Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources
Electronic Portal for SSI Recipients
The IRS has an electronic portal to assist people on SSI and other non-filers in receiving their stimulus payments. Individuals can go to the portal, enter their personal information and that information will be utilized to send them a stimulus payment.
Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA)
Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA) is a four-year, post-secondary certificate program for young adults aged 18-28 with disabilities. Elsa students can live on campus or commute and participate in on-campus activities alongside their degree-seeking peers.
If you have any questions, please call (630) 617-3752 or email elsa@elmhurst.edu.
Emergency and Transitional Housing Program
The Emergency and Transitional Housing Program in Illinois gives immediate and comprehensive shelter services to people who are homeless and people at risk of becoming homeless. Services are provided at shelters run by nonprofit organizations and local governments. for more information, see the Emergency and Transitional Housing Provider List.
Employment Rights Helpline – Equip for Equality
Equip for Equality’s Employment Rights Helpline provides free legal advice and self-advocacy assistance to people with disabilities who have questions or need legal help related to their disability. It aims to help applicants and employees with disabilities in Illinois understand their legal rights and responsibilities with the goal of increasing meaningful employment opportunities.
The Helpline is toll-free at 1-844-RIGHTS-9, (844) 744-4879, or (800) 610-2779 (TTY). You can also email the Helpline at employment@equipforequality.org.
Endeavor Health Mobile Dental Clinic
Endeavor Health (formerly Northwest Community Healthcare) Mobile Dental Clinic offers family dental care for residents without access to a dentist due to financial barriers in Elk Grove, Palatine, Schaumburg or Wheeling Townships. Individuals must meet income guidelines and not have private dental insurance.
The clinic does not accept walk-ins. It may charge a copay for adult visits. Children’s services are free. To be eligible for services, patients must:
- Reside in Elk Grove, Palatine, Schaumburg or Wheeling Townships
- Undergone screening by their township before making an appointment
- Have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level or be on General Assistance or Medicaid
See the Mobile Dental Clinic flyer in English and Spanish for enrollment details and a contact number for each township.
EngineerGirl focuses on diversity of thought and the many opportunities engineering represents for girls and women. The EngineerGirl website includes inspiration, information about women engineers and their achievements, “Try This” design challenges, a writing contest, summer study programs for high school students and more. EngineerGirl offers girls interested in problem-solving and engineering.
Visit its website for information about engineering scholarships and the EngineeringGirl annual writing contest.
Entry Point for Suburban Cook County
Entry Point’s purpose is to ensure all people experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk of homelessness have fair and equal access to housing in suburban Cook County.
Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk of homelessness can access Entry Point throughout the region. Trained Entry Point staff at access locations work with households to understand their strengths and needs using a standardized assessment. Entry Point uses HUD homeless assistance eligibility guidelines and uniform prioritization policies to refer people to the right programs based on their preferences and levels of need.
Entry Point also helps suburban Cook County make the best matches between homeless assistance resources and the people who need them most.
Envision Illinois Domestic Violence Resources for People with Disabilities
Envision Illinois is a statewide collaborative project addressing domestic violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people. Envision Illinois provides various resources designed for all people, families, agencies and organizations working to ensure that survivors with disabilities have equal access to healing, safety and justice.
Envision Illinois’ website resources include:
- Case studies and scenarios
- Fact sheets and social story-type graphics
- A Mandatory Reporting Toolkit
- Sample forms and templates
- Self-advocacy resources
Envision Unlimited’s Community Living Program
Envision Unlimited’s Community Living Program provides a variety of residential living arrangements and supports to adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Services are individualized and person-centered. The intent is to assist each individual to live in the community in a setting most aligned with his/her preferences and those of his/ her guardian. In-home respite is prioritized for individuals who are not receiving any other funded service and who are on the PUNS wait list.
The Epilepsy Advocacy Network (EAN) seeks to optimize the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders by promoting community education and awareness, self-advocacy and empowerment, and helping all individuals gain proper access to care. EAN services and supports include:
- Case coordination (epilepsy)/assistance with education services
- Clinic visits
- Support groups
- Financial, transportation and medication resources
- Yearly camp for people ages 8 to 24 with epilepsy
- Seizure response training
It is an affiliate agency of the Epilepsy Alliance of America.