How to Get a Medical Card in Alton, Illinois

Illinois medical cards are available to help citizens who cannot afford health care. Although administered through Illinois's Department of Healthcare and Family Services, applications must be made through the Department of Human Services in East Alton. To be eligible for a medical card, you must be pregnant, have children under 19 years of age, be blind, disabled, or over 65 years old. Adults must meet certain financial requirements and be U.S. citizens. Applications can be made online or in person at the East Alton Department of Human Services office at 608 West Saint Louis Avenue.

Instructions

• 1

  Go to the Illinois Department of Human Services website (www.dhs.state.il.us). Click on "Apply for SNAP (food stamps), Medical and Cash Benefits" on the upper right side of the home page.

• 2

  Click on "Info about Applying Online." Gather the required documents needed to fill out your application. You must have proof of identity, such as a driver's license, and proof of address. You must provide Social Security numbers for all household members and document your monthly income as well as your housing and utility costs.

• 3

  Click on "Start My Application." Enter your email address and select a password. If you wish, select a security question and enter the answer. This will help you to retrieve your password if you forget it. Click "Create New Application." You will be given a "household ID" number. Write this down and keep it in a safe place. This will be needed if you must save your application and return to it at a later date.

• 4

  Select "Log On and Start My Application." Enter the household ID number that was given to you and the password you created in Step 3. Click "Submit."

• 5

  Enter your personal and address information into the application. Click "Next." Enter all applicants in your household, including children, including Social Security numbers (or the date a Social Security number was applied for) and birth dates. Click "Next."

• 6

  Enter income information, including any child support payments that are received by all members of the household. Click "Next." Enter the amount the household spends monthly on rent or house payments, utilities and household expenses. Click "Next."

• 7

  Enter your health insurance information, if applicable, and the premiums that are paid out. If you do not have health insurance, select "none." Click "Next."

• 8

  Review your application and make sure it has been filled out accurately. Click the box to "Acknowledge Your Rights and Responsibilities" and click "Submit."