The State of Illinois is working with a nonprofit group called Undue Medical Debt to forgive some people’s past-due medical bills.

You cannot apply for this program. Instead, Undue Medical Debt chooses whose debt to forgive. They base this on which hospitals agree to sell or give them the debt.

To qualify, you must:

• Live in Illinois, and
• Meet one of these money guidelines:
  • Your household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines (this means a household income under $132,000 for a family of four based on the 2026 guidelines), or
  • Your medical debt is 5% or more of your household income.

If your debt is forgiven through this program, you will get a letter in the mail telling you.