who runs Medicaid in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), according to Medicaid.gov. The in-home programs on this page are run by other departments: the Department on Aging for the Community Care Program and the Department of Human Services for the Home Services Program.

What is the Community Care Program?

The Department on Aging says the Community Care Program (CCP) helps older adults who might otherwise need nursing home care stay in their homes through in-home and community-based services. Services include care coordination, adult day service, in-home service, emergency home response and an automated medication dispenser.

Who is eligible for CCP?

The Department lists: 60 or older, a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, an Illinois resident, a non-exempt asset limit, an assessed need for long-term care measured by the Determination of Need assessment, and applying for and, if eligible, enrolling in Medicaid.

What is the Home Services Program?

A Department of Human Services program for people with severe disabilities under age 60 who need help with daily living activities in their homes. Customers can hire their own personal assistants, based on a service plan developed with a DRS rehabilitation counselor.

Can a family member be paid to give care?

Yes in some programs. Under CCP, an In-Home Service provider agency may hire any family member, including a spouse, who meets qualifications, passes a background check, completes 24 hours of pre-service training and agrees to be supervised. Under the Home Services Program, personal assistants are selected, employed and supervised by the customer.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. CCP is for people 60 and older. The Home Services Program serves people under 60, and the Department directs people 60 or older to the Department on Aging.

Where do I start?

For CCP, contact a Care Coordination Unit through the Department on Aging's map tool or call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966. For the Home Services Program, use the online Rehabilitation Services web referral or call the toll-free number on the DHS Home Services Program page.

Sources

Review status: Carevo checked this page against the primary sources listed above. It has not been professionally reviewed by a registered nurse, licensed social worker, benefits counselor or attorney. See our editorial standards.

This page is general information, not financial, legal or medical advice. Rules and services vary by state and by individual circumstances. Use the official sources and decision-maker named on the page. Carevo is a connection platform, not a care provider.