Governmental Resources Regarding Health and Local Updates

• City of Chicago Guidance

• Illinois COVID-19 Response

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Financial Resources

• Residents in the Chicago Metro Area who are at risk of eviction and/or homelessness can apply for emergency financial assistance by calling the Homelessness Prevention Call Center, where staff will evaluate their eligibility for financial assistance and other community resources.

  • Residents living in the City of Chicago can access this resource by calling 3-1-1 or 312-744-5000 and asking for “Short-Term Help.” The call center is open from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Thursday.

  • Residents living in Suburban Cook County can access this resource by calling 1-877-426-6515.

• Residents can apply for unemployment online if they have lost their job.

• Residents who are tipped workers or service workers who have lost their job may be eligible to apply for emergency assistance through One Fair Wage’s Emergency Coronavirus Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund

• Residents can check eligibility and apply online for cash assistance and other assistance programs.

• Chicago Public Schools is offering free high-speed internet to families in need. To see if you are eligible for this program, visit the Chicago Connected website.

Food Assistance

• Residents can apply online for SNAP (food stamps)

• Residents with children enrolled in a CPS school (including CPS charters) can continue to find locations for grab & go meals for each of their children.

• Residents in Chicago and Suburban Cook County can find nearby food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile food distribution centers on the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s website.

• The Greater Chicago Food Depository can also provide assistance registering for SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid. Residents should call 773-843-5416, or fill out a referral form.

For Residents with Permanent Subsidies

• If a resident has a resident-based subsidy like a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) they should immediately contact the agency that provides the subsidy and request an interim recertification of their income if they have lost their job or have had a reduction in income. 

  • If the resident can document loss of income, the housing authority or other agency will reduce the resident’s rent portion and increase the amount of the rent that the agency’s payment will cover.