93.324 – State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Base Grant Year 2
🏛 Illinois Department on Aging
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Oct 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a federal program administered through state agencies. Eligible applicants are typically state units on aging or designated state agencies that serve seniors. The program provides funding to educate and counsel Medicare beneficiaries on health insurance options. Activities include counseling on Medicare, supplemental insurance, long-term care, and filing claims. Geographic scope is limited to Illinois, where the administering agency operates.
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Program description
FFY2025 State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Basic Grant Year 2 of 5-year grant for the Illinois Department on Aging, Senior Health Insurance Program. SHIP was created in Section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508, 104 Stat. 1388). The text of the provision is available at the link below. The title of the section is, “HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE GRANTS.” https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/comp2/F101-508.html Federal Assistance Listing: 93.324. Administered by the Illinois Department on Aging via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 402-06-3699).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Federal Assistance Listing documentation (93.324)
- Program narrative or project description
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational documentation (501(c)(3) or state agency status)
- Evaluation plan with performance metrics
Program contact
- 👤 Sandy Leith
- 📧 Sandy.Leith@illinois.gov
- 📞 217-900-0004
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.324 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$20,340,187
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$14,360,559
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$13,851,852
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$11,995,565
-
$8,796,790
-
$8,590,152
-
$8,223,360
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$7,949,230
-
$7,841,459
-
$7,681,631
Top States by Funding
- CA 2 awards $28.6M
- FL 2 awards $20.5M
- TX 2 awards $19.8M
- NC 3 awards $18.0M
- NY 2 awards $16.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Typically the designated state unit on aging or health insurance program operated by the state. Contact your state health insurance assistance program coordinator.
What is the funding amount?
This is a continuation grant. Total funding pool is $575,000 for the program year. Individual award amounts vary by state allocation.
What activities are supported?
Counseling on Medicare, supplemental insurance, prescription drug coverage, and health insurance enrollment assistance. Staff training and outreach to seniors are included.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is October 22, 2026. Check the Illinois Department on Aging website for any updates or extensions.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing or matching funds are required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify your organization is authorized to receive SHIP funding from the Illinois Department on Aging before preparing an application.
- Document how your program will reach underserved seniors in rural or low-income communities.
- Show strong evaluation methods and track record of providing counseling to Medicare beneficiaries.
- Align your budget to cover counselor salaries, training, materials, and outreach activities.
- Build partnerships with Area Agencies on Aging and community health centers to expand reach.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Insufficient outreach plan for reaching eligible seniors. Weak evaluation metrics or failure to track counseling outcomes. Inadequate staffing or counselor training budget.
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