SERVICES

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. Part of the Act states that the Secretary of State's office provides a discount for license plates purchase or renewal.

Apply

• Seniors must first fill out Form IL-1363, the Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Claim form, from the Illinois Department on Aging.
• Eligible seniors usually receive a mailing from the Secretary of State's office notifying them that they are eligible for reduced license plate fees.
• 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.
• Illinois Department on Aging Circuit Breaker Guidelines

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, you must 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 refund. Call the Secretary of State's Office at 800-252-8980 for more information.