Benefit Access Program

The State of Illinois has replaced the old Circuit Breaker program with a new plan called the Benefit Access Program. The benefits now available are:

• Seniors Free Transit Ride and Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride
• Secretary of State License Plate Discount

The qualifications are just like Circuit Breaker used to be. To qualify you must:

• Be 65 or older by Dec. 31 of the current year or be 16 or older and totally disabled
• Be a resident of IL when you file the application
• Have 2012 income less than
  • $28,079  for a 1 person household
  • $37,258  for a 2 person household

One nice feature is that you only have to apply once every 2 years. If you file in 2013, you won’t need to file again until 2015. Call your Boone County Council on Aging Outreach Counselor at (815) 544-9893 for all of the details.