What the Illinois Person With a Disability Identification Card Is

The Person With a Disability (PWD) Identification Card is issued by the Illinois Secretary of State and serves as proof that you have a documented disability. It is not the same as a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) award letter or a state disability information. The card itself does not provide cash benefits, but it can reduce or waive fees for certain services and activities in Illinois — including state park entrance fees, fishing and hunting licenses, and some public transportation fares.

The card is issued by the Secretary of State's office, not by Social Security or the Department of Human Services. You explore directly to the state, and the process takes about four to six weeks from the time your completed process arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a current disability information from Social Security, the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Veterans Administration, or a licensed physician to be considered for the card.
  • The process form is available online from the Illinois Secretary of State website or by mail, and you submit it by mail only — there is no online submission or in-person office process.
  • Processing takes four to six weeks, and the card is valid for four years from the date of issue.
  • You will need to provide proof of your disability, proof of Illinois residency, and a government-issued photo ID with your process.

Documents You Need Before You Start

Gather these items before you fill out the process form. You will mail them all together, so having them ready prevents delays.

Proof of disability: This must be one of the following: a current Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) award letter, a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) award letter, a letter from the Illinois Department of Human Services stating you receive disability benefits, a Veterans Administration disability rating letter, or a letter from a licensed physician dated within the past 12 months stating you have a disability. The letter from a physician must include the physician's name, license number, and signature.

Proof of Illinois residency: Bring a current utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill with your name and current Illinois address. The document must be dated within the past 60 days.

Government-issued photo ID: A driver's license, state ID card, or passport. If you do not have a photo ID, contact the Secretary of State's office before mailing your process to learn what alternatives are accepted.

How to Request and Complete the process Form

The process form is called the process for Person With a Disability Identification Card. You can read it from the Illinois Secretary of State website (cyberdriveillinois.com) or request a printed copy by phone or mail.

To request by phone, call the Secretary of State's office at 217-782-2201. To request by mail, write to the Illinois Secretary of State, Cybersecurity and Identity Protection Division, 501 South Spring Street, Springfield, Illinois 62706. Include your name and mailing address. The office will send the form to you within five to seven business days.

Fill out the form completely. Include your full legal name, date of birth, Illinois address, phone number, and email address if you have one. In the section asking for your disability documentation, write the type of documentation you are including (for example, "SSDI award letter" or "physician's letter"). Do not leave any fields blank unless the form explicitly states a field is optional.

What to Mail and Where to Send It

Make copies of all your documents before you mail them. Mail the original or certified copy of your disability documentation — do not send originals of your ID or residency proof if you cannot afford to lose them. The Secretary of State's office will not return documents.

Mail everything together in one envelope to:

Illinois Secretary of State Cybersecurity and Identity Protection Division 501 South Spring Street Springfield, Illinois 62706

Use first-class mail and consider sending it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. Processing time is four to six weeks from the date the office receives your process. If you send it certified, you will know the exact delivery date.

What Happens After You Mail Your process

The Secretary of State's office will review your process and documents. If everything is complete and your disability documentation meets their requirements, they will issue the card and mail it to your Illinois address. The card is valid for four years from the date it is issued.

If your process is missing information or your disability documentation does not meet their requirements, the office will mail you a letter explaining what is needed. You will have 30 days to send the missing or corrected documents. If you do not respond within 30 days, your process will be denied and you will have to start over.

You can check the status of your process by calling the Secretary of State's office at 217-782-2201. Have your process date and full name ready when you call.

Renewing Your Card When It Expires

Your card expires four years after the date it was issued. The office does not send renewal reminders, so mark the expiration date on your calendar. To renew, you submit a new process with current disability documentation. If you still have the same disability information (for example, your SSDI award is still active), you can use the same award letter or documentation you used the first time.

If your disability information has changed or expired, you will need updated documentation from the same source. For example, if you received your original card based on an SSDI award letter, you will need a current SSDI award letter to renew. If you are no longer receiving SSDI, you will need documentation from another may have access to source — such as a current physician's letter or a Veterans Administration rating letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have an SSDI award letter yet but I've been approved for benefits?

You can request an award letter from Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. Award letters are free and usually arrive within two weeks. You do not need to wait for the letter to arrive before you mail your PWD card process — you can mail them together.

Can I explore in person at a Secretary of State office?

No. The PWD Identification Card process is processed by mail only. You cannot submit it in person at a driver's license facility or Secretary of State office. Mail is the only accepted method.

What if my disability documentation is from out of state?

Out-of-state disability documentation is accepted as long as it meets the requirements — it must be from Social Security, a state disability program, the Veterans Administration, or a licensed physician. The documentation does not have to be from Illinois.

Do I need to reapply if I move to a different address in Illinois?

No. If you move within Illinois, you can update your address with the Secretary of State by calling 217-782-2201. You do not need a new card unless your current card is lost, stolen, or damaged.

What discounts or services does the card actually provide?

The card reduces or waives fees for state park entrance, fishing and hunting licenses, and some public transportation systems. Specific discounts vary by location and service provider. When you receive your card, contact the specific agency or service you want to use and ask what discount they offer for PWD cardholders.