Grants for Low Income in Chicago

The city of Chicago is the United States’ third-most populous city and Illinois’ most populous city. The city is an international hub for culture, finance, industry, technology, commerce, education, transportation, and telecommunications. Chicago has the most balanced economy in the U.S. There are also a lot of programs, and services for low-income people, seniors, single mothers, and the disabled in the City of Chicago. These benefits are financed by the City of Chicago, the federal government, and local nonprofit organizations.

Financial and Cash Assistance

All Chicago is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial assistance for needy people. Individuals who are homeless or experiencing another severe emergency can benefit from financial aid. They make payments on a person’s behalf for utilities, rent, or transportation. Find more information at https://allchicago.org or contact (312) 379-0301.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal assistance program that presents temporary financial assistance for low-income pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children. TANF can help low-income earners to pay for utilities, food, shelter, and expenses other than medical costs. Needy people in Chicago may apply for TANF online or at a local office. Read more information at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/ or make connections with 1 800 843-6154.

Housing and Rent Assistance

The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is a state-funded program for assisting low-income families and individuals in affording safe housing in the private market. Low-income Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless can benefit from this assistance program. RAP pays future rent or rent arrears if the applicants meet the requirements.

To be eligible for the Rental Assistance program, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• Paystub, benefits statement, or affidavit of no income
• Lease
• Proof of loss of income or proof of other qualifying emergency or eviction notice
• State ID, CityKey, Driver’s License,
• Landlord agreement forms

After applying, a case manager will call the applicant to ensure the application is complete. Then, they may ask applicants to submit more documents. To learn more, you may visit https://www.chicago.gov or give it a call at 312.743.0300.

The Chicago Housing Authority is one of the largest public housing agencies in the nation. It helps more than 20,000 low-income households by providing safe, affordable housing. CHA, Chicago’s largest rental landlord, owns over 21,000 apartments. Applications can be completed online at applyonline.thecha.org. Applicants will need an Email Address, date of birth, social security number, temporary ID number, or alien registration number. Applications are always open. Low-income earners in Chicago can apply at any time. Applicants can update their status at any time. When applicants have successfully updated their applications, they will receive an email confirmation. Find out more information at https://www.thecha.org or make connections with 312 742-8500.

Health Assistance

Free Peoples Clinic is a medical clinic that serves low-income seniors, the disabled, and individuals in Chicago. Needy people can make an appointment to receive free medical care. The clinic is located at 1850 W. Garfield Boulevard. Find out more information at https://www.clinicdirectory.org/clinic/il-free-peoples-clinic.html/ or call (773) 436-4758.

Utility Bills Assistance

ACCESS Community Health Network was founded in the early 1990s and has services such as pediatrics, obstetric/gynecological and midwifery services, internal medicine, family practice, and ongoing management of chronic diseases. It is a provider of community health care. It helps about 200,000 patients each year. ACCESS Community Health Network has 35 health centers throughout Chicago, DuPage, and Cook counties. Click here https://www.achn.net to read more information or call the helpline at 1.866.267.2353.

Utility Billing Relief (UBR) is a City of Chicago program that supplies low-income Chicagoans with a reduced rate on their sewer, water, and water-sewer tax. Also, individuals who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year can benefit from debt relief. How does it help?

• For one year, those who complete the program will have their previous unpaid debt balance forgiven.
• A 50% rate reduction is provided for sewer charges, water charges, and water-sewer tax.
• No shut-off, penalties, or debt collection activity, including water shut-off.

The link to their official website is as follows  https://www.chicago.gov or make connections with (312) 744-4426.

CEDA is a nonprofit Community Action Agency that serves low-income residents throughout Cook County. The agency serves more than 150,000 households and more than 300,000 people every year. In addition, they have programs to help low-income people in Cook County pay utility bills. CEDA serves through the following programs:

Gas & Electric Assistance Program: The program helps households who are behind on their payments.

Water Assistance: This program provides water debt relief for needy residents in Chicago.

Home Weatherization: They make buildings more energy-efficient, lowering energy bills in the long run through weatherization improvements. Find out more information at https://www.cedaorg.net or call (312) 782-CEDA (2332).

Food Assistance

Greater Chicago Food Depository is a charitable organization that is a member of Feeding America. The Food Depository is Chicago’s food bank and acts as the hub for a network of hundreds of food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and other programs. These programs provide food for needy people in Chicago. The organization serves different programs for the specific needs of diverse groups, including older adults, children, and veterans. The food they distribute is purchased, donated, or part of federal government programs. Explore more opportunities through the following link https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/ or make a phone call at 773-247-3663.

Lakeview Pantry is a nonprofit organization and one of Chicago’s longest-operating and largest food pantries. Its mission is to eliminate poverty and hunger in the community by providing food to fill the basic needs of low incomes. Lakeview Pantry has served low-income people, families, seniors, and veterans for more than 50 years, and it focuses on meeting the immediate hunger needs of low-income seniors or homeless people in Chicago. The organization distributes food to low-income individuals and families six days a week through multiple programs. In addition, Lakeview Pantry presents an online food ordering system and five Chicago food access locations, and last year, they served nearly 200,000 needy people throughout the city. The link to their official website is as follows https://www.lakeviewpantry.org/ or make connections with (773) 525-1777.