Champaign Assistance Programs

Rental Assistance

Champaign Illinois is starting a rental assistance program using funds and grants provided by the federal government. This assistance program will help families who are people struggling to pay their rent.

The rental assistance program will start small, and may only help less than 20 families per month. However there will be an all out effort to work intensively with people in Champaign to help them become economically self-sufficient and help them with all financial matters and bills.

Update: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus plan) is proving additional assistance to Champaign Illinois. The program will provide almost $64,000 in new money for emergency shelter, food, and rental assistance in Champaign County. The United Way (217-352-5151) will manage this aid, working with local charities.

Those Champaign families who participate in the program will be expected to contribute financially toward their rent payments. However, the amount they need to pay will vary depending on factors such as whether the tenant is going to school, whether they have a job, and other criteria.

The main focus of the program is to provide rent assistance and to also provide guidance and possibly aid with other bills. Find additional ways to get rent assistance.

 

 

 

Affordable health and medical care

Contact or stop by the Frances Nelson Health Center, which has as its goal the mission of providing health and medical care accessible to all people is a primary goal of our Healthy Community Initiative. The services will be low cost, and high quality. (217) 356-1558

Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

This is the local community action agency (phone (217) 328-3313) and they offer several services and assistance programs.

Emergency Rent Assistance Program - This helps both the near-homeless and currently homeless individuals and households obtain housing, pay for rent and retain housing. Services provided in this emergency rent program include information and referral on Illinois and government programs, assistance with landlord negotiations, emergency rent assistance, and housing counseling.

Heating and utility bills - The federal government created Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for utility and heating bills and other energy services.

Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) - this program is designed to help low income and other qualified residents save fuel and money on their energy bills, while also increasing the comfort of their homes.

Scholarship programs - The Champaign Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides Scholarships that are awarded to assist low-income persons to obtain post-secondary and other education as a means to increase self-sufficiency and improve income.

Information and possible assistance for bills

Salvation Army, Emergency Social Services of Champaign Illinois offers a wide range of assistance programs and counseling to the low income in the community. They may also provide the Warm Neighbors Program (AmerenIP) assistance, the H2O Project for IL American Water, $50 prescription assistance per year for patients, $50 clothing voucher. Emergency food, clothing, household items, and eve free furniture with Red Cross referral. Call (217) 373-7825.

 

 

Eastern Illinois Foodbank may be able to provide free food, groceries and other other household good and products to those in need. Dial (217) 328-3663

Catholic Charities of Champaign Illinois (217.352.5179) may have a food pantry, emergency crisis intervention and assistance, and may be able to direct struggling families to programs that can payment, utility and heating bills, and provide other forms of financial assistance.

Family Service of Champaign County is a social service agency that offers numerous assistance programs. Among them include information on financial assistance, senior citizen programs, meals on wheels, and transportation. A program known as First Call for Help can direct people to local charities, government programs, and non-profits. The non-profit may also be able to provide limited emergency assistance available to qualifying families and individuals, including free food, rent, utilities, heating bills, prescription medicines, and limited transportation. Call (217)352-0099

Helping Hands of Mahomet offers food ,clothing, and household products. Call (217) 586-3392.

Energy, heating, and utility bill help from Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Call the Urbana agency at (217) 384-1226. They may be able to provide cash grants and other energy bill assistance programs.

Consumer Credit Counseling of East Central Illinois - This non-profit organization provides budget counseling, foreclosure assistance and other debt management services to Champaign Illinois consumers. Call (217) 398-2227 or click here for more financial aid programs.

Lincoln Land Credit Counseling - Another group that can provide counseling and debt management services for people and low income in financial trouble. (217) 239-4360