How it works

Real help in under 2 minutes.

No forms. No jargon. No dead ends. Just a clear, personalized list of what you qualify for — and exactly how to get it.

01

Answer 6 simple questions

Tell us who you're caring for, where you live, your approximate income, and what kind of help you need most. No account required. Nothing is saved or stored — your answers are used once to find your matches and then forgotten.

02

We check every program at once

PathfinderCare's Navigator scans federal programs (like NFCSP and Medicaid waivers), Illinois state benefits, and local DuPage and Cook County resources — all simultaneously. Instead of researching each one separately, we do it for you in seconds.

03

Get your personalized action plan

You'll see a ranked list of every program you're likely to qualify for, with estimated dollar values, plain-language descriptions, and the exact next step to apply — a phone number to call, a website to visit, or a form to fill out. No dead ends.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is PathfinderCare really free?
Yes, completely. PathfinderCare is a nonprofit. We don't charge caregivers, we don't sell data, and we don't run ads. Our work is funded by grants and donations.
Do you store my information?
No. The Navigator runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are used once to generate your results and are never saved, stored, or sent to any server. We built it this way on purpose — your privacy matters more than our analytics.
What area does PathfinderCare cover?
We currently have deep coverage of DuPage County and Cook County, Illinois, plus all federal and Illinois state programs. We're expanding to Will County and other Illinois areas soon. If you're outside Illinois, the Navigator will still match you to federal programs and national resources.
How accurate are the results?
The Navigator matches you to programs based on general eligibility criteria — things like income range, location, and care situation. It's a starting point, not a guarantee of eligibility. Each result includes the exact next step so you can confirm your eligibility directly with the program.
I'm not sure I'm a "caregiver." Is this for me?
If you're regularly helping a family member or friend with daily tasks, medical appointments, finances, or emotional support because of their age, illness, or disability — you're a caregiver. Many people don't use that word for themselves, and that's okay. The support is there for you either way.
Can I use PathfinderCare on behalf of someone else?
Absolutely. Social workers, case managers, hospital staff, and family members regularly use the Navigator to find resources for the caregivers they're supporting.

Ready to find your support?

It takes less than 2 minutes and costs nothing. No account needed.

Start the Navigator