Help Illinois Families

Description:

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This program provides a potentially faster way to pre-apply for services through a person's local Community Action Agency:
Tazewell and Woodford counties: Tazwood Community Services (https://www.tazwoodcs.org)
Marshall, Stark, and Putnam counties: Tri-County Opportunities Council (http://www.tcochelps.org)
Fulton County: Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois and Fulton County Health Department (the latter provides LIHEAP services to Fulton County)

For Peoria County, please contact the PCCEO (309-671-3900) directly.

Services will vary across community action agencies.
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Official release:

Effective immediately, the Help Illinois Families initiative is implementing an online pre-application form to make it easier and faster for individuals and families to start the application process remotely and to determine eligibility for LIHEAP and/or CSBG services (utility bills (energy, water, and sewer), rent, temporary shelter, food, prescriptions, and other household necessities). Increased eligibility thresholds aim to assist additional households needing support.

If you need assistance with completing and submitting your application, contact the call center at 1-833-711-0374 for live support. The call center will provide translation services in English, Spanish, and other languages if necessary. Please keep in mind that the call center has only a limited number of agents, so please reserve use of the call center for those who require help with language assistance and/or for callers with hearing impediments needing enhanced audio services.

Hours:

Phone line: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Intake Process:

Pre-applying online is the fastest, but please call if this is not possible.

If you believe you are eligible based on the listed eligibility standards and do NOT need assistance from a live agent, it!€™s time to start your pre-application form online. Start by visiting helpillinoisfamilies.com to identity your county which will route you to the pre-application form linked to the Community Action Agency servicing your county. If you need assistance with completing and submitting your application, contact the call center at 1-833-711-0374 for live support. The call center will provide translation services in English, Spanish, and other languages if necessary and TDD services for callers with hearing impediments.

Program Fees:

None

Languages:

English, Spanish, and the capability exists for other languages

Eligibility:

To help determine eligibility, please follow the steps below--

1. Is your household income within 200% of federal poverty level? If your household!€™s combined income for
the 30 days prior to application (gross income for all household members, before taxes are deducted) is at or
below 200% of the federal poverty level as shown below, you may be eligible to receive assistance.

Family Size (total number in household) 30-Day Gross Income Total to Meet Eligibility
1------------------------------------------------------------------------$2,147
2------------------------------------------------------------------------$2,903
3------------------------------------------------------------------------$3,660
4------------------------------------------------------------------------$4,417
5------------------------------------------------------------------------$5,173
6------------------------------------------------------------------------$5,930
For larger households, please contact your local administering agency.

2. What documentation do you need to prove eligibility?
For each household member, please have the following documents ready to confirm eligibility with your Community Action Agency:
social security card; proof of income over last 30 days through paystub, check or copy of check showing fixed income amount (e.g., SSA, VA, DHS benefits) or other proof of documentation for any income source; and utility bill if seeking utility bill assistance or lease if seeking rental assistance.

Is Shelter?

No

Date of Official Change:

June 17, 2022

Phone Numbers