Community Services

Community Services

The office has two Certified Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors who are available by appointment to assist you with your Medicare D, BEAM (State of Illinois license discount application), Low Income Subsidy application, Medicare Savings Plan application, and various other issues you may be experiencing with your health system.

General Assistance

General Assistance is a county issued welfare that is provided to eligible Menard County residents. In order to qualify, individuals must be single or married with no children, and meet income and asset eligibility guidelines. Individuals apply by completing an application and providing substantiating documentation. Upon receipt of a completed application, a Notice of Decision is mailed to the applicant within 30 days. Once eligibility is established and necessary paperwork is completed, basic needs are provided for through a voucher system. Basic needs consist of food, shelter, gas, electric, LP, water, clothing, cleaning, and personal care items. Benefits may include pre-approved medical care or emergency care that is reimbursed at the Illinois Department of Public Aid rates.

Each work capable individual is given an assignment which consists of a monthly mandatory work search where a job search must be documented. Individuals are exempted from this only if they have submitted an application to the Social Security Administration for the purpose of disability determination.

The maximum monthly benefit for a General Assistance recipient has been set at $200.00. Eligibility must be re-established monthly in the form of a regular appointment wherein regular disbursement vouchers may be given out.

Senior Transportation

Transportation was established in 1979 and is for residents of the county who are 60 years of age and older. Funding is received through the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland, Inc., Menard County United Fund, and rider donations.

Currently, transportation is available on a regular schedule five days per week and by special appointment on weekends as drivers are available.

Our Medical Transport schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday - The Medical Van is available for Springfield appointments by 9:00 a.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday - The Medical Van is available for Petersburg or Springfield appointments at 9:00 a.m.

Appointments may be made by calling our offices at 632-4412 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Wednesdays have been designated as the "Shopping Day." Based on demand and funding, we reserve the right to limit the amount of time allotted for each transport. Reservations for pick-up may be made by also calling the office at 632-4412. Our driver will provide transportation for your grocery shopping, banking, hair appointments, post office visits, etc.

Each trip will have a suggested donation. Please feel free to ask our driver for this amount. Our drivers are First Aid and CPR trained. We currently have an inventory of three vans of which two are capable of transporting one and two wheelchair passengers, respectively.