Illinois VSD 701 Reduced-Fee License Plate Program Guide – Illinois residents who are seniors or persons with disabilities may qualify for a significant discount on vehicle registration fees through the state’s Reduced-Fee License Plate Program. Official Form VSD 701, published by the Illinois Secretary of State, serves as the key informational brochure explaining this benefit. The reduced fee drops the standard passenger vehicle registration cost to just $10 for eligible applicants.
This program is administered in partnership with the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access Program. Form VSD 701 outlines the process, eligible plate types, and important limitations. Below is a complete, up-to-date guide for U.S. residents, particularly those living in Illinois.
What Is Illinois Form VSD 701?
Form VSD 701 is the official “Reduced Fee Brochure” issued by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Vehicle Services Department. It is not a fillable application form itself. Instead, it provides clear instructions on how approved Benefit Access Program participants can claim a $10 registration fee for qualifying license plates.
You can download the current version of Form VSD 701 directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website:
Download Illinois Form VSD 701 (PDF)
The brochure is also listed on the official License Plates Publications and Forms page maintained by the Secretary of State.
Who Qualifies for the Reduced-Fee License Plate Program?
Eligibility is determined exclusively through the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access Program (formerly known as the Circuit Breaker program). To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Age or Disability: Be 65 years of age or older by December 31 of the current year, or be at least 16 years old and totally and permanently disabled before January 1 of the current year.
- Residency: Live in Illinois at the time of application.
- Income Limits (based on prior calendar year gross income, effective since January 1, 2020):
- One-person household: less than $33,562
- Two-person household: less than $44,533
- Three-person household: less than $55,500
Disability must be verified through the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, Civil Service, Railroad Retirement, an Illinois Secretary of State Class 2 disability card, or a completed physician’s statement (Attachment A) that meets Social Security criteria.
For the most current eligibility guidelines, visit the official Illinois Department on Aging Benefit Access page: ilaging.illinois.gov/benefitsaccess.
How to Apply for the Reduced Fee?
The process involves two main steps:
- Apply for the Benefit Access Program
Submit an online application through the Illinois Department on Aging. Paper applications are not accepted. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and income documentation from the prior tax year. Applications filed January 1 through April 15, 2026, must use 2024 income; applications filed on or after April 16, 2026, must use 2025 income. - Receive Confirmation from the Secretary of State
Once approved, you will receive a letter from the Illinois Secretary of State. This letter (or your Benefit Access discount control number) serves as proof of eligibility. Present it when purchasing new plates or renewing your registration sticker to receive the $10 reduced fee.
You can look up your Benefit Access control number using the official search tool on the Secretary of State website: Benefit Access Control Number Search.
Eligibility under the Benefit Access Program lasts two years. You may reapply beginning 90 days before your current eligibility expires.
Eligible License Plate Categories
The $10 reduced registration fee applies to the following plate types when titled to the eligible individual:
- Passenger vehicles
- B-Truck plates
- Persons with Disabilities plates
- Most Military specialty plates (check individual plate rules on the Illinois License Plate Guide)
- Recreational vehicles weighing up to 8,000 pounds
Important limitations apply:
- The $10 fee covers only the base registration fee. Additional charges for vanity, personalized, or certain military plates still apply.
- Only one reduced-fee discount is allowed per household per year.
- The discount applies to one set of plates titled to the person who received the Benefit Access approval.
What If You Already Paid the Full Fee?
If you renewed your plates at the full rate and later became approved for the Benefit Access Program, you may request a refund. Use the official refund request portal or contact the Secretary of State’s office at 800-252-8980 for assistance. More information is available at https://apps.ilsos.gov/bap/.
Contact Information and Official Resources
Illinois Department on Aging (Benefit Access Program)
Phone: 800-252-8966
TTY: 888-206-1327 or 711
Website: ilaging.illinois.gov
Illinois Secretary of State – Vehicle Services
501 S. Second Street
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: 800-252-8980
Official Benefit Access Program page: ilsos.gov/services/bap.html
Always download forms and verify information directly from official .gov websites to ensure you have the most current version. Form VSD 701 remains the primary reference brochure for the Reduced-Fee License Plate Program.
By following the steps outlined above and using the official Form VSD 701 brochure, eligible Illinois residents can take advantage of substantial savings on vehicle registration costs while remaining fully compliant with state requirements.