Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources
Illinois Department of Employment Security Youth Program
The Hire the Future Program at the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is designed to provide youth ages 16 to 24 with employment assistance, job readiness and career development services. You c an find out what careers match your skills and interests by using IDES’ online job resources.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is responsible for providing healthcare coverage for adults and children who qualify for Medicaid. Its programs include All Kids, Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities, Managed Care and more.
Illinois Department of Human Services
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) provides services and programs to help Illinois residents become economically independent and self-sufficient, including food, financial assistance, mental health, child care, shelter/housing and more. Its divisions include:
- Developmental Disabilities
- Early Childhood
- Family and Community Services
- Mental Health
- Rehabilitation Services
- Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)
Illinois Department of Human Services Find Food Website
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Find Food website offers a list of advocacy, education, and social support services, as well as links to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Illinois. IDHS Find Food resources include:
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
- Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) Lobby Resources
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
You can contact the IDHS Helpline at:
- 1 (800) 843-6154
- 1(866) 324-5553 TTY
Illinois Disability Benefits 101
Illinois Disability Benefits 101 is a free, user-friendly, Illinois-specific website that helps work through the myths and confusion of Social Security benefits, health care, employment and more. It is a one-stop shop for information, resources, and tools to motivate and support employment and community inclusion for individuals with disabilities, their families and professionals.
Illinois Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) Services
Illinois’ Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) Services system offers services including day services, home-based services, Early Intervention services, disability determination services and other supports.
Visit the Developmental Disability Services page for more information. You can also contact:
- (888) 337-5267
- (866) 376-8446 (TTY)
- DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov
Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse is a lending library and information resource for families and professionals interested in or involved with the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Program. It also provides support groups in English and Spanish for families involved in the Illinois early intervention program on Facebook.
The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse offers:
- An Early Intervention Family Guide in English, Spanish and also Arabic, Simplified Chinese, French, Kiswahili, Polish, Russian, and Urdu
- Tip sheets and guides for families
- A technology loan program
- A family support group on Facebook for both English and Spanish-speakers
- Resources for EI staff and providers
Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation
The Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation (IECCC) assists any child under the age of 21 who is a legal resident of Illinois with medical assistance, as long as it falls within the IECCC scope and guidelines.
Assistance can include custom-designed braces, wheelchairs, treatment programs, corrective shoes, physical/occupational therapy services and more.
IECCC provides several competitive scholarship programs. No current or past affiliation with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is required. Areas of study include physical or occupational therapy, special education and speech-language pathology. Scholarship application packets must be returned by March.
Explore all IECC scholarship requirements online or visit your local Elks Lodge for more information.
Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources
Streator Unlimited Inc.’s Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources provides services to anyone of any age with epilepsy or a seizure disorder who resides in its service area of central and northwest Illinois. Its services include:
- Peer support and support groups
- Caregiver support
- Help to navigate insurance and benefits
- Medical service support
- Access to counseling
- Vocational support
- Help to coordinate transportation
For more details, email epilepsy@streatorunlimited.org or call (815) 673-5574.
Illinois FAIR Plan Association
The Illinois FAIR Plan Association offers property insurance to qualified applicants in Illinois who are unable to buy insurance through the standard insurance market for reasons beyond their control. The FAIR Plan may be an answer for responsible property owners or homeowners who are having a problem obtaining property insurance in the standard market.
Many insured individuals use the FAIR Plan as a temporary market for a year or two until they qualify for coverage in the standard market.
The FAIR Plan offers Dwelling Property, Commercial Property and a broad range of Homeowners coverage for property owners, renters and condominium owners. Please visit the Illinois FAIR Plan Association website or call (312) 861-0385 for more details.
If you have questions, please contact the Illinois FAIR Plan Association at (312) 861-0385 or (800) 972-4480.