If you or your family member is on Illinois Medicaid and needs a ramp, grab bars, or a widened doorway, one program pays for it: the Home Services Program (HSP). Illinois Medicaid is run by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). HSP itself is operated by the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-DRS), a division of the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). Age matters here more than in most states, so timing your application is part of the plan.
What Illinois offers#
DHS-DRS runs the Persons with Disabilities Waiver through HSP. HSP covers Environmental Modifications: structural changes inside or outside the home that support accessibility. The state's own examples include ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, and shower modifications. These changes must enhance independence, prevent an increase in care needs, reduce or eliminate another paid service, or protect health and safety.
Illinois also runs a separate waiver for older adults through the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA): the Persons who are Elderly Waiver, delivered under the Community Care Program (CCP). This is important to understand clearly. The CCP service list does not include home modifications. If you are 60 or older, CCP will not fund a ramp or bathroom accessibility work, even though it funds other in-home supports.
That gap is the single most important fact on this page. HSP requires applicants to be under 60 at the time they apply, with narrow exceptions for the AIDS and Brain Injury waivers. Once someone turns 60 and moves onto CCP instead, home modification funding through Illinois Medicaid is generally no longer available. Anyone approaching their 60th birthday who expects to need accessibility work should apply to HSP before that date, not after.
Amounts and eligibility#
HSP publishes a combined purchase limit for Environmental Accessibility Adaptations and Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies: $26,300 every three years. This is a shared cap across both categories, not a separate $26,300 for modifications alone. For any item or project over $5,000, DHS requires two competitive bids, and the lowest qualifying bid is selected. Verified against DHS program pages, July 2026.
Financial and functional eligibility for HSP requires that the applicant has applied for and cooperated with a Medicaid eligibility decision, or is already on Medicaid or a Medicaid spend-down. The applicant must have a significant disability expected to last at least 12 months. DHS also uses a functional assessment called the Determination of Need (DON) tool, and applicants must score at least 29 points overall, with at least 15 of those points in the "Need for Care" category.
CCP, the waiver for older adults, uses a different financial test: non-exempt assets of $17,500 or less. The home, one vehicle, and personal furnishings are excluded from that asset count. Remember that CCP eligibility does not open the door to modification funding, since modifications are not on its covered service list.
Only DHS or HFS decides eligibility. Nothing here guarantees approval.
How to apply in Illinois#
To apply for HSP, contact any DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services office, or submit the web referral form on dhs.state.il.us. A DRS counselor completes an in-home assessment using the DON tool to confirm functional eligibility and to help build the service plan that includes any modification request.
DHS pages do not publish a formal consumer waitlist for HSP. Eligibility is assessment-gated through the DON process rather than a fixed queue, so timelines vary by county and by how quickly documentation is gathered. Once modifications over $5,000 are approved, expect the two-bid process to add time before work can start.
If you are 60 or older, or supporting a parent who is, call the IDoA Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 for guidance on CCP and other aging services, even though CCP does not fund home modifications directly. Local Area Agencies on Aging, reachable through ilaging.illinois.gov, can also help with broader planning. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) is a fallback for anyone unsure where to start.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check VA housing grants alongside Illinois Medicaid. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) can fund larger projects and may stack with HSP-funded work. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but this is plan-specific with no standard amount. Call your plan to ask what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled HSP paperwork or the two-bid process. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for pros who have done this before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does Illinois Medicaid pay for home modifications like ramps or shower changes?#
Yes, through the Home Services Program. HSP covers Environmental Modifications, including ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, and shower modifications, up to a combined $26,300 every three years shared with medical equipment purchases.
Can seniors over 60 get home modifications through Illinois Medicaid?#
Generally no. The Persons who are Elderly Waiver, delivered through the Community Care Program, does not include home modifications on its covered service list. HSP, which does cover modifications, requires applicants to be under 60 when they apply.
How much will the Illinois Home Services Program pay toward modifications?#
HSP publishes a combined purchase limit of $26,300 every three years for Environmental Accessibility Adaptations and Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies together. Projects over $5,000 require two competitive bids, with the lowest bid selected.
How do I apply for the Home Services Program in Illinois?#
Contact any DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services office or submit the web referral at dhs.state.il.us. A counselor will complete an in-home assessment using the Determination of Need tool to confirm eligibility and build your service plan.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers by state and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide and accessible bathroom remodel cost guide can help you budget while your application moves forward.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.