Assistance for Single Moms in Illinois

Single moms can receive help and assistance in all cities and counties across the state of Illinois. Assistance programs help with free food, housing costs, rent, energy bills, mortgages, and free health care.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Destined for lower income single mothers in Illinois, the SNAP will help buy the food needed for good health, by getting food stamp benefits and vouchers from the state. 800-843-6154.

Free Food Banks
Free or low cost food, groceries, and other financial support, can be provided by the hundreds of food banks throughout the state of Illinois to single moms across the state. 815-633-1540 to contact the Illinois Food Pantry program.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Single moms and pregnant women with one or more dependent children are the ones that can receive help from this program, by receiving temporary cash and also other benefits. Shelter, rent, food, utilities, heating bills, and expenses other than medical, are some of the things that can be paid for with the financial aid given by TANF. 800-843-6154

General Assistance (GA)
Emergency funds, cash grants and also limited medical care are offered by this program in order to help families and single moms take care of themselves. This program is offered if the recipient does not qualify for other cash programs that are administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS). The family might qualify for a GA Family and Children Assistance (GA-FCA), if a person has children and the family is not eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) aid.

Child Care Assistance Program
For both working and fully employed single moms, as well as low-income families, the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program will provide access to affordable and high quality child care and also grants to help pay for monthly child care bills. 800-843-6154.

Illinois Mortgage Help and Foreclosure Assistance
The state of Illinois offer various programs to help families and single moms in keeping their mortgage current. To help those in need avoid foreclosure, the state and local counties offer resources, most of which are free. 800-532-8785 to contact Governor’s Quinn Mortgage Release Project.

Emergency Rent Assistance and Low Income Housing
Two other emergency rental and housing programs are being run by the state of Illinois handing out funds that will help single moms pay for expenses such as security deposits, first month rent, and back, unpaid housing expenses. To contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development call 202-708-1112.

Housing and Rent Assistance Vouchers
Federal government HUD housing vouchers can help very low income single moms get a portion of their rent paid for. If they meet income and other guidelines, assistance is available for senior citizens as well as the disabled. Call (800) 955-2232 for questions about HUD rental programs, including Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers.

Rental Housing Support Program
Being the nation’s largest state run rental assistance program, the state of Illinois Rental Housing Support assistance program helps thousands of people including single moms pay their rent each month. Rental assistance grants and subsidies are provided for thousands of low income Illinois residents by the RHS program. 312-386-1009

Medical Assistance
Two basic decisions are to be made on how health care will be delivered, if single parent families are eligible for medical assistance from Medicaid through the state of Illinois. The choice is between the following two options. Call 217-782-1200 to contact the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

• Fee-For-Service – Single moms need to find their own clinic or doctor that will accept Medicaid clients, if they decide for the regular fee-for-service medical aid program.
• Managed Care - Single mothers and families will receive the standard, basic health care through a primary care doctor that is associated with and accepted managed care plan. In this case the Illinois managed care plan will help pay with the medical bills.

All Kids (formerly KidCare and Medicaid)
All Kids offers health insurance to children in Illinois. Help with paying for medical bills, no matter what the family income, is what this program offers. 866-255-5437.

FamilyCare
This program offers low cost, very affordable healthcare coverage through either small co-pays or a low cost monthly premium to caregivers, parents or single moms who live with children under 18. 877-204-1012

Access to Care
The Suburban Primary Healthcare Council provides very low cost health insurance to lower income single mothers or uninsured residents of suburban Cook County and areas around northwest Chicago. 708-531-0680.

DuPage Physician's Medical Assistance Program (DPMAP)
For those living in DuPage County this assistance program provides help and financial assistance with medical supplies, prescription bills and health care fees.

Illinois Cares Rx Basic and Plus
This state-sponsored prescription plan aims to help with paying for medicines and drugs that Medicare Part D does not pay for. 800-226-0768.

Get Free Health Care and Ways to Stop Medical Debt Collectors
Aggressive and illegal collection efforts by medical debt collectors are stopped by the laws and regulations that exist in the state of Illinois. To help ensure that patients including single moms, have access to free health care and competitive prices, fair pricing and coverage laws were instated.

Debt Consolidation, Loan Repayment, and/or Credit Counseling
Services from not-for profit credit counseling agencies can be accessed by single moms and individuals in debt. Many of these programs are offered for free or at reduced prices. 800-388-2227 to connect with a National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Certified Consumer Credit Counselor.

Legal Aid in Illinois
Free legal assistance and services are offered by non-profit law firms and lawyers to single mothers, throughout the state of Illinois. Advice and representation on a number of matters is also given.

Government Grants, Employment Opportunities, and Self-sufficiency
A community action agency supports every town and county in Illinois. Help with finding a job, assistance with applying for emergency government grants, and other case management type services is what these non-profit organizations can provide for single moms in need. 217-782-7100 to contact the Work4Illinois Central Office.

Illinois Job Search and Career Building Assistance
Support and career counseling is offered to unemployed single moms and anyone looking to gain a new skill by the Worknet Centers. From job search assistance to help in developing and acquiring new employment skills and experience, single moms can chose a program that best suits the needs. 800-785-6055 to contact the Illinois Worknet Centers.

Crisis Assistance
The Salvation Army, which operates across Illinois, can help with financial assistance or advice, if single moms are faced with unexpected bills or need help paying for basic needs like food, rent, and more.
A number of grants and cash assistance programs are offered by organizations such as the Illinois Department of Human Services and other social service agencies. Medical bills, housing, food, and job training are the types of help single moms can get. 800-843-6154 to contact the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

Nicor Gas Reconnect Assistance
This program was specifically created for those customers and single moms who can’t afford to pay their heating or energy bills. Low income customers who have had their natural gas service disconnected will be assisted through this program. 800-310-0566 to get in touch with Nicor Gas.

Utility and Gas Company Programs
The energy company may directly offer emergency and financial assistance programs. Payment plans, emergency funds, discounts, and energy conservation measure are some of the benefits low income single moms and seniors may qualify for. 800-252-8643 to contact the Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.