Resource Directory /

Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources

  • Chive Charities

    Chive Charities is a non-profit providing grants to support underserved veterans, military families, first responders and people with rare medical diagnoses. Chive Charities shares grant recipients’ stories to educate, advocate and inspire others to help provide a weekly grant to individuals with life-altering or life-threatening needs.

    Chive Charities grant items must either improve quality of life or be medically-related and not fully covered by insurance. Past grants have included:

    • Therapy equipment, such as adaptive tricycles and robotic walkers
    • Service dogs
    • Wheelchair-accessible vans
    • Mobility items

  • Citizens Utility Board Help Center

    The Citizens Utility Board (CUB)’s Help Center provides information and helpful resources for Illinois utility customers.  with more information.

    CUB provides information, including:

    • Financial resources and where to find help with utility bills
    • Disconnection rights
    • Efficiency and safety tips
    • Solar and efficiency programs

    For questions, call CUB at (800) 669-5556.

  • City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program

    The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) provides funding to Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless. RAP helps Chicagoans who have housing right now, but who may become homeless soon because they lost income or had another eligible emergency which prevents them from paying rent.

  • City of Peoria Ramp and Housing Assistance Programs

    The City of Peoria provides a variety of housing programs to help community members fix their properties, stay in their homes for longer and buy a home. Programs are available to help with:

    • Emergency replacement of broken water heaters and furnaces
    • Housing rehabilitation
    • Ramp and roof programs for eligible homeowners
    • Utility assistance program
    • Down payment assistance

    For questions about any of the programs, please call the City of Peoria at (309) 494-2273.

  • Claire’s Place Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis Support

    Claire’s Place Foundation is a non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF).

    Its programs are focused on creating a better quality of life for people and their caregivers as well as emergency funding assistance during long hospital stays. Its programs include an Extended Hospital Stay Grant Program and the Support Families and Resources Program.

  • Client Assistance Program

    The Illinois Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a federally funded program that helps persons with disabilities understand and use rehabilitation services. The program:

    • Informs and advises individuals of the services and benefits available to them through programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act and Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Advocates and provides assistance for people seeking programs and services provided for within the Rehabilitation Act
    • Helps to identify and resolve problems that may arise during the rehabilitation process
    • Identifies problem areas in providing rehabilitation services and makes suggestions for improving services

    Those eligible for CAP are:

    • Anyone seeking information, applying for services or already receiving services from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), the Vocational Rehabilitation and the Centers for Independent Living
    • Persons who are dissatisfied with the services they are receiving, or who have been denied services for which they may be eligible
    • Persons needing intervention or assistance in their relationships with programs providing rehabilitation service

    For more information about CAP, call (855) 452-2725 (1-855-ILCAP-25). TTY and Relay callers can dial 711. You can also email cap@equipforequality.org or visit equipforequality.org/cap for more details.

  • College Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

    Information from College Scholarships.org about college scholarships available to students with disabilities.

  • ComEd Financial Assistance Options

    ComEd offers assistance programs and its Smart Assistance Manager tool (SAM) to help you find the right options. ComEd programs include free energy-saving products, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Low Income Discount (LID) program, payment and budget billing arrangements, and more.

  • Community Action Agencies

    Community Action Agencies work with local community organizations and non-profit partners to provide assistance to Illinois families with items including:

    • Rental Assistance
    • Food
    • Energy Utility Bill Assistance
    • Water/Sewer Payment
    • Employment Training/Placement
    • Financial Management
    • Temporary Shelter

    This link provides a local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) search tool that can help you find programs in your area.

  • Community Alternatives Unlimited

    Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU) provides a wide range of services for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as programs to help economically challenged families with health and wellness during pregnancy and birth.

    CAU provides residents of the city of Chicago (north side), several northern suburbs and Lake County with services and programs that include:

    • Interview for Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS)
    • Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) and determinations for eligibility for services
    • Individual services and supports
    • Connecting new mothers to appropriate medical care, eligible public benefits, support services and community resources
    • Information and referral regarding prenatal care, checkups and immunizations, breastfeeding, infant development, family planning and parenting

    For questions, visit Contact CAU or call (773) 867-4000.