Rockford Resources
CONTACT of Northern Illinois, a United Way of Northwest Illinois partner agency, is the central access point for people in need in Stephenson County.
(815) 233-4357
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened access to Medicare telehealth services so that beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility.
Benefits.gov – Finding the Right Help During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Helpful information on government benefits such as unemployment resources and healthcare coverage as well as resources for businesses and families.
CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers to make decisions about serious illness and end-of-life care and services.
The site provides guides and resources about topics including advance directives, palliative care, caregiving and hospice care.
CaringInfo provides free advance directives and instructions for each state that can be opened as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file.
Citizens Utility Board – COVID-19 Help Center
If you are having difficulty affording your utility bills during the pandemic, there is money available for lower-income families.
Visit the Citizens Utility Board’s Help Center for more information.
Verizon COVID-19 response, following the FCC agreement to waive late fees, no cutoff service, etc.
“Consider the Alternatives: Decision-Making Options for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities”
As youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are making plans to attend college, it is more important than ever that families become fully informed about guardianship as well as less-limiting alternatives. This brief, written by Think College partners at PACER Center, defines some of the options and possible ramifications. It also suggests ways to promote self-determination no matter which option is chosen.
National Resource Center on Supported Decision-Making
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) provides plain-language, 24/7 tools in three languages so families can understand and assert their legal rights. ILAO helps people who are unable to find or afford attorneys open opportunities for justice. Its resources can help with crises such as eviction, debt, food insecurity, domestic abuse, deportation and divorce.
The ILAO also provides resources to help with guardianship, education, health and benefits and more.