How do you qualify for assisted living in Illinois?

Oct 29, 2025 5 min read •

senior care assisted living Illinois

According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Supportive Living Program (SLP) provides a Medicaid-funded alternative to nursing home placement for eligible residents. This program is a critical component in understanding how do you qualify for assisted living in Illinois, as requirements vary for private pay and state-subsidized options.

Quick Summary

Qualifying for assisted living in Illinois involves meeting specific age, health, and financial criteria. Eligibility depends on whether you are seeking private-pay residency or state assistance through the Supportive Living Program (SLP), which covers certain services for residents who meet Medicaid's financial and functional standards.

Key Points

Differentiate between pathways: Illinois offers private-pay assisted living and the Medicaid-funded Supportive Living Program (SLP), each with distinct qualifications.
Secure a physician's assessment: All applicants must get a comprehensive physical, cognitive, and psychosocial assessment from a physician within 120 days of admission.
Meet functional criteria: Assisted living is for those who need help with daily activities but do not require intensive, total assistance with multiple ADLs.
Understand health limitations: Facilities have exclusionary health criteria, barring those who need complex nursing care, such as specific IV therapies or complex wound care.
Check SLP financial requirements: For state-funded services, applicants must meet Medicaid's income and asset limits and be assessed as needing a nursing facility level of care.
Know the admission process: The process involves a physician's assessment, a facility-specific evaluation, and, for Medicaid, a pre-admission screening by a state-designated agency.
Be aware of payment differences: The SLP covers most services but not room and board, while private-pay covers everything and is significantly more expensive.

What are the main paths to qualify for assisted living in Illinois?

In Illinois, there are two primary pathways to assisted living, each with its own set of qualifications: private pay and the state-sponsored Supportive Living Program (SLP). Most assisted living facilities (ALFs) are private, single-occupancy apartment units. A significant distinction is that most private ALFs and Shared Housing Establishments (SHEs) do not accept Medicaid for housing costs, while SLP facilities are specifically designed for Medicaid recipients. The right path for you depends on your financial resources and health needs.

Functional and medical qualifications

Whether paying privately or through the SLP, all residents must undergo a comprehensive health assessment before admission. This assessment is completed by a physician and must be updated annually or if there's a significant change in the resident's condition. The evaluation covers your physical, cognitive, and psychosocial condition to ensure the facility can meet your needs. The required level of care is a major factor in qualification.

General health requirements

Activities of daily living (ADLs): Assisted living is designed for individuals who need assistance with ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and personal hygiene.
Physician's assessment: A doctor's comprehensive assessment is required no more than 120 days before moving in.
Tuberculosis (TB) screening: Applicants must provide documentation showing the absence of active TB.

Exclusionary health criteria

Assisted living facilities in Illinois cannot accept residents who require a higher level of care than the facility can provide. This includes individuals who require:

Total assistance with two or more ADLs.
More than minimal assistance moving to a safe area during an emergency.
Intravenous therapy, gastronomy feedings, or complex wound care (Stage III or IV decubitus ulcers) unless self-administered or administered by an independent licensed professional.
Five or more skilled nursing visits per week for three or more consecutive weeks, unless for temporary rehabilitation.
A severe mental illness that creates a risk to themselves or others, although hospice care is an exception for terminally ill individuals.

Financial qualifications

Financial requirements differ dramatically between private-pay and SLP residency. Private-pay assisted living costs in Illinois can range from approximately $4,600 to over $7,600 per month, depending on location and services. For state-subsidized options, the Illinois Supportive Living Program (SLP) has specific income and resource limits, which are tied to Medicaid eligibility.

Supportive Living Program (SLP) qualifications

Income requirements: To qualify for SLP services, your income must be at least the current Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rate. As of early 2025, Medicaid-eligible residents contribute all but $120 of their monthly income toward the cost of lodging, meals, and services, retaining $120 as a personal needs allowance.
Asset limits: In 2024, the asset limit for a single applicant was $17,500. For a married couple where only one spouse applies, the non-applicant spouse can keep a higher amount.
Medicaid waiver eligibility: Applicants must be screened and found to be in need of a nursing facility level of care but choose to receive that care in an assisted living setting.

