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TANF program provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant people and families with one or more dependent children. TANF provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical. Benefits include: – Time limited cash assistance for basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, etc. – Transitional services to help families become independent, such as GED Preparation, vocational training, postsecondary education, vocational rehabilitiation, classes in basic English, help with child care, work stipends, job retention services, etc. – Screening for issues related to substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence, and referrals for available services to address them. -A person who receives TANF may also get medical assistance and SNAP benefits. – HFS Medical Assistance Programs: DHS provides medical assistance on behalf of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS), which administers the program. A family who receives TANF also receives a MediPlan Card that covers most medical needs. -SNAP (formerly food stamps): If a family who receives TANF qualifies, DHS will also provide them SNAP benefits.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for TANF, one must – Be pregnant or have a child under the age of 19 who lives with them. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student. A pregnant person (and their partner, if they live together) may qualify for help, even if they don’t have other children. – Live in Illinois. You can be houseless and still qualify. – Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements. – Develop a plan for becoming self-sufficient and follow it. You may also use the ABE Screener to find out if you may be eligible for benefits.
Contact: | Phone: 1-800-843-6154 |
Information and trainings for homeowners or renters.
Location:
1279 N. Milwaukee Avenue, South Side HUB at 639 87th St.
Contact: | Phone: (773) 329-4111 |
Supportive Housing Services (SHS) provides case management to formerly homeless or residents at risk of homelessness living in four Heartland Alliance subsidized apartment buildings. The social services program model is designed to assist residents in reaching housing stability and to promote personal growth, well-being and self-sufficiency. Services consist of case management, employment and career development, financial literacy programs, substance use counseling and housing services.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for Supportive Housing Services, an applicant must be homeless or at risk of homelessness and meet the building entrance criteria. Annually, SHS serves almost 300 participants across 6 buildings located on Chicago’s near West, West and South sides.
Location: 4411 N Ravenswood Ave Chicago, IL 60640
Contact: | Phone: (312) 660-1300 |
Chicago House provides housing and resources for low-income individuals and families who have experienced chronic homelessness or unstable housing and are living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
Contact: | Joshua Martinez | Phone: 773-248-5200 x212 |
Garrett White | Phone: 773-248-5200 x112
Government benefit provided by states. Provides health coverage to low-income adults, children, pregnant people, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Benefits include: Physician, hospital and long term care; drugs; medical equipment and transportation to and from appointments; family planning; laboratory tests, and X-rays
Eligibility Requirements:
Residents of Illinois, U.S. citizen, permenant resident, or certain qualified non-citizens are eligible. Must have an annual household income of: household size: 1 – max income: $17,775; household size: 2 – max income: $24,040; household size: 3 – max income: $30,305; household size: 4 – max income: $36,570; household size: 5 – max income: $42,836; household size: 6 – max income: $49,101; household size: 7 – max income: $55,366; household size: 8 – max income: $61,631; household with more than 8 people should add $6,265 per additional person to income thresholds.
How to apply: click here.
Federally Qualified Health Centers are clinics certified by the federal government that offer healthcare in underserved communities. Range of services vary, but can include: prenatal care, dental and mental health options, and support for other primary care needs.
Eligibility Requirements:
Available to low-income folks regardless of immigration status. Sliding scale options, and most services do not exceed $40 for a regular visit. Proof of IL residency and identification is required.
How to apply: click here.
According to Illinois State law, Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, hospitals have a legal obligation to provide financial assistance to uninsured individuals because they do not pay property taxes. Sometimes hospitals refer to this assistance as financial assistance or charity care.
Eligibility Requirements:
Available to all low-income individuals who meet the low-income threshold and live in Illinois, regardless of immigration status. You will need to prove proof of income, proof of Illinois residency, and identification.
How to Apply:
You will need to complete a financial aid application within 60 days of receiving your hospital bill. Generally, you find the application under the hospital’s “pay my bill” section. You can also call the hospital.
For emergency treatment, undocumented Illinois residents can qualify for Emergency Medicaid when visiting a hospital’s emergency room. Coverage is available until the patient is stabilized or for a maximum of 30 days. End-Stage Renal Disease dialysis treatment is covered by this Medicaid treatment as well as some cancer related medication and treatment.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify, the emergency has to have occurred suddenly and unexpectedly, caused by injury or illness, and requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious bodily functions or parts. You will need proof of income, proof of Illinois residency, and identifiaction.
How to apply:
You will need to complete the financial aid application provided to you by the hospital. In most cases, the hospital applies on your behalf. If the hospital does not apply on your behalf, you have the right to request and submit an application.
Legal Aid Chicago resolves critical legal problems that trap people in poverty. Legal Aid Chicago staff prevent unfair evictions from the only decent housing our clients can afford; protects survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking and domestic violence; secures or preserves desperately needed benefits such as veterans’ benefits, social security or health benefits; assists senior citizens who have been swindled by consumer scams or robbed of their livelihoods through fraudulent consumer scams; and helps children receive the education they need. Legal Aid Chicago DOES NOT handle the following types of matters:
Criminal cases (but we do handle expungement and sealing of records)
Personal injury
Malpractice
Workers’ Compensation
Traffic violations
Probate (wills/estates) (but we do Powers of Attorney and Transfer on Death Instruments for Property)
Private pension cases
Representation of landlords in eviction cases
Small claims cases
Eligibility Requirements:
Persons with limited assets and income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level are financially eligible for services. Legal Aid Chicago has higher income limits for homeowners at risk of foreclosure, seniors, veterans, people living with HIV, survivors of domestic or sexual violence with legal issues relating to their victimization, and victims of human trafficking. Legal Aid Chicago recipients must also fall into one of the categories: U.S. citizen,
Lawful Permanent Resident,
A victim of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, or other crimes which are included in the U visa laws,
Asylee or refugee,
A person who has been granted Withholding of Removal,
An Adjustment of Status applicant who also has a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child (under 21)
How to apply:
Fill out the questionnaire about your circumstance to receive a referral from the clinic, or reach out to any of the self-help centers.
The Legal Council for Health Justice provides free, expert legal assistance to low-income individuals and advocates for legal changes on state and national levels to help ensure access to quality care for all individuals. Legal help is serviced for the following areas: child health, confidentiality and testing, debt collection, discrimination, education plance, employment, future planning, health screenings, insurance, lead poisoning, and public benefits.
How to apply:
For help with medical-legal issues, contact Katie Shelton at [email protected] or 312.605.1951; for help with housing-legal issues, contact Lisa Parsons at [email protected] or 312.605.1962
