Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources
Housing Forward aims to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to housing crises when they do occur and stabilize people with supportive services and housing. It offers a full range of programs and services that include:
- Emergency financial assistance
- Emergency shelter
- Interim and transitional housing
- Respite services for a medical or behavioral health event
- Wraparound services, including employment, family support, community health nursing, behavioral health and legal clinic
- Rental support
- Permanent supportive housing
- Housing navigation services and more
Housing Forward serves 26 communities in west suburban Cook County: Bellwood, Berkeley, Berwyn, Broadview, Brookfield, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Forest View, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Hillside, Lyons, Maywood, Melrose Park, Norridge, North Riverside, Northlake, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove, Riverside, Schiller Park, Stickney, Stone Park and Westchester.
For more information, call the Housing Forward Office at (708) 338-1724 or visit the Housing Forward About Us page.
How SSI and SSDI Can Help Patients
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics as well as understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Many of PAF’s resources are also available in Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
ILHousingSearch.org is a free bilingual online resource for renters and property providers in Illinois.
You can search for affordable, accessible and market-rate housing to fit your needs and budget.
For additional assistance, call (877) 428-8844 (toll-free) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dial 7-1-1 for TTY.
Illinois Access to Justice Rental Assistance & Eviction Resources in Illinois
Illinois Access to Justice provides information on available rental assistance programs in Illinois, where to find legal help if you’re facing eviction and an overview of your rights as a tenant living in Illinois.
Visit its Rental Assistance and Eviction Resources page for more details. Information is available in English and Spanish.
Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program
The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program offers resources to help people impacted by a violent crime. Under the Crime Victims Compensation Act, the Office of the Attorney General can reimburse eligible victims up to $45,000 ($27,000 for crimes before Aug. 7, 2022) for expenses incurred as a result of a violent crime. The Attorney General’s website provides the Crime Victim Compensation Program application in English, Polish and Spanish and a video with steps for completing the form. Individuals can also call the Crime Victim Assistance Line for help at (800) 228-3368.
Eligible violent crime victims can receive financial assistance with:
- Accessibility and usability of property
- Crime scene clean up
- Funeral/burial expenses
- Loss of earnings
- Medical, hospital, dental and mental health counseling expenses
- Relocation and replacement costs
- Tuition expenses
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 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.
STAR NET Region VI is part of the Illinois STAR NET system and is supported through a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with Southwest Cooperative. STAR NET provides training, consultation and resources to the early childhood community.
The STAR NET system assists the State Board of Education in meeting local needs by providing services to professionals and parents of young children with special needs throughout Illinois.
STAR NET Region VI serves South Cook, Kane, Kendall, Kankakee, LaSalle, Will and Grundy counties.
STAR NET Region VI
6020 W. 151st Street
Oak Forest, Il 60452
Phone: (708) 342-5370
Fax: (708) 687-2247
email: starnet6vi@gmail.comIllinois STAR NET Regions I & III
STAR NET provides training, consultation, and resources to the early childhood community in Illinois. They offerprovide early childhood development workshops and webinars. STAR NET also provides information on how to apply for financial assistance to attend a workshop for family members of a child two through six years of age with an IFSP or an IEP.
STAR NET Regions I & III
Western Illinois University, Horrabin Hall 32
Macomb, IL 61455
Toll-free 800-227-7537
Phone 309-298-1634
Fax 309-298-2305Illinois Student Assistance Commission
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) provides Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.
ISAC offers free comprehensive, objective, and timely information on education and financial aid for students and their families. Help includes:
- The ISAC Student Portal with free online tools, events and resources for students, as well as short videos about college planning and financial aid.
- State scholarship and grant programs
- ISAC College Q&A, a free texting service that allows any student to submit their financial aid and college planning questions and receive a response from ISAC staff.
ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center at (800) 899-4722 (ISAC).