The TANF program can provide professional referrals for domestic violence and substance abuse.
The federal and Illinois state governments administer a number of income-based programs to assist residents with daily living expenses, energy costs and medical care. Each program has particular eligibility criteria that must be met to qualify for benefits and assistance. The application process time varies among programs but are generally assessed within 30 days or less. In emergency situations, applications can be assessed more quickly to provide immediate assistance.
Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program
The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program provides assistance in the form of energy conservation measures such as air sealing, insulation in walls and attics, window and door weatherization and furnace repairs and replacements. The program limits assistance to a maximum of $7,500 in repairs and energy conservation measures. The program is available to residents throughout the state who meet particular eligibility criteria. Applicants must have an income that is no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. This amount is equivalent to an annual income of $29,140 for a two-person household and $44,100 for a family of four.
Illinois DCEO
500 E Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62701
877-411-9276
ildceo.net
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides one-time financial assistance toward energy bill arrears. Households that purchase energy from vendors as well as those whose energy bill is included in rent payments may apply for this assistance. To qualify, applicants must meet qualifying criteria of a household income of no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level or $21,855 for a two-person household and $33,075 for a four-person household. For individuals whose rental payment includes energy consumption, rental payments must be equivalent to more than 30 percent of the household income. The program also provides a furnace benefit toward furnace repairs and replacement in emergency situations.
Illinois DCEO
500 E Monroe St.
Springfield, IL 62701
877-411-9276
ildceo.net
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program enables eligible Illinois residents to purchase food, up to a predetermined monetary limit, using an electronic card at grocery stores. The benefit may not be used to purchase food at restaurants, vitamins, medicines, pet foods, alcoholic beverages or tobacco products. To qualify for the program individuals must meet eligibility criteria including income and residency criteria. For a family household of four, the combined gross monthly income may not exceed $2,389. A family of this size may receive a benefit of up to $668 per month. For individuals whose household income equals less than their monthly rent or mortgage and utility costs, an Emergency SNAP program is available, which processes applications quickly to provide benefits within five days.
Illinois Department of Human Services
100 S. Grand Ave. East
Springfield, IL 62762
217-557-1601
dhs.state.il.us
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program provides financial assistance for food, shelter, utilities and basic clothing needs to pregnant women and families with dependent children. The program also provides services that assist adult family members in becoming career ready. Services include GED preparation, vocational training and postsecondary education. The eligibility criteria for the program require that applicants live in Illinois, have dependent children or be pregnant at the time of applying and meet low income qualifications. A three-person household must have an annual income of about $5,832 or less to qualify for the assistance program. The maximum annual benefit is about $5,000. Qualified applicants may not receive TANF assistance for longer than 60 months, except in exceptional circumstances that are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Illinois Department of Human Services
100 S. Grand Ave. East
Springfield, IL 62762
217-557-1601
dhs.state.il.us
Tags: Assistance Program, eligibility criteria, household income, more than, more than percent, than percent, 217-557-1601 state
