Our Plan:
Outreach Solutions
A key reason why eligible households don’t connect with benefit programs is that our siloed benefits system makes it difficult to understand what programs are available and how to enroll.
At best, households have to visit multiple organizations and websites to get program information, requiring significant time and effort to get connected. At worst, program information is outdated, incomplete, or hard to find and neighbors simply give up.
Benefit Illinois wants to create a different experience for Illinois families. We envision a system where no matter where a household turns for help, they can learn about the full range of benefit programs available to them, and the information they receive is all in one place, accurate, and easy to navigate.
One-Stop Learning
Allow us to introduce Illinois Benefit Hub, a one-stop learning website where households can get quality information about dozens of benefit programs in one place. By centralizing information about public benefit programs, we are making it easier for households to find and connect to all of the supports they are eligible for.
We are excited to partner with MyFriendBen to provide a comprehensive eligibility screener as part of the Illinois Benefit Hub. In an average of 6.5 minutes, users receive a personalized report of the public benefits they are likely eligible for, including an estimate of how much in benefits they qualify for, how long it takes to apply, and where to apply or get help applying.
Other features of the Illinois Benefit Hub include:
Learn about programs
Find local navigators to get help applying for or renewing benefits
Learn about program changes, including how you’re impacted and what actions you need to take
Connect to other social service supports
In fall 2025, we piloted Illinois Benefit Hub and the MyFriendBen Illinois screener with community partners in Northern, Central, and Southern Illinois to gather user feedback and make site improvements. In early 2026, we conducted user testing on the Illinois Benefit Hub with low-income individuals. These tools are rolling out statewide in 2026.
No Wrong Door
We are working to build and support a statewide network of community organizations reaching every corner of the state to streamline how people learn about public benefit programs.
Community organizations are uniquely positioned to connect people to information about public benefits. Low-income households regularly visit their school, food pantry, doctor’s office, and other local agencies and see them as a trusted resource.
We believe that every community organization can play a part in helping people learn about benefits. Our tools that make it seamless to incorporate or expand benefits outreach into existing services, no matter how much capacity or experience the organization has.
Our tools help organizations can engage in one or multiple capacities:
Awareness: Receive resources like posters, flyers, web content, social media graphics, and outreach templates to raise awareness about the value of public benefits and connect clients to Illinois Benefit Hub to learn more.
Screening and Referral: Screen clients using our online eligibility tool and provide them with a personalized eligibility report, including information on where to apply or get help applying. Screening Partners receive training on how to use the tool and ways to integrate it into organizational operations.
Navigation: Benefit navigators can include their information in eligibility screener results to help eligible neighbors locate their services. The screener displays the organization’s contact info and the benefits you help people apply for.
Emerging Strategies
Benefit Illinois is continuing to work with organizations across Illinois to identify new partnerships and strategies to make it easier for people to connect to the benefits they are eligible for. Some of our emerging work includes:
Data Dashboard: Later in 2026 we will launch an online, interactive dashboard with data about public benefits program enrollment. Users will be able to explore how enrollment varies across programs, geographies, and populations to help inform planning, set goals, and track progress.
Outreach Materials: Our current outreach resources focus on helping people understand their eligibility and what steps to take. But understanding eligibility isn’t always enough to ensure enrollment. Some people have misconceptions about programs that keep them from applying. Others are enrolled but risk losing benefits because they aren’t aware of what steps they need to take to maintain them. Benefit Illinois will work with partners to build a library of outreach materials for different programs and populations.
Impact Testing: Benefit Illinois will conduct data testing to identify the most effective outreach messages to help people connect and stay connected to programs, as well as pilots to identify the most impactful messengers and strategies for engaging people.
Benefits Outreach Resource Center: We recently launched a resource center where community organizations can access outreach materials and trainings in one place. This resource center will be expanded as we build our library of tools, trainings, and best practices.
Want to Get Involved in Benefits Outreach?
Whether you’re just getting started or want to expand your benefits outreach efforts, Benefit Illinois works with you to support outreach activities that best meet your client needs and organizational capacity so you can focus on doing what you do best – helping our people.
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One Pager
Download a one-page overview of our outreach strategies that you can share with colleagues.
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Webinar
Join our Benefits Illinois 101 webinar to learn why community organizations are uniquely positioned to help families connect to benefits, ways you can get involved, and resources available to support you.
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Benefits Outreach Hub
Explore our resource center to access tools and trainings to help your organization start or expand benefits outreach into your existing workflows.
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Stay in Touch
Sign up to receive communications about new outreach resources, project updates, or opportunities to provide input or advocate.