What is the process for qualification and admission?

The qualification process for assisted living in Illinois is a multi-step procedure that involves assessments and applications. For those pursuing the Supportive Living Program, additional screening is required.

Initial physician's assessment: As noted, a doctor must complete a comprehensive assessment within 120 days before moving in.
Facility selection and internal assessment: Once you choose a facility, staff will perform an internal assessment to create a personalized service plan. This plan details the level of care and services you will receive.
Supportive Living Program (SLP) screening: If you are seeking Medicaid funding, you must be screened by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) or a designated screening agency. This "Determination of Need" confirms that you require a nursing home level of care but can be appropriately served in an assisted living environment.
Contract agreement: You or your representative will review and sign a contract with the facility. This agreement outlines the services provided, associated costs, and resident rights.
Move-in: After all assessments and documentation are finalized, you can move into the facility.

Supportive Living Program (SLP) vs. private assisted living

Here's a comparison to clarify the key differences between the Supportive Living Program (SLP) and private-pay assisted living.


Feature	Supportive Living Program (SLP)	Private Assisted Living
Funding	Primarily covered by Medicaid for services, with resident responsible for room and board.	Resident pays all costs out-of-pocket, through long-term care insurance, or other private means.
Financial Eligibility	Strict income and asset limits apply, tying into Medicaid eligibility.	No state financial limits. The ability to afford monthly costs is the primary factor.
Care Level	Requires a "nursing facility level of care" but can be served in an assisted living setting.	Residents must need assistance with ADLs but not a level of care exceeding what the facility can provide.
Housing Structure	Apartment-style housing with specific requirements regarding kitchens and bathrooms.	Typically private, lockable apartments with full bathrooms.
Available Services	Includes personal care, meals, medication oversight, social activities, housekeeping, and 24-hour staff.	Offers similar services, but the exact package and inclusions vary significantly by facility.

Conclusion

Qualifying for assisted living in Illinois hinges on your specific care needs and financial situation. For those who can afford private pay, the process is focused on a medical assessment and the facility's ability to meet your needs. For those with limited resources, the Illinois Supportive Living Program (SLP) offers a Medicaid-funded alternative, provided you meet specific age, health, and income criteria. By understanding the distinction between these two pathways and completing the required assessments, you can confidently navigate the process of finding the right assisted living option in Illinois.

Additional resources

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: To learn more about the Supportive Living Program and find a list of participating facilities, visit the official HFS website. https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/hcbs/slf.html.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Eligibility requirements and costs are subject to change. For personalized advice, consult with a qualified professional or the appropriate state agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Supportive Living Program is Illinois' Medicaid waiver that provides financial assistance for supportive services in assisted living settings for eligible residents who need a nursing facility level of care. It covers services like personal care and meals but not the room and board costs.

For private-pay assisted living, there is no official income limit, but you must be able to afford the facility's monthly fees, which vary widely. For the Supportive Living Program (SLP), you must meet Medicaid income and asset limits.

Yes, but only through the Supportive Living Program (SLP). Medicaid covers the supportive services provided in SLP-certified facilities, not the rent or room and board portion. Most standard assisted living facilities (ALFs) are not Medicaid-certified for room and board.

You could be disqualified if you require a level of care beyond what an assisted living facility can provide, such as total assistance with multiple ADLs, complex medical treatments like IV therapy, or extensive skilled nursing visits.

For private assisted living and shared housing establishments, residents must be adults, and at least 80% must be 55 years of age or older. For the Supportive Living Program, applicants must be either 65 or older, or between 22 and 64 with a physical disability as determined by the Social Security Administration.

Yes, a comprehensive assessment by a physician is required for all new residents within 120 days of admission. This assessment evaluates a person's physical, cognitive, and psychosocial condition.

The main difference is funding and certification. Assisted Living Establishments are for private-pay residents, while Supportive Living Facilities (SLFs) are specifically certified by the state's Medicaid program to provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries through the Supportive Living Program.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.