Illinois Home Services Program (HSP)
Illinois' Home Services Program provides personal assistant services to help individuals with disabilities and seniors live independently at home, with options for family members to serve as paid personal assistants.
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(800) 555-0001How the Illinois Home Services Program (HSP) Works
Illinois HSP operates through the Department of Human Services - Division of Rehabilitation Services. After an assessment determines your eligibility and care needs, you can choose to direct your own services.
Under the self-directed option, you hire your own personal assistants, including qualified family members. Your PA becomes your employee, with a fiscal intermediary handling payroll and employment paperwork.
Illinois' large population and diverse communities mean robust infrastructure for program support, with offices and resources available throughout the state.
Who Qualifies in Illinois?
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be enrolled in Illinois Medicaid
- Must be age 60+ or have a disability
- Must require assistance with Activities of Daily Living
- Must be determined to need nursing facility level of care
- Illinois residents only
Who Can Be a Caregiver?
- Adult children
- Siblings & relatives
- Trusted friends
- Spouses (varies by program)
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois's Program
HSP is Illinois' primary program for providing personal assistant services to people with disabilities and seniors. It allows you to hire personal assistants, including family members, to help with daily activities so you can live independently at home.
If you're an adult with a disability, you may be able to hire a parent as your personal assistant in Illinois. Adult children, siblings, and other family members are also generally eligible to serve as paid PAs. Spouse eligibility has certain restrictions.
Hours are determined through a Determination of Need (DON) assessment conducted by a qualified assessor. The assessment evaluates your functional limitations and calculates how many hours of PA services you need to safely remain at home.
A fiscal intermediary is an organization that handles the employment paperwork for your personal assistants. They process timesheets, issue paychecks, withhold taxes, and manage workers' compensation — allowing you to focus on directing your care.
Illinois HSP serves both populations with similar structures. Seniors (60+) and adults with disabilities can both access personal assistant services and hire family members as caregivers. Specific eligibility criteria and programs may vary slightly based on age and circumstances.
Ready to Get Started in Illinois?
Check your eligibility for the Illinois Home Services Program (HSP) today.
Call (800) 555-0001