Illinois Benefit Hub is managed by Benefit Illinois. Benefit Illinois works to connect more eligible people to the public benefit programs they qualify for so all Illinois families and communities have the resources they need to thrive.

Illinois Benefit Hub was piloted with community organizations across Illinois and designed with input from families participating in public benefit programs.

The MyFriendBen eligibility screener was created by a nonprofit foundation called Gary Community Ventures to help low-income households know what benefits they are eligible for. It was co-designed with a group of families participating in a direct cash assistance program.

Originally launched in Colorado, MyFriendBen now operates in six states. Benefit Illinois worked with MyFriendBen to bring the screener to Illinois through the Illinois Benefit Hub.

Benefit programs typically have separate applications and are run by different government agencies or organizations. MyFriendBen is unable to combine these applications into the eligibility screener, but we can tell you where to apply or get help applying in your community.

We take data privacy seriously, and we only work with partners who do the same.

The MyFriendBen eligibility screener does not require users to share information that would identify who they are:

• The screener is anonymous by default.

• The screener does not ask about or store information about immigration status.

• MyFriendBen will never sell your information.

• You can share your contact information with MyFriendBen to receive notifications of program updates or new benefits, but that is optional.

Learn more about the MyFriendBen eligibility screener privacy policy and information collected.

Using the MyFriendBen screener is anonymous. Completing the eligibility screener does not constitute a public benefits application and does not impact your immigration status or your application for a green card or visa.

Before applying for benefits, talk to a trusted source to make sure you understand the latest policy and how applying for benefits may impact your immigration status or application for a green card or visa.

You can get up-to-date information from Protecting Immigrant Families Illinois or the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights also maintains a list of organizations around the state that provide comprehensive public benefits assistance for those who face language and cultural barriers in accessing public benefits.

MyFriendBen works to ensure that information in the eligibility screener is accurate and up-to-date. They aim to update the eligibility screener about every two days because program details like eligibility criteria or benefit value may change rapidly.