|
Assistance programs Sangamon County
Find how to get financial help for bills and basic needs in Sangamon County. Locate charities, churches, and government agencies that provide grants to help with housing (rent or mortgage payments), free medical or dental care as well as food or job programs. There is also money for paying utility or water bills as well as free stuff in Springfield Illinois. Get financial assistance for bills near you in Sangamon County from the programs listed below.
Any funds for paying bills or housing costs, including from the Department of Community Resources or other agencies, is combined with case management for struggling families. The low-income, elderly and disabled in Springfield IL can get emergency or long term financial help as well as debt reduction services, free budgeting support and more.
Get assistance from Community Action programs
The Sangamon County Department of Community Resources is the local community action agency for government grant money, career or job services and other support. The non-profit administers a number of 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. In general, hundreds of families receive help 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, free 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 social 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, as well as free emergency dental services. Or get emergency summer fans or AC units as well as utility bill help
- Scholarships and grants for higher education expenses. The goal is to help youth get the education and skills they need. Click here to find other free college scholarships.
- Economic development loans to small businesses
- Clothing and school supplies - School aged children may be able to get free clothing, backpacks, laptops 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, clothing, rent, utility bills, mortgages and free stuff in the Springfield area
Springfield Catholic Charities - This organization is seeing hundreds of people who have never asked for assistance before. Catholic Charities provides several different programs, including free food as well as immediate rental assistance. There may be a few dollars for utility and heating bill assistance or prescription medications and various other services to families throughout the entire year.
A big goal is to help single mothers in Springfield Illinois, immigrants and the working poor. Contact them at (217) 523-9201. More on Catholic Charities Sangamon assistance programs.
Contact Ministries is now assisting hundreds of struggling families per month. The charity has several different assistance programs and resources for people in need. They can provide grants for paying rent, free prescription drugs, as well as professional mortgage counseling. Or get free furniture as well as 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,. This program helps customers pay electric and water bills.
The agency is located at 1100 E Adams St, Springfield, IL 62703. Or you can call them at (217) 753-3939 to apply or learn more about their financial assistance programs. Learn more on Contact Ministries 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 financial aid, free stuff or shop at the thrift store. Some of the resources provided include free food, vouchers for clothing, assistance finding a job, and limited financial assistance for paying bills.
Funds are limited and not everyone qualified. But locate help with utility, heating bills or propane, and rent. There are also seasonal resources such as free school supplies or Christmas toys from Angel Tree, as well as winter homeless shelters. Locate more Sangamon Salvation Army programs.
- Other support is offered the state too. The Salvation Army provides a wide range of services in the county and statewide for that matter. While they do their best to assist the less fortunate and offer them direct financial aid, in some cases loans may be issued for paying the expenses the client has or they offer referrals. Find more on Illinois Salvation Army centers.
Several utility programs (water and electric) are available. There is everything from Project RELIEF to charitable grants and payment plans. The goal is to always help the customer keep their lights, water, and even sewer service running. More on Springfield Illinois utility bill assistance.
Capital Township – The center offers a number of resources and assistance programs. Among them include the following. Receive emergency rental help. The location also provides transitional assistance so people can find new, affordable homes or apartments to live in, including with no waiting list. Other services help with paying utilities and clothing and food assistance. Health care services include medical and dental care, eye wear and prescriptions, and physician services. A workfare program can also help people find jobs.
Free food assistance is available in an emergency by Capitol