Madison County, IL – Financial Assistance Programs.
Madison County has a range of nonprofits, churches, and government programs that may help lower-income residents with utility bills, rent, food, and other urgent needs. Some of the leading agencies (with all programs listed below), such as utility assistance, Madison County Community Development (MCCD) administers LIHEAP and connects residents to weatherization services. For emergency rent or general financial help, Madison County Urban League and Catholic Charities both serve the county, with offices in Alton and Granite City.
Faith communities including Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and Highland Area Christian Service Ministry offer food, utility help, and emergency funds across different parts of the county. Veterans have a dedicated county resource in the Veterans' Assistance Commission. Most programs require proof of income, a photo ID, and proof of residence in the county. For utility emergencies, have your account number and any shutoff notice ready before calling. For housing crises, contact MCCD or the Salvation Army first — both can provide referrals and may have limited funds available. Resources are subject to funding availability and may have waiting periods. Calling ahead before visiting in person is always recommended.
Quick-Reference: Where to Start
- Utility & energy bills (LIHEAP): Madison County Community Development — (618) 692-8940
- Emergency rent / general assistance: Madison County Urban League — (618) 463-1906. Or find other options for emergency rent assistance in Madison County IL.
- Food, clothing, emergency bills: Catholic Charities (Alton) — (618) 462-0634 | Catholic Charities (Granite City) — (618) 877-1184. We also have a dedicated page of other food pantries in Madison County.
- General emergency assistance: Salvation Army — (618) 465-7764
- Veterans: Veterans' Assistance Commission of Madison County — (618) 296-4554
- Seniors (55+): Senior Services Plus — (618) 465-3298
- Need additional options: If you are unsure where to start, the United Way of Greater St. Louis (website: https://helpingpeople.org/united-way-2-1-1/) serves Madison County too and they have information on Illinois's free statewide helpline 2-1-1.
Multiple Types of Financial Assistance & Emergency Aid
Madison County Community Development (MCCD)
MCCD is the county government agency that administers several key safety-net programs for low-income households. It serves as the functional equivalent of a Community Action Agency for Madison County. The agency administers LIHEAP energy bill assistance, which provides one-time help with heating and cooling costs for income-eligible renters and homeowners. It also runs the Weatherization Program, which installs energy-saving measures in eligible homes at no cost. A Housing Rehabilitation Program helps qualified low- and moderate-income homeowners correct code violations and improve safety. The Crisis Hotline handles homeless assistance referrals. Emergency rental assistance runs seasonally — check the MCCD website for current availability.
- LIHEAP applications are accepted by appointment. Priority applications open in October for propane customers and seniors. All other income-eligible households may apply starting in November. Call ahead to schedule. 157 N. Main St., Suite 312, Edwardsville, IL 62025. For LIHEAP appointments: (618) 296-6485. There is also the Main office: (618) 692-8940 as well as Crisis/Homeless Hotline: (618) 296-5300. See more at https://www.madisoncountyil.gov/departments/community_development/index.php.
Catholic Charities of Madison County
Serving the area since 1941. Catholic Charities serves residents of Madison County regardless of religious affiliation. A case manager meets with applicants to review their situation and determine eligibility. Services may include emergency help with rent, utilities, and heating bills. The agency also provides food through its pantry, holiday food baskets, and clothing. A MedAssist program helps residents navigate pharmaceutical assistance programs for prescription costs. Counseling and referrals to other government and community programs are available.
- The rental assistance program in particular covers residents of the Tri-Cities area — Granite City, Madison, Venice — and nearby townships. The Alton office runs a food pantry, and while hours can change, it is usually on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Granite City office serves Tri-Cities and nearby areas. Both offices are open weekdays during business hours. Alton Office: 3512 McArthur Blvd, Alton, IL 62002 — (618) 462-0634. Granite City Office: 1821 Edison Ave, Granite City, IL 62040 — (618) 877-1184 or view at https://cc.dio.org/.
Madison County Urban League (MCUL)
The Urban League is a HUD-approved agency with a primary focus on housing, employment, and education. It offers LIHEAP energy assistance, emergency rent help, homeless prevention and rapid rehousing, housing and foreclosure counseling, and landlord-tenant mediation. Budget and debt counseling is also available. The Alton-area office handles Hartford, Riverbend, Godfrey, Bethalto, Roxana, South Roxana, East Alton, Cottage Hills, and Meadowbrook. Funding is limited — call early in the program year for best availability. 408 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002. Main: (618) 877-8860. Rent/Housing line: (618) 463-1906. View at https://ulmadisonco.org/,
Salvation Army of Madison County
Serving the region for decades, the Salvation Army offers last-resort emergency assistance to county residents. Emergency food is available once a month. Utility assistance — including gas, electric, heating, and water bills — may be available when there is a shutoff notice. Emergency rent assistance is also offered. School uniforms and supplies are available for families with children. Holiday programs include Christmas food baskets, meals, and toys for children. A Booth House shelter provides emergency housing options. Most services require an appointment. A second location in Granite City serves the eastern part of the county. View at https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/midland/alton/.
