Illinois State Assistance For Single Mothers
Help For Single Moms In Illinois
Illinois is an interesting mix if rural and city life. No matter where you live in the Land of Lincoln, if you are trying to raise your kids on one income you may find that you need help from time to time. The state offers several programs to help single moms make ends meet and give their kids a healthy start to life.
Childcare – The Illinois Department of Human Services offers childcare assistance to needy families who need a way to go back to work, head back to school, or finish their high school degree. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is offered based on income. If you do not qualify, consider partnering with another family who works an opposite shift to share childcare duties or utilizing the help of relatives who may be home when you are working.
Healthcare – Affording medical care for your children is a challenge when you live on one income. If you do not have adequate healthcare coverage for your family, you may be able to get help through the state’s Medicaid programs (http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/). FamilyCare (http://www.familycareillinois.com/) offers coverage for adults who are the primary caregivers for children 18 or younger. The program, which is offered based on income, covers all types of care, including dental and vision. Any child in the state of Illinois who does not have full insurance coverage can get coverage through AllKids (http://www.allkids.com/), regardless of the parent’s income. Families with higher incomes will pay a fee for the coverage, but it is available.
Food and Supplies – Single moms often struggle to buy healthy food for their kids. Illinois offers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to needy families. eligibility is based on income and family size. SNAP is awarded through the Illinois Link system (http://www.dhs.state.il.us/), which also provides cash assistance to very needy families through an electronic debit card. WIC is another program offered to families with young children or pregnant women.
Transportation – Moms who are eligible for WIC can get transportation assistance through the WIC office. Most major Illinois cities operate an affordable public transportation system, offering single moms a reliable way to get to and from work.
Rent Assistance – the Illinois Housing Development Authority offers assistance with paying for rent through the Rental Housing Support Program (http://www.ihda.org/). This offers needy families access to subsidized rent apartments or homes. It is one of the largest rent assistance programs in the nations. The IHDA also offers several Section 8 housing options (http://www.ihda.org/). Single moms living in the city of Chicago will find that other options exist because of the high cost of living in the state’s largest city.
Educational Grants – The Internet makes going back to school all the more possible for single moms. To find aid, file the FAFSA and talk to your school’s department of financial aid. A variety of state specific programs are also available to Illinois residents leaded back to school. Also be sure to research school scholarships for more financial assistance options.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
hello,
my name is shannon and i would like to know if there is any kind of assistance towards paying for medicine for a child with adhd. I do not get any kind of help from the father and my daughters medicine is very expensive, i really need some kind of help.
thank you
shannon salinas
Depending on where you stay,you can apply for a clinic card.if you live in the peoria and or surrounding cities,you can apply for a free clinic card at osf st francis the number is 309)624-9690 to get what time you need to go in.
I have recently moved to Chicago and the people I was staying with have giving me 2 weeks to move. Are there any programs, or shelters that would take myself and my two children in right away? Thanks
Evette,
Check into a program that is called TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Single Mom Support Team
Are there any alternative cash assistance programs in the state of Illinois . I’ve tried TANF, and it’s really hard to get help.
Yes, I agree TANF is quite hard to get money from. They really check before they give out money or loans. Be persistent and hopefully you will be approved soon.
Are there any programs besides Liheap for help with utility bills? Liheap told me the first appointment for applying is Nov 16th and I have a shut off notice now
Heather,
Depending on what county you live in, liheap does take walk-INS on certain days of the week. You have to get there early, because there is usually a line. Also, if you do get shut off, it expedites the whole process! If it happens, call liheap immediately, and they can usually get you turned back on within 24 hours! Good luck!
Heather,
Did you try local churches? There are many churches here in central Illinois that have programs and there is also Illinois Valley that help pay. The sad thing is that I know many families who take advantage of these programs so they run low pretty quickly.
I am expecting my first child, & I will soon have to go on maternity leave, I wont have an income & my child, father & I are not together, I am staying with family but would like to have an apartment, is there any kind of program that offers housing assistance?
You can try the HIP, Housing Initiative Program and they could most probably help you out.
I have to go to homeless shelter cause have no family or cash. What if kids dont go. Will meds for ms be gone cause dont have kids just disabled
You can look into receiving State assistance . You can also contact HIP which is the Housing Initiative Program that helps provide homes and TANF who provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Good luck!
how would i get in ontact with them??
You can check out their websites and they usually have contact numbers. Be patient, but they should get back to you soon.
Hello,
You can contact HIP which is the Housing Initiative Program and they help provide homes, Being a
single mom you can also receive housing grants.
Hope this helps!
Does anyone know where i can get help on first months rent and deposit i am a single mother of 3 children and bouncing from house to house i really need this apartment that i found just cant afford the 800 deposit and the 350 rent for first month. I have called first call for help and cant get threw. please tell me who i can contact or who can help me out. thanks for reading.
