Meals and Financial Assistance Resources
Ford Credit is offering help to those who lease or finance through Ford Credit and are affected by COVID-19.
Funeral and Burial Benefits Program
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Funeral and Burial Benefits Program pays for funeral and burial expenses when a person’s resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates.
More information and forms for submitting a claim are available online or at your local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). Use the DHS Office Locator to find your local FCRC.
Good Samaritan Ministries in Carbondale
Good Samaritan Ministries provides assistance to families and individuals in need in the Carbondale area. Programs and services include:
- Emergency assistance
- An emergency shelter and transitional housing
- A soup kitchen
- Food pantry
Grace Bible Fellowship Pantry in Moline
Pantry Hours: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 8:30 to 11 a.m. For more information, please call (309) 797-7001.
Help Illinois Families Emergency Relief Initiative
Help Illinois Families expands on the existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Community Services Block Program (CSBG). New eligibility thresholds make Help Illinois Families available to more individuals and families. If you meet the income requirements and submit your application, you may be eligible for emergency assistance to cover the costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food and other household necessities.
LIHEAP helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services. This includes assistance with heating, gas, propane and electricity. The last day to apply online with the Request for Services form is April 15. After that date, you can still apply through your local administering agency through May 31 2022.
CSBG offers Illinoisans an opportunity to receive support for an array of essential services including rent assistance, food, temporary shelter, medicine and more. CSBG applications are avaialble year-round.
This initiative remains available for all qualifying households with low income, regardless of how they may be affected by COVID-19. Eligible families may qualify for hundreds of dollars of support.
Highpoint Care Center COVID-19 Relief
Highpoint Care Center provides a Mobile Drive-Up Care Center where recipients can receive a bag filled with groceries and resources. Care Center locations are available in:
- Naperville
- Wheaton
- Bolingbrook/Romeoville
- North Aurora
Highpoint Church also offers financial assistance to those in need. For more information, visit www.highpoint.church/care/.
Holy Trinity High School in Chicago Summer Meals
Free meals are available to all children and young adults under 18 years old. Children need not be present at pick up, nor do they need to attend the school where pick up is made. There is a maximum of five meals per car.
Holy Trinity High School (Starting June 15)
1443 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60642
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Homeless Assistance Community Contacts
Illinois has many designated Continuum of Care agencies in local communities that can help people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to find affordable housing in local communities.
Homeless Prevention Program in Illinois
The Homeless Prevention Program in Illinois provides rental/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, approved case management and approved supportive services directly related to the prevention of homelessness to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless. The program is designed to stabilize individuals and families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time that individuals and families stay in shelters and assist individuals and families with securing affordable housing.
Contact a Homeless Prevention Provider from the list to receive services.
Housing Forward’s mission is to transition people from housing crisis to housing stability. It offers a full range of programs and services that include emergency assistance, prevention and stabilization services; employment readiness; supportive housing; and homelessness prevention.
Housing Forward serves the following 21 communities in west Cook County: Bellwood, Berkeley, Berwyn, Broadview, Chicago (Austin), Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Forest View, Franklin Park, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove, Schiller Park, Stickney, Stone Park and Westchester.
In addition, Housing Foward serves clients who choose to live in Brookfield, Lyons, North Riverside, Riverside and LaGrange through its supportive housing programs.