Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Lori Pace
The state of Illinois offers helpful assistance for single mothers and other low-income families. Assistance includes food, utility, medical, housing, and other help.
Assistance for single mothers in Illinois
Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides low-income individuals and families to buy healthy food. Those qualified will receive their benefits through an Illinois Link Card that resembles a debit card but can only be used for food and seeds to plant for home gardens. SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase hot foods ready to eat, lunch counter items, food intended to be eaten in the store, vitamins, medicines, pet foods, nonfood items, tobaccos, or alcohol.
Contact the SNAP Hotline 800-843-6154, 800-447-6404 TTY, or visit a local office by county.
Utility Assistance
For assistance with paying your power bill contact one of the companies listed below or your local utility office.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is for low-income households in need of help in paying for their winter energy service.
These are the companies or local utility offices that can help you pay for your power bills:
- Ameren – 877-411-9276
- ComEd CHAMP (ComEd Helps Activated Military Personnel) – 888-806-CARE (2273)
- Nicor Gas – Start application online
- Northshore Gas – 866-556-6004 TDD 866-556-6007
- Peoples Gas – 866-556-6001 TDD 866-556-6007
- Springfield City Water Light & Power – 217-789-2414
- Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative – 618-842-2196
Visit the Illinois Community Services website to learn more about the resources you can get with utilities in Illinois and contact the Community Action Agencies or County Office near you.
Keeping Cool
Visit Illinois Services Page or call 877-411-9276 to keep cool during hot humid summer days.
The Warm Neighbors Cool Friends, an Energy Assistance Foundation that can assist you with heating and cooling.
Credit Counseling for Single Parents
The Chestnut Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) provides single mothers and families in debt and losing control of finances with counseling, budget, and money management. The CCCS, a nonprofit services agency, has professional credit counselors that are dedicated to helping individuals take control of their finances. They cover topics like consumer education, confidential budget counseling and/or debt management programs, regardless of income or amount of debt. Contact 800-615-3022 the CCCS to learn more about how they’ll be able to help you.
Legal Services
Illinois Legal Aid
The Illinois Legal Aid can provide free or low-cost legal assistance to low-income individuals that can cover cases of eviction, domestic abuse, denial of program benefits, children’s rights, and more. Legal Aid, a nonprofit organization that serves the entire state and owns offices in Chicago.
Cornerstone Community Homeless Outreach
The Cornerstone Community Outreach mostly provides shelter for women and families but offers limited programs to single men and women. They offer job training, skills assessment, and caseworkers to help those in the shelter get back on their feet.
Hannah House
The Hannah House (1989) can shelter 55 women with children, and a small number of couples with children. Their shelter has rooms on the first floor and a passenger elevator for clients having trouble with mobility.