- Alton Corps: 525 Alby St, Alton, IL 62002 — (618) 465-7764
- Granite City 360 Life Center: 3007 E. 23rd St, Granite City, IL 62040 — (618) 451-7957
Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Edwardsville Conference
This partnership of local churches may be able to help with first month's rent, eviction prevention, emergency transportation costs, or licensed childcare expenses. Home visits are required to verify need before assistance is provided. Cash grants for emergency expenses may be available when need is verifiable. Call the main number to reach the Edwardsville conference or be connected to a local parish conference in your area of the county. 110 N. Buchanan St, Edwardsville, IL 62025. (800) 775-0712
Highland Area Christian Service Ministry (HACSM)
HACSM serves families in the Highland school district area, including Highland, Grantfork, Alhambra, New Douglas, Pierron, Marine, and St. Jacob. Founded nearly 30 years ago as a food pantry, the organization now provides case management, emergency utility and rent assistance, help applying for SNAP, LIHEAP, and medical benefits, school supplies, and seasonal holiday programs. Case managers are available Monday through Thursday mornings. The food pantry is open the same hours and allows eligible households to visit twice monthly. 900 Chestnut St, Highland, IL 62249. (618) 654-9295. View https://hacsmfoodpantry.org/.
Riverbend Family Ministries
Riverbend Family Ministries offers utility assistance for residents of Madison County, including help with energy bills through its own funds when LIHEAP funding is exhausted. Eligibility requires that the applicant has lived at their current address for at least six months and that the outstanding balance does not exceed a set limit. Call ahead to confirm current funding availability and eligibility criteria before visiting. 144 E Ferguson Ave, Wood River, IL 62095. (618) 251-9790
General Assistance — City of Alton & Madison County Towns
Each town in Madison County provides a form of general assistance for residents with little or no income. Emergency rent help may be available for residents facing a legal eviction notice who are pending a state or federal assistance application. A second general assistance program does not require an eviction notice and may pay limited funds toward housing expenses. Assistance is provided at most once per year. Contact the Alton office below or your own town's supervisor's office for the program in your area. City of Alton general assistance: (618) 462-0091
Community Hope Center
Founded 1988, and located in Cottage Hills, Community Hope Center provides food, clothing, housewares, and spiritual care to over a thousand residents each month. The food pantry is open a few days per week. A drive-through food distribution runs as well. An evening distribution is available often one day per week. Grab-and-go sack lunches are available on pantry days.
- In addition to food and clothing services, Community Hope Center operates a portable medical unit with on-site doctors and nurses providing free basic medical care. Call ahead to confirm current medical clinic hour. The center serves residents throughout the county. 1201 Hope Center Lane, Cottage Hills, IL 62018. (618) 259-0959. View https://chcil.org/.
Glen-Ed Pantry
Serves eastern Madison County, including Edwardsville, Collinsville, Hamel, Troy, Maryville, and Worden. In addition to food, Glen-Ed may have limited rent assistance funds for residents in its service area. (618) 656-7506
Senior Assistance
Senior Services Plus, Inc.
The agency has been serving seniors for nearly 50 years. Senior Services Plus serves residents age 55 and older in Madison County with a broad range of programs aimed at independent living. Services include Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals for homebound seniors), non-medical in-home care, information and assistance navigating benefits programs, and an Ombudsman program that advocates for seniors in long-term care facilities. Emergency assistance for basic needs and occasional bills may also be available. Two offices serve different parts of the county. The main Alton campus is open most days of the week with extended hours; the East Alton office operates on weekdays during business hours. View https://seniorservicesplus.org/.
- Main office: 2603 N. Rodgers Ave, Alton, IL 62002 — (618) 465-3298
- Madison County office: 655 Berkshire Blvd, East Alton, IL 62024 — (618) 462-1391
Veterans Assistance
Veterans' Assistance Commission of Madison County (VAC)
The VAC is a county government office that serves honorably discharged veterans, their families, and unremarried surviving spouses. Services include emergency and interim financial assistance for rent, utilities, and heating bills when a shutoff or eviction is threatened. The office also handles VA benefits claims filing, healthcare enrollment, military records requests, and employment support. Bring your DD-214 discharge papers, a photo ID showing Madison County residence, current income statements, and any shutoff or eviction notices. Financial assistance is paid by voucher directly to the vendor — not in cash. 157 N. Main St., Suite 115, Edwardsville, IL 62025. (618) 296-4554. Email: [email protected] or view https://www.madisoncountyil.gov/departments/veterans_assistance_commission/.
Housing Programs - Emergency Shelters
Several emergency housing options exist in the county for specific populations. ARCH House provides emergency shelter for single men dealing with substance issues — call (618) 877-4987. Good Samaritan House serves women and their children — call (618) 876-0607. Oasis Women's Center — (618) 465-1978 — and Phoenix Crisis Center — (618) 451-1118 — serve women and children fleeing domestic violence. Salvation Army Booth House offers additional shelter options — call (618) 465-7764. The Madison County Transitional Housing Program provides temporary housing and supportive services, including career counseling, for individuals with disabilities and families with children — call (618) 692-8940.
Health Care — Low-Cost & Free Clinics
Central Alton Health Center
Provides primary care on a free or low-cost basis to uninsured and low-income patients. Services include family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, family planning, cervical cancer screening, immunizations, laboratory services, asthma care, substance abuse services, and referrals to specialists. 2615 Edwards St., Suite 171, Alton, IL 62002. (618) 462-4342. View https://www.sihf.org/health-center/alton.
Bunker Hill Clinic
Provides family medical care on a sliding fee scale for low-income and uninsured patients. Discounted prescription medications and dental services are available. Serves residents in the Bunker Hill and surrounding areas of Madison County. 144 S Washington St, Bunker Hill, IL 62014. (618) 585-6290
Bethalto Health Center
Offers affordable primary medical care for patients in the Bethalto and East Alton area. Serves low-income and uninsured patients. Call ahead to confirm hours and available services. 2 Terminal Dr., Suite 8, East Alton, IL 62024. (618) 258-0485. See https://www.sihf.org/health-center/bethalto.
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