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Resources

FOOD PANTRIES

For information about free food distribution visit the Chicago Food Depository search engine at www.chicagosfoodbank.org and click “Need Food” link to enter your zip code and find pantries near you, or call 773-247-FOOD (3663).

 

www.direct2food.org is Metro Chicago’s one-stop for meeting the food needs of you and your family. Outside of Chicago visithttp://www.feedingillinois.org to find the food pantry, shelter, or soup kitchen nearest you.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP):

  • In Cook County the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. helps people apply. Call them at (312) 456-4100 (Chicago CEDA), (800) 252-8643 (Outside the City) or visit them at http://www.cedaorg.ne /www2/index.htm or call the LIHEAP Hotline (800) 571-CEDA (2332).
  • Contact Peoples Gas to request a fixed payment plan at or 866.556.6001 or at http://www.peoplesenergy.com/

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE: If you are at risk of losing your housing due to circumstances beyond your control or have lost your housing:

  • To access Homeless Prevention funds in Chicago Please call the Homelessness Prevention Call Center by calling 3-1-1, and tell them that you need “Short-Term Help.”
  • If you need assistance in Cook County visit http://www.suburbancook.org/Resources.html for more information. For shelter in Cook County please immediately contact the emergency facility nearest you:
    • South/Southwest: 708.754.4357
    • North/Northwest: 847.963.9163
    • West Suburbs: 708.338.1724 Oak Park, 708.354.0858 LaGrange

HOME OWNERSHIP/MORTGAGE ISSUES

  • Neighborhood Housing Services provides home purchase counseling & foreclosure prevention. Visit www.nhschicago.org or call 773-329-4010.

CREDIT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY ASSISTANCE

  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau helps protect consumers by working to give them the information they need to understand the terms of their agreements with financial companies. It is working to make regulations and guidance as clear and streamlined as possible so providers of consumer financial products and services can follow the rules on their own. www.consumerfinance.org
  • Credit counseling is provided by

LEGAL ASSISTANCE:

  • Illinois Legal Aid Online at http://www.illinoislegalaid.org, for online legal research, forms, guidance and statewide legal aid directory.
  • CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline helps thousands of low-income families find answers to everyday legal problems including housing, employment, education, consumer debt, divorce, guardianships, estates, injuries to person or property, public benefits, health care and more. CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline for legal information, advice and referrals for Cook County residents via the telephone at 312-738-9200 or www.carpls.org.
  • Legal Assistance Foundation for legal assistance at (312)341-1070. www.lafchicago.org 
  • Lawyer’s Committee for Better Housing provides legal representation to families experiencing the eviction process. By phone at 312-347-7600 or www.lcbh.org
  • Illinois Tenants Union (ITU) for assistance with legally terminating leases and legal representation in the eviction courts. Contact 773.478.1133 or www.tenant.org

Additional Resources

  • Illinois Self-Sufficiency Calculator – is a tool developed by the Social IMPACT Research Center at Heartland that can help you learn about the cost of living in your community, construct your budget and see if you may be eligible for public benefits. www.ilcalculator.org
  • Illinois Asset Building Group – is a diverse statewide coalition invested in building the stability and strength of Illinois communities through increased asset ownership and asset protection.www.illinoisassetbuilding.org
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