Sangamon County assistance programs.

Organizations that provide resources and help for bills

With the weak economy leading to many more families experiencing economic struggles, more people are asking for help from nonprofit groups, charities, and government agencies in order to keep a roof over their heads and get funds to pay the bills. Two places that people can turn to for help include Catholic Charities and also the Sangamon County Department of Community Resources.

Springfield Catholic Charities - This organization is seeing hundreds of people who have never asked for assistance before. These families and individuals are struggling due to the weak economy, and they are at the point where they have no where else to turn to. Almost 7,000 families received help from the organization in fiscal year 2009, and the demand has been increasing since then,

Catholic Charities provides several different programs, including food, rental assistance, utility and heating bill assistance, emergency medications and various other services to families throughout the entire year. Contact them at (217) 523-9201.

Energy Bill Assistance Programs

The Sangamon County Department of Community Resources administers both of these federal government funded programs.

• Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - The LIHEAP program was designed to help both low and middle income households pay for winter energy services and heating bills. Qualified applicants can receive a one-time cash grant / benefit to be used for paying energy and heating bills. Almost 10,000 families received help last year in Sangamon County.
   
• Weatherization Assistance - The IHWAP program provides energy conservation resources and services (such as wall and attic insulation, storm windows,  weather stripping, caulking, glazing, etc.) to income eligible clients based on their total household income for the preceding twelve months for all members who live in the household. In addition, furnace tune-ups, retrofits, repairs, and even new heating units are included with dollar limits for all work done. An on site as well as a computerized energy audit is done to determine what items can be accomplished within the limit.

 

 

 

Other programs offered by the Department of Community Resources includes:

• Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) - This program was created to provide services and resources that assist low-income people. The program will help them gain the skills, knowledge, education, and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency over the long term. However, help is also available for short term challenges. Components of the program include:
• Rental assistance, short-term prescription medication, emergency dental services, emergency summer fans, utility bill help
• Scholarships and grants for higher education expenses. Click here to find other scholarship programs.
• Economic development loans to small businesses
   
• Clothing and school supplies - School aged children may be able to get free clothing and other school supplies.
   
• Emergency Assistance - This is wide ranging and includes funds for emergency rent, dental needs (such as dentures), prescription drugs and medications, and transportation.

 

 

Get help with food, prescriptions, clothing, rent, utility, mortgage and heating bills, travel assistance and more.

Contact Ministries is now assisting almost 1000 families per month, and they have several different programs and resources for people in need. They can provide grants for paying rent, free prescription drugs, mortgage counseling, free clothing and more. They can also refer people to other programs and help people deal with debt collectors.

In addition to these programs that are directly offered by Contact Ministries, the agency can also help process people receiving assistance through City Water, Light and Power’s PROJECT RELIEF program, which helps customers pay electric and water bills.

The agency is located at 1100 East Adams Street in Springfield, Illinois. Or you can call them at (217) 753-3939 to apply or learn more about their assistance programs.

The Sangamon County and Springfield Illinois Salvation Army is another local non-profit charity organization.  They can be reached at 217-525-2196. Every year thousands of people receive aid. Some of the resources provided include free food, vouchers for clothing, assistance finding a job, and limited financial assistance for bills, such as utility, heating, and rent.