Hello,
You can receive Grants for Single mothers
and you can look into receiving state assistance.
Hope this helps!
Do you know of any programs for single teen moms? I recently had to quit my full time job so I can finish getting my associates, so I will be able to gain a higher income, so I am currently unemployed and still needing to provide for my daughter. I would like to know of any programs where I can get assistance with an apartment, of their choice or what have you, where I can pay a portion of the rent when I find a part time job ( I have been searching ) while I am going to school so I can get on my feet. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Hello-
You can receive Housing Grants for Single mother or you can contact HIP which is the Housing Initiative Program that can also help provide you a home.
Hope this helps.
I am a single mom of 2. I have been fortunate to recieve state childcare help while I work full time. We have been staying with family paying low rent but now we have been given notice that we need to find somewhere else to live. I can barely get by as is now. I tried the http://www.ihda.org/ link that you have listed and it is not working. I don’t know where to begin looking for help for housing. Can anyone give me suggestions?
You can receive Housing grants for Single mothers.
What other housing assistance programs are available in Lake County, IL? I have been to the housing authority office and there waiting list is closed, and the only assistance they are offering is for sending citizens. I have also looked into some of the apartment complexs that offer reduced rents, but most of those places have full wait lists also.
My husband had affair i became disabled cannot work having so many multiple sclerosis attacks cannot see or walk. He is throwing me out without a dime or vehicle. Stealing kidsand all i cannot take. He let twelve people kick me in head instead of helping me while at space we lease to bbq no insurance to cover. Got il medicaid will itcget taken away can he turn off phone and take children. Just had to call police cause he beat me 3days in a row had to not file charges he said wouldnt get to spend xmas ir sons bday with him what can i do police took pics of all bruises he didnt beat me till got ms. Feel worthless cant do anything at all for help. Please comment suggestions.
Hello,
You can a couple of things.
Being a single mom you can receive Housing Grants and State Assistance.
You can also contact TANF who help provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and DHS which is the Department of human services to
further assist you.
Good Luck.
hi i’m looking for help with housing for myself, a single mom of 5. i can’t find anyone without a waiting list of less than a year and i need something asap. thanks for any help
You can receive Housing Grants and/or you may contact your HIP which, is housing initiative program.
I will be possibley moving to IL (tinley park area to be exact) and I am wondering what kind of assisance is available for housing. If there is a program where I can chose where I want to live or if I have to live in a specific place to recive assistance.
Hello,
You can see if this information according to your State can be of any assistance to you. Furthermore, you can receive housing grants for being a single mom.
Hi I am currently in a difficult situation. My boyfriend and I have split up.and I have a 17month old.child at home that I have to care for. I only only work part time and I cannot afford rent on my own. And even if I wanted to stay in the apartment I’m at now I cant because the building is up for foreclosure. I am having a hard time and really need assistance. If anyone reads this and knows of a way they can help please reply and/or email me. Thank you so much.
-Hopeful mommy.
I would recommend trying the HIP (Housing Initiative Program). They usually have great helpful tips.
hi i’m 17 and i’ll be 18 in june of this year. I am a single mom and would like to move out into an aprtment of my own but i have an extremely low income. I do not work well with roommates so i was wondering if there were any programs that could help me get a subsidized apartment for my daughter and I in illinois. i need it be in illinois because i do not have my iscense or car yet and i’ll need to be near work. if thereis anyone that knows of a program that can help me with my problem please feel free to reply.
Hello,
You can contact HIP which is the Housing Initiative Program who help provide homes and/or being a single mom you can receive a housing grant for single mothers.
Furthermore, you can receive state assistance for being a singe mother.
Hi, im a single mother of 2 and one on the way. Next month, im gonna move to berwyn, il with my mom. I want to have an apartment of my own since she doesn’t have enough place for me and my kids. Where I have to go for housin assistance, section 8 or single mother’s help?
Hello,
You can look into receiving state assistance or you can also receive housing grants.
Hope this helps!
My husband and I are separated, but still living under the same roof because I’m not working and we’re trying to do what’s best for our son. Does being separated make me qualify for state assistance? I want to go back to school and make something of myself so I can take care of myself and my son. I’m looking for childcare assistance and help with food.
Hello,
You can receive college grants for single mothers and receive food stamps if you qualify.
You can look into receive state assistance.
Hope this helps!
I’m currently living with my parents & have a 2 month old daughter. I am really trying to get out because 6 people in a 3 bedroom house is tooo too cluttered now. I am in the Chicago heights area & any advice or suggestions for rent assistance is very appreciated.
You can receive Housing Grants for Single Moms,
you can also look into receiving state assistance.