Peoria County assistance programs

Housing assistance and help with utility bills

The city of Peoria is releasing hundreds of thousands of dollars of aid to help residents pay utility bills, and therefore be able to stay in their homes. The city received almost $1 million in homeless prevention funds from the US Department of Housing as part of the larger Obama federal government stimulus package. The city will be using the money to provide utility bill assistance. For example, say a family received an electric service shutoff notice from Ameren, then Peoria would use these energy funds of up to $1,500 per household to pay that utility bill. The reason they can justify this from the federal program is because if your utilities are turned off for non payment,  then in effect, you become homeless and can’t live in the home.

The city says that there are two large financial liabilities struggling families have, those being rent and electric bills. Since the aid can’t be used to help with rent payments, they decided to focus on providing help for utility bills and maybe even perhaps if they can help someone pay their outstanding utility bill, then they can use other money to pay their rent.

Many organizations will disburse the grants. The city is contacting and reaching out to charities and organizations that help with paying utility bills, such as the the Center for Prevention of Abuse ((309) 637-3905) or Friendship House (phone (309) 671-5200), and the city and these groups will help people who are in need.

 

 

 

Medical services and health care

Children can receive health care from the Children's Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Phone number (309) 655-7171. Call them to learn more, or to make an appointment.

Another clinic in Peoria is the Heartland Community Health Clinic. The facility is a Federal Government Qualified Health Care Clinic, and doctors, nurses, and other volunteers provide access to high-quality, low cost and affordable comprehensive primary health care. The clinic focuses its services on the low income and the area's medically underserved population. Call (309) 680-7600 to make an appointment.

Legal help, including foreclosures

Attorneys from Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. ((309) 674-983) provide free legal services (civil law cases) for low to moderate income families, individuals, and senior citizens in Illinois. They can provide information on Illinois free foreclosure assistance, or offer other legal aid. For example, get help with evictions, utility service disconnections, and other free legal aid. Click here to learn more, or call them at (309) 674-9831.

 

 

Find help for bills and emergency programs in Peoria

If you are facing a crisis or short term hardship, call the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service. They offer several different youth and adult programs. Access emergency services for bills and expenses. They also partner with the Dress for Success program, which offers free work attire. (309) 671-5200

The Salvation Army, also based in Peoria, administers several services and resources for people in need. Gain access to child and day care; youth and senior programs; emergency shelter, rent assistance, and other housing support, disaster services. Dial (309) 655-7220.

Also contact the local community action agency, the Peoria Citizens Committee For Economic Opportunity, Inc. Phone number (309) 671-3900. They offer, among other services and resources, The Friendship House. This service offers emergency service programs, grants for bills and expenses, and other aid which will help families and individuals with paying their rent and utility bill payments to help deter homelessness. They also offer prescription drug assistance. Other services offered include free food, providing diapers, household products, infant formula and layettes.