Programs and crisis help at the Community Action Partnership of Lake County, IL
For households in Lake County, Illinois that are behind on a utility bill, facing eviction, or running short on food, the Community Action Partnership of Lake County runs programs that may help with each of those situations. It is the county's community action agency — a nonprofit funded mainly by federal and state grants to run anti-poverty programs — and what it offers ranges from heating-bill grants to rent help to making homes more energy efficient.
Most of the agency's help is income-based and meant for people in or near a crisis. The sections below explain, in plain-English, what each program covers and who it is for, so you can tell which ones fit your situation before you call. That being said, the main number to call to get started is (847) 249-4330.
Help with electric, gas, and propane bills
The program most people contact the agency about is energy assistance. Through LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, income-eligible residents may receive a grant that goes toward natural gas, propane, or electric bills. See our guide to LIHEAP energy help in Illinois. The grant is paid on your behalf, and the amount depends on things like household size, income, and fuel type, so the agency works that out when you apply.
There is also a Percentage of Income Payment Plan, or PIPP, which works differently from a one-time grant. Instead of a lump sum, PIPP sets your monthly energy payment as a share of your income and can reduce a past-due balance over time as you keep up with payments. If you heat with propane, it is worth applying early in the fall, since propane tends to cost less before winter and your benefit will cover more.
One related program covers emergencies. If your furnace stops working or is found to be unsafe and your household qualifies for LIHEAP, the agency's furnace assistance may pay to repair or replace it. That is handled by appointment, so call (847) 249-4330 if you are without heat.
Help with rent, mortgage, and emergency shelter
When a sudden financial setback puts your housing at risk, the agency may provide rent or mortgage payment assistance to eligible tenants and homeowners. People living in subsidized housing or using a Section 8 voucher usually are not eligible for this particular help, since their rent is already tied to their income. This is but one option in the county for rental assistance and see the Lake County rent payment assistance page for additional organizations to try.
For people who have nowhere to stay, the agency may also arrange short-term temporary shelter while more stable housing is worked out. This is meant as a short-term option during an emergency, not a long-term placement.
Making a home cheaper to heat and cool
The weatherization program is aimed at lowering your energy bills going forward, not just covering a single month. Known formally as the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program, (website: https://dceo.illinois.gov/communityservices/homeweatherization.html), it makes an income-eligible household's home more energy efficient so it costs less to keep warm in winter and cool in summer.
The process starts with an energy audit of the home, and the results decide what work gets done. That can include adding attic and wall insulation, sealing air leaks, weatherproofing windows and doors, and repairing or replacing the furnace. Trained crews or local contractors do the work, and the home is inspected once it is finished.
Food, eyeglasses, and other help
The agency runs a curbside food pantry for households facing a food shortage, which you may use up to once a month. It is set up for pickup, so you do not need to come inside to get groceries.
Prescription eyeglasses are another form of help the agency may cover for people who qualify. A case manager goes through a needs assessment with you at your appointment, and that same conversation is often how people find out about other programs they did not know they were eligible for. If a need falls outside what the agency handles, its staff can point you toward other local resources, and dialing 2-1-1 reaches Lake County's broader referral line.
Affordable apartments and lease-to-own homes
Beyond short-term crisis help, the agency owns and manages affordable housing in Lake County. That includes rental units and an apartment complex in Antioch, along with single-family houses offered on a lease-to-own basis for people working toward owning a home. Some of this housing is set aside for veterans in Lake County. The number of units is limited and availability varies, so it is worth calling to ask what is open.
Head Start for young children
For income-eligible families with young children, the agency provides early childhood education through Head Start. The program pairs preschool with health, nutrition, and family support services, and it is built around getting children ready for school while connecting their parents to help as well. Call (847) 249-4330 to ask about enrollment and openings.
Scholarships for students
The agency also offers scholarships for local students heading into college, vocational, or other higher education. Lake County community action uses money from Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to help fund this program. Applicants generally need to be a high school senior or already enrolled, live in Lake County, meet income limits, and submit a short essay and a recommendation. The details and deadlines change from year to year, so ask the agency or check its website for the current application. These are obviously limited programs, but see our guide to college scholarships and grants.
Applying by phone or dropbox
The agency now takes most applications by phone, online, or document dropbox rather than walk-in visits. To start, call (847) 249-4330 during weekday business hours, choose the option for services, and ask to be connected to a representative who can set up a phone appointment with a case manager. During that call, the case manager tells you exactly which documents you will need.
Once your documents are ready, you can drop them in one of the agency's lockboxes, which are checked through the day. The main office is at 2424 Washington Street, Suite 207, in Waukegan, and there is a second drop-off location at 213 Water Street in Waukegan. For anything you are unsure about, the agency's website is https://www.caplakecounty.org/, or you can call the number above and ask.
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