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CFBU: Connecting Families to Medicaid and SNAP

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, families will again need to renew their Medicaid benefits starting June of 2023. Everybody’s renewal date is different, so it is critical that you get ready to renew.

The first step in this process is to ensure that your contact information in the state’s database is up-to-date. (If you’re unsure if your information is up-to-date, please access your account at abe.illinois.gov or contact CPS by calling the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or filling out an assistance request form).

In the current stage of this process, the State of Illinois will mail out physical renewal forms starting in May. Please make sure to regularly check your mailbox for your renewal form during this time. You can also find your renewal form by selecting “Manage My Case” on abe.illinois.gov. 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.

The envelope will look like this:

Medicaid Envelope

Questions? If you need help, have any questions, or you are currently not receiving Medicaid benefits and think you are eligible, call the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out an assistance request form and we will be happy to help you.

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