Lake County assistance programs.

Find information on several charities and nonprofit organizations, as well as the local community action agency. There is information on the aid and assistance programs they offer, as well as find their contact info below.

Rent help

There are a few local organization to turn to. They include the Community Action Partnership of Lake County, Catholic Charities, Maristella, Lake County Housing Authority, and the Salvation Army. They will provide help with rent, security deposits, and other housing expenses as funding allows. Prairie State Legal Services, Inc provides legal counseling for those who are facing an eviction. Find their phone numbers at bottom.

Emergency Assistance Program

This is offered by the Community Action Partnership of Lake County. Financial assistance and cash grants are provided on a one-time basis to individuals and families who qualify for the emergency program. The funds can be used to pay an energy bill, rent, or for a health care expense or medical bill. The agency also operates a Food Pantry and a Thrift Shop on site that assist with providing free clothing and other housing needs. These facilities are open to clients based on need or through referral from other local social service agencies or charities. Dial (847) 249-4330.

 

 

 

Energy Bill Assistance -LIHEAP and Weatherization

Assistance for energy bills is available in two separate components from Community Action Partnership of Lake County. (847) 249-4330.

The LIHEAP program was designed to assist low to moderate income households with paying for a portion of their winter energy bills and expenses. The LIHEAP program provides a one-time annual cash grant to qualified. The grant is used to pay heating and utility bills.

Weatherization is a federal government funded assistance program that was designed to aid low-income families, the elderly and the disabled by reducing home energy costs. The Weatherization upgrades and work will be performed on the homes of qualified, low-income families. It is free to qualified families, and can help them save hundreds of dollars per year. The program includes insulating attics, repairing and replacing heating systems and furnaces, weather-stripping, installing storm windows, caulking and making other minor home repairs or improvements. These home improvements will in effect increase the energy efficiency of the home, and they will thereby reduce the amount of energy that is needed to either heat and cool homes. Contact the community action agency to apply.

Catholic Charities (number at bottom of page) also has limited funds that can help pay a heating or utility bill, if the customer is facing a disconnection of their service.

 

 

Mortgage, Rent and Foreclosure Assistance

Homeowners who are facing foreclosure have resources as well. The Mortgage Foreclosure Help Desk was created with the assistance of the Lake County Bar Association (phone (847) 244-3143). The Help Desk has volunteer paralegals and lawyers that are stationed outside of Lake County Illinois courtrooms where foreclosure cases are heard. These attorneys will assist those homeowners with the foreclosure if they have no private counsel. Learn more about other Illinois foreclosure assistance programs.

Another government agency to call is Lake County Housing Authority. They provide Rental Assistance Programs. Mortgage and Foreclosure Counseling and Family Self-sufficiency Programs. Dial (847) 223-1170.

Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County also provides housing counseling and foreclosure prevention services. Dial (847) 263-7478.

Health Care and Prescription Drugs

Two charities and non-profit organizations to turn to for help include HealthReach, Inc. as well as Catholic Charities. Both of these groups may be able to refer people to prescription assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies. Click here to learn more.

Or they may also be able to provide patents with grants or other forms of financial assistance to pay for prescription drugs. HealthReach can also offer health screenings as well as diagnostic services.

Another community clinic to contact is HealthReach (Open Door) - Mundelein. They provide Prescription/Medicine Assistance, Health Care, Counseling, and Prevention. Dial 847-360-8800.

Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center has a location in North Chicago as well as Waukegan Illinois. The facility offers low income and the under and uninsured with numerous medical and health care programs. Receive medical examinations, Prescription Drug and Medicine Assistance; Programs for Senior Citizens - Services; and also Well Baby Clinics. Dial 847-377-8400, or also find information on Illinois medical debt collection laws.

Food and groceries in Lake County

Northern Illinois Food Bank Lake County Branch, which is based in Park City, and can be reached at (847) 336-3663 provides food, groceries, and other aid.

Other places to call for free food, vouchers, or food commodities include Waukegan based Christian Fellowship Church ((847) 336-1815), Northern Chicago Emmanuel Faith Bible Christian Center (phone (847) 473-4854), Holy Family Food Pantry ((847) 623-2112) and also People to People Distribution Center (847-201-2777). There are many others, but these are just a few examples.

Debt counseling and agencies that can help people get out of debt

If you need help with getting out of debt or getting your financial future under control, call Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Lake County at 815-338-5757. The agency offers such services as credit counseling and repair. They can also help people deal with credit card and medical debts, as well as provide bankruptcy advice.

Lake County Illinois organizations that provide assistance

HealthReach, Inc. is located in Waukegan, Illinois and can be reached at (847) 360-8800. Prairie State Legal Services, Inc has a phone number of (847) 662-6925. Call Maristella at (847) 367-5360. Catholic Charities has several locations around Lake County, and they can be reached at (847) 782-4000. Or stop by  Community Action Partnership of Lake County at 1200 Glen Flora Avenue, Waukegan, IL or call them at (847) 249-4330.

Call any of these charities or organizations to apply for help or learn more about their programs.