Illinois Disabled State ID Application Process

Walking Through the Process...

Step 1- Gather Documentation

There are a few different types of state IDs that an individual can obtain, and this guide will mainly cover Disabled State IDs.   

Any state-issued ID can provide identification when accessing benefits (like guardianship), disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (like SSI), registering for college classes or other training, opening bank accounts, and whenever communicating with or receiving assistance from emergency personnel, such as paramedics, fire, and police.   

While a regular state ID provides all the same basic type of information that a disabled ID includes, a disabled ID is identifiable by the ‘Type: Disabled’ marking.  

When considering which ID would be most appropriate for the individual, consider that a disabled ID can serve as communication to whomever views the ID (and understands the marking) that the individual is a disabled person.  While the individual would need to both carry and provide the ID to someone, a ‘disabled’ label could serve as helpful information for others as they assist or support the individual.  

A physician must complete a form, found HERE.   It may be best to have a physician familiar with the individual and their needs complete the form.  The physician will indicate the Type of disability (physical, developmental, visual, hearing, or mental) and a Classification, or the level of impairment (whether the disability impacts their activities of daily living and their mobility, specifically being able to travel 200 feet or more).  There is also a Priority number, with 1 being the lowest priority, indicating either the disability Type does not apply to the individual or impacts the individual the least, and 5 being the highest priority, or the disability Type impacts the individual the most.  

Types of Disabilities 

Type One:  Physical (P) A physical disability is a physical impairment, disease, or loss, which is of a permanent nature, and which substantially limits physical ability or motor skills. 

Type Two:  Developmental (D) Developmental disability means a disability that is attributable to: (i) an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or autism or (ii) any other condition that results in impairment similar to that caused by an intellectual disability and requires services similar to those required by persons with intellectual disabilities. Such a disability must originate before the age of 18 years, be expected to continue indefinitely, and constitute a substantial handicap. 

Type Three:  Visual (V) A visual disability is blindness, and the term “blindness” means central vision acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye that is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered as having a central vision acuity of 20/200 or less. 

Type Four:  Hearing (H) A hearing disability is a disability resulting in complete absence of hearing, or hearing that with sound enhancing or magnifying equipment is so impaired as to require the use of sensory input other than hearing as the principal means of receiving spoken language. 

Type Five:  Mental (M) A mental disability is a significant impairment of an individual’s cognitive, affective, or relational abilities that may require intervention and may be a recognized, medically diagnosable illness or disorder.  

Classifications of Disabilities 

Class 1: A Class 1 disability is any type of disability which does not render a person unable to engage in any substantially gainful activity, or which does not impair the person’s ability to live independently or to perform labor or services for which he/she is qualified. 

Class 1a: A Class 1a disability is a Class 1 disability which renders a person unable to walk 200 feet or more unassisted by another person or without the aid of a walker, crutches, braces, prosthetic device or a wheelchair, or without great difficulty or discomfort due to the following impairments: neurologic, orthopedic, oncological, respiratory, cardiac, arthritic disorder, blindness, or the loss of function or absence of a limb or limbs. 

Class 2: A Class 2 disability is any type of disability which renders a person unable to engage in any substantially gainful activity, or which substantially impairs the person’s ability to live independently without supervision or in-home support services, or which substantially impairs the person’s ability to perform labor or services for which he/she is qualified or significantly restricts the labor or services which he/she is able to perform. 

Class 2a: A Class 2a disability is a Class 2 disability which renders a person unable to walk 200 feet or more unassisted by another person or without the aid of a walker, crutches, braces, prosthetic device or a wheelchair, or without great difficulty or discomfort due to the following impairments: neurologic, orthopedic, oncological, respiratory, cardiac, arthritic disorder, blindness, or the loss of function or absence of a limb or limbs. 

Since eligibility for a disabled ID is dependent on the physician’s medical professional opinion AND that they complete the form correctly, identifying the disability and how it impacts the individual, the form is quite important. 

This form does not have clear instructions for how the physician should complete it and if the application form is completed incorrectly, then the DMV clerk can only issue a standard Illinois identification card.  If the goal of a visit to the DMV is to obtain a disabled ID, confirming it was completed correctly is important to having a successful trip.  A Type and Class number must be on the same line.  A video overview can be found HERE.  

If the individual’s disability does not meet the criteria for a disabled ID due to how the physician completes the form, then the individual would obtain a regular state ID.  

Other documentation that needs to be gathered and brought to the DMV includes proof of 1.) written signature, 2.) date of birth, 3.) Social Security Number, and 4.) residency.  Acceptable documents, like a birth certificate, can be found HERE (see page 2).  Documents that verify different groups can overlap.  For example, a Social Security card can verify item 1.) written signature AND 3.) Social Security Number.  Documents MUST be original, not photocopies.  

For individuals with a physical disability or who are unable to provide a written signature, bring the name stamp to the DMV when the card is issued and 2 witnesses will verify the stamp as proof of the individual’s signature.  More information can be found about ‘markings’ HERE (Section 4. Identification Card. (b).  

The Secretary of State website has a handy checklist that can be used to confirm that all required documents are in hand before going to the DMV.  Click ‘Get a New Non-Real ID/LD’ for a non-Real ID list of documents.  

Step 2- DMV Visit

After gathering the proper paperwork, including proof of the 4 identity groups and the disability form completed by the physician, going to the DMV to obtain the state ID is the next step.  

Some DMV locations require an appointment, while others are still walk-in.  DMV locations and hours and offices that accept appointments can be found HERE.   Note that a location that accepts online appointments may not also accept walks in.  Select ‘Schedule a DMV Appointment’ and continue through the prompts.  

For walk-in visits, if the individual is planning to obtain a Disabled ID be sure to alert DMV staff when checking in.  The individual may be able to bypass the long line and greatly reduce wait time.  

DMV staff will gather necessary paperwork, check that all paperwork is original and meets the 4 proof of identity areas.  DMV staff may ask the individual their height and weight, if they are interested in becoming an organ donor, as well as if they want to register to vote.  The individual will also be asked to provide a signature on an electric scan pad.  For individuals who use a stamp to sign their signature, additional DMV staff may come to serve as witnesses when the stamp is used for a signature.   The individual will also have their picture taken.  

If paying for a regular State ID ($20), a receipt can be provided, which is helpful if the individual is paying using benefit funds, such as SSI. 

For educators who are looking to support a group of students with obtaining a State ID, Illinois does offer a Mobile DMV.   With enough notice and adequate space, the Mobile DMV unit can set-up for the day and provide students and other locals identification services.   Educators would still need to coordinate required paperwork and payment with families for the ID services for each student, but this may be easier to make possible than a trip to a DMV office where timelines may be harder to estimate.  While notorious for being elusive, the Mobile DMV contact information can be accessed by reaching out the local village (as they may have previously worked with the mobile unit), the local DMV, by completing a Contact form found HERE, or by calling the Secretary of State directly at (800) 252-8980. 

Step 3- Temporary & Safe

After the DMV clerk has confirmed all the paperwork is acceptable, input the information, taken the individual’s picture, and accepted payment, they will issue the individual a temporary paper ID wallet card.  The individual should keep the temporary card safe and wait for their card to arrive in the mail within 15 business days.  The card will arrive to the address the individual provided when obtaining the card and the envelope containing the card will be addressed to the individual, meaning no other person should open that piece of mail except the individual.   In the event there is an issue with the card arriving to the address, a temporary ID is valid for 90 days and can be used the same way as an ID card.  

Given that a State ID has personal and identifying information, the ID should be kept safe.  While carrying it when out in the community allows the individual the opportunity to use it in an emergency, the individual and family should determine how and when to carry the card to ensure it remains safe. 

Step 4- Follow-Up

A regular state ID is valid for 5 years and a disabled ID is valid for 10 years.   If an individual needs to report their ID lost or stolen, they should reach out to their local Secretary of State DMV office for assistance.  More information about lost and stolen IDs can be found HERE.   The cost to replace a temporary card is $5 and replacing an ID card is $20 ($5 for those under 18 years old).

An individual may be able to renew their ID online and notification will be sent by mail.  The mailing will be sent to the address on the ID, so alerting the Secretary of State to address changes is important and helpful in the long run.  Information about the renewal process can be found HERE. When renewing a disabled ID a new physician’s form will need to be completed and submitted.  

An address can be updated for free online and should be done within 10 days of moving.   To update the address on the actual state ID card, the individual will need to visit their local DMV to provide documentation and pay applicable fees.