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Illinois Assistance Programs

These programs are not charity. You paid for them. Part of your income goes to pay for these programs from every pay check you get. You deserve these programs and should use them when you need them.

You don't have to be homeless to get these benefits. They are designed to prevent you from becoming homeless.

Click on a link below to start you on the road to getting the help you need.

Food Stamp (Link) Program

Benefit Range:
$200 to $1502 per month

The minimum monthly benefit is $200 a month for a single person household whose monthly income is less than $1180 ( or up to $1850 if you're over 60 or disabled) and as much as $1502 per month for a household of 10 if monthly income less than $4905 ( or up to $7546 if over 60 or disabled). You can qualify even if you are working or have income as long as your income is below the limits.

Click on the link below for benefits information.

Link Benefits Information

Food Pantry Assistance

Benefit Range:
$300 to $2000 per month

Once you qualify for the Link Program you can go to any Food Pantry and get additional food, household supplies, medical assistance and more. But you have to qualify for the link program first.  The food pantries don't have the staff needed to verify eligibility, so they rely on the government and once you have that link card they know that the state has qualified you for benefits.

Telephone Assistance Program

Benefit Range:
$30 per month

Once you qualify for the link program, you can automatically get a free cell phone plus 250 minutes per month. You can apply online. The phone is usually delivered within a week by mail. Click on the link below to visit an actual phone service provider and see how easy it is to apply. Again, they rely on the government for qualifying your eleigibility and that is why you need to be on the link program or another qualifying government program.

You can purchase additional minutes at very reasonable rates.

Click Here For A Popular Free Phone Provider

Unemployment & Underemployment Benefits

Benefit Range:
$51 to $385 Per Week

Illinois Unemployment Insurance Benefits Handbook

If you are laid off from your job or even if your hours worked per week are reduced or fluctuate from week to week you will qualify for benefits. It is important to get signed up as soon as you are laid off or your hours are cut. Otherwise you may lose your bebefits.

Seasonal workers such as construction, farm workers or retail workers often rely on these payments to tide them over until work becomes available again.

Illinois Unemployment & Underemployment Insurance Web Site & Application Page



Additional Assistance Programs

Mortgage Assistance Program 

Benefit Range:
$20,000 to $25,000 

Monthly mortgage payment assistance to pay 100% of the mortgage payment owed to the servicer for up to 18 months while the household makes monthly contribution payments to the Illinois Housing Development Authority during their enrollment in the program.  Maximum assistance is $20,000 - $25,000, depending on county 

Energy Assistance Program

(Cook County)

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Direct Vendor Payment (DVP)

LIHEAP Percentage of Income Payment Program [PIPP]

C E D A

(Cook County)

Education, Employment & Training, Energy Efficiency Loans, Head Start, Early Head Start, Home Energy Assistance Programs, Housing, Purchasing, Scholarships, Self-Employment Training Program, Weatherization

Making Home Affordable Web Site

The Making Home Affordable Program  (MHA) ® is a critical part of the Obama Administration's broad strategy to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, stabilize the country's housing market, and improve the nation's economy.

Illinois Healthcare Portal

A one-stop source for healthcare needs. Individuals can sign-up for affordable health insurance programs, prescription drug assistance, and free breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Family Care Illinois

Health insurance for parents and certain caretaker relatives living with children 18 or younger in Illinois. Call 1-866-All-Kids, 1-866-255-5437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012)

All Kids

Health insurance coverage for Illinois children 18 or younger, regardless of family income. Call 1-866-All-Kids, 1-866-255-5437 (TTY: 1-877-204-1012)

MORE STATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS