Get the Help You Need

​When you are struggling to feed your family or pay your bills it can be hard to focus on work, school, or your job search. If you need help getting back on your feet, there are many agencies and organizations in Illinois that can help. These places can help you meet your basic needs as well as deal with illnesses, emergencies, or other challenges to self-sufficiency.

Review each resource area below for Illinois assistance.

Cash Assistance:

• AABD – Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (AABD) helps those who need money and are 65 years or older, blind, or disabled. Some other criteria the Department of Human Services (DHS) considers are whether the person is on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and whether they are a U.S. citizen.
• TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a financial assistance program for families and pregnant women with one or more dependents in the household. It helps to pay for food, shelter, and utilities.
• Other Public Assistance Programs – People eligible for public assistance can access more services and programs through The Division of Human Capital Development.

Food and Nutrition:

• WIC – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a food assistance program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and mothers of children aging up to five years old in certain cases, buy healthy food items.
• School Food Program – The Free Lunch and Breakfast Program requires that each public school have a program that provides a free lunch and breakfast to students eligible to receive free meals. See eligibility requirements here.
• Food Bank – The Food Bank Finder is used to locate the Feeding America Food Bank that services your local community.
• SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was once called "food stamps." It ensures that people and families with low income can afford the food they need to stay nourished.
• Emergency Food Program – The Emergency Food Program helps families in Illinois who fall in the category of low income. Free food helps support these families.

Homelessness:

• Help with Housing – The Department of Housing and Urban Development assists homeless individuals or people at risk of losing their homes. They have help hotlines, housing counselors, and shelters throughout the state of Illinois.
• ID Cards –Illinois offers free of charge Illinois ID Cards to the homeless with the proper documentation to show proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, and signature. The individual must also bring a completed Homeless Status Certification. The Certification can be found by following the link above.
• Supportive Housing – The Supportive Housing Program provides services such as drug abuse counseling and child care while helping to prevent people from becoming homeless.
• Homeless Prevention – The Homeless Prevention Program can help with paying rent and utility bills for people at risk of becoming homeless. Services are for eligible individuals and families who are at risk of eviction, foreclosure, or homelessness. DHS also provides this service to people who are currently homeless.
• Homeless Veterans – Illinois Veterans Affairs provides a wide array of programs and plans designed to help homeless veterans live as self-sufficiently as possible. This includes group homes for disabled or homeless veterans, mortgage assistance, and assistance with property tax.
  
• Homeless Youth – DHS provides services that help homeless youth become more self-sufficient. The program provides shelter and education for youth who need immediate help. This program serves people aged 20 or younger who are unable to return home or live independently.

Other Services:

• Tax Credit – The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) puts cash back in your pocket if you worked during the past year. If you qualify, you can reduce your taxes or get a bigger refund. Learn where to get help filing your taxes and guidelines for the federal and state EITC.
• The Department of Human Services provides resources that cover many different needs. If you need to locate an office near you, use this information:
• DHS Office Locator – 24-hour DHS Hot Line: 1.800.843.6154 or 1.800.447.6404 TTY (English or Spanish). DHS Provider Help Line: 1.800.804.3833 or 1.877.434.1082 TTY