Social Services

LOCAL RESOURCES TO HELP YOU

How can I get food assistance?

Chicago Public Schools
- CPS schools are open Monday – Friday, 9am-1pm, to provide meals to parents (breakfast and lunch). They will receive 3 days of meals for each young person in the household. 1-773-553-KIDS or email at [email protected] to make a request for food delivery.

Food Pantries
- Common Pantry (local food pantry on the North Side 3744 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60618) - open Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Food Bank Directory: www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/ - members can use this link to look up food pantries, soup kitchen, mobile food distribution, or shelters in Cook County - just input their address and it will locate the closest resources
- Berwyn & Cicero & Stickney residents: Cicero Berwyn Stickney food pantry located at la Iglesia Luterana Getsemaní, 1937 S 50th Ave in Cicero - open on Tuesdays

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Call 1-800-843-6154
- You qualify if you:
  - Are pregnant or have a child under age 19 who lives with you. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student. A pregnant woman (and her husband, if he lives with her) may qualify for help, even if they don't have any other children
  - Live in Illinois. You can be homeless and still qualify.
  - Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements.

For Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Call (217) 782-2166 or visit a local office. Find offices here: www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12&officetype=11&county=
- To qualify:
  - You are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
  - Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
  - Families with a low to medium income
- Provides:
  - Special checks to buy healthy foods - like milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans or peas, and peanut butter

Visit: www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=102017&fbclid=IwAR3b9Oc46TE-rBu9uBjF-eMF81O1bqd1LN1rfXeJ9MQURjUrUdoRU0jqZyE#a_toc1
- To qualify:
  - You are a victim of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes
  - You are an applicants of “T”, “U”, or Asylum status
  - Derivative family member of victim: Spouse, child, parent, or sibling under age 18

Senior Benefits Check-Up
- Visit: www.benefitscheckup.org
- Benefits compiled for individuals, including Health, Food, Transportation, Medication, Income Assistance, Housing, Education, & Employment

Meals On Wheels
- Visit: https://www.mealsonwheelschicago.org/contact/
- For seniors: (312)744-4016
- For individuals with disabilities: 312-744-6673
- SNAP (Formerly Food Stamps)
- Visit: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=33698&fbclid=IwAR2ll6qRCAYC2iwkpiR6v1EMbHFRBHdQTAfVRBLtncDTuegWLdtyX24R2QY

SNAP Eligibility Calculator: http://fscalc.dhs.illinois.gov/FSCalc/
- Cook County Benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.): (773) 843-5416

Forty Acres Fresh Market
- Visit: https://www.fortyacresfreshmarket.com
- Produce delivery. Accepts SNAP

What if I cannot pay my bills?

Utilities and Rent
- Illinois utilities, including electric, gas, & water, have agreed to suspend shutoffs and new late fees until May 1st. Includes ComEd and People’s Gas, except in the case of safety concerns.

Evictions
- The Cook County Sheriff will not enforce eviction orders beginning on March 14th, 2020, and continuing until April 13th, 2020. If the court has already ordered that a tenant should be evicted, the sheriff will not take action to put the tenant out until April 13th at the earliest.

Illinois Financial Hardship Tax Relief
- Tax abatement for 90 days
Emergency Rental Assistance
- Provides:
  - Payment of rent arrears to prevent eviction
  - Payment of rent
If you are experiencing homelessness, there are resources available:
- Homeless Shelter Directory
- Chicago Homeless Shelter List

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