Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources
People’s Resource Center (PRC) serves DuPage County residents. It offers a food pantry, computer access, financial assistance, an art program, a clothes closet and more. Residents need to register to receive services.
Download the PRC flyer for a list of locations, services and times for:
- The food pantry
- The clothes closet
- Empowerment services
- Social services
Peoples Gas Payment Arrangements and Energy Assistance
If you cannot pay your energy bill due to financial difficulties, Peoples Gas has flexible payment arrangement plans or energy assistance options that may help.
Perkins School for the Blind College Readiness Resource Center
Perkins School for the Blind College Readiness Resource Center helps students and the many people involved in assisting them prepare for success. Students, families and education professionals can access helpful planning and assessment tools, checklists and resources for going to college, pre-college training programs or heading straight to work.
The College Readiness Resource Center includes:
- Resources for families to start planning early
- Information on the laws that affect the transition from high school to college
- How to get students ready for life after high school
- The College Readiness Checklist and Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) Toolkit
The PKU Organization of Illinois provides resources and support to teens, adults and families with PKU and 16 allied disorders.
Their website includes information about understanding and managing phenylketonuria (PKU), diet, local resources, events, what to expect at different life stages and a PKU binder toolkit.
For questions, please email the PKU Organization of Illinois at pkuillinois@gmail.com.
PKU Organization of Illinois Andrew Craig Memorial Scholarship
The PKU Organization of Illinois awards the Andrew Craig Memorial Scholarship annually to qualified individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) or allied disorders. Eligible applicants may receive scholarships of up to $2,000. The scholarship applicant requirements include:
- Having PKU or an Allied Disorder diagnosis
- Currently residing in Illinois
- Enrolling to attend an accredited college, university, or vocational school for the fall semester of the current calendar year
A student may receive more than one scholarship during their secondary education, but not in consecutive years.
For questions, please contact the PKU Organization at pkuillinois@gmail.com.
The Plainfield Park District provides recreational opportunities for all residents. If you or a family member needs special assistance or accommodations to participate in any park district program, please indicate that need on your registration form.
In addition, the park district coordinates with the Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA) to offer a wide range of recreational opportunities.
To discuss any special accommodation requests, please contact the NWCSRA at (815) 407-1819.
Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS)
The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) from the Social Security Administration can help people with disabilities create a written plan of action to get a specific job or start a business. The PASS allows you to earn more money toward a work goal without reducing your SSI benefits.
For more information, call (800) 772–1213 (TTY 1–800–325–0778).
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Support International (PSI) provides a worldwide network of peer support, information, professional trainings and coordinators in all U.S. states. Its mission is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide. PSI has more than 400 local support volunteers who provide support, information, encouragement and connection with local providers and support groups.
PSI offers 50-plus free online support groups to connect with other parents, including groups for special needs and medically fragile parenting, birth trauma support, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) postpartum parents and more. PSI also moderates closed Facebook groups for moms and dads.
PSI also has a helpline for anyone to get basic information, support and resources. You can call or text daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central standard time at:
- Call (800) 944-4773 for English and Spanish support
- Text in English to (800) 944-4773
- Text en Español to (971) 203-7773
Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) offers free legal services to people living in poverty, with disabilities, aged 60 and older across 36 counties in Northern and Central Illinois. PSLS provides legal help to protect survivors of domestic violence and help people facing issues impacting financial stability and serious housing issues.
See the PSLS General Services brochure for more details:
PSLS has 11 offices that serve 36 counties in northern Illinois. The resources page also provides references to self-help information. Visit PSLS’ website for more information, office hours and locations.
Progress Center for Independent Living Serving Suburban Cook County
The Progress Center for Independent Living serves over 133 municipalities throughout suburban Cook County. It is a community-based, non-profit, non-residential service and advocacy organization operated for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities. Progress Center provides a variety of training and education services, housing assistance, and tools and resources for people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. These include:
- Youth transition to adulthood program
- Independent living skills training
- Peer counseling
- Housing assistance
- Deaf services
- Braille classes
- Radio Independent Living 24/7
For questions, please call (708) 209-1500 or email info@progresscil.org.
