Services for Seniors

Circuit Breaker Program - Reduced Fee License Plates

About Circuit Breaker

The official name of the Circuit Breaker Program is the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act.

Under the Act, the state refunds to eligible senior citizens and persons with disabilities some of the money they paid in property taxes, mobile home taxes or nursing home charges. The Act also helps pay for certain prescription medicines.

Finally, as part of the Act, the Secretary of State's office provides a discount for license plates purchase or renewal.

Eligibility

Seniors must first fill out Form IL-1363, the Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Claim form, from the Illinois Department on Aging. Once accepted into the program, Revenue contacts our office to inform us of the participants' names.

Senior citizens may then be eligible for a $75 annual discount on license plates or license plate renewal from the Secretary of State's office.

Eligible seniors usually receive a mailing from the Secretary of State's office notifying them that they are eligible for reduced license plate fees.

Illinois Department on Aging Circuit Breaker Guidelines

Discount Applies to These License Plates

The plate discount applies to one set of the following plates per household per year: standard passenger car, B-truck, persons with disabilities, recreational vehicles weighing up to 8,000 pounds, all military license.

To Receive Your Plate Discount

The Secretary of State's office sends eligible seniors a notification after they are accepted into the Illinois Department on Aging's program. When you buy license plates or renew your license plate sticker, submit the notification to verify that you are qualified for the discount.

If you have already renewed your license plate sticker and paid full price, and are now part of the Circuit Breaker program, you may be eligible for a $75 refund. Call the Secretary of State's Office at (800) 252-8980 for more information.

For More Information

To apply for the Circuit Breaker program, call the Illinois Department on Aging at (800) 252-8966.

Information about license plates and license plate renewal discounts is available by contacting the Secretary of State's Office at (800) 252-8980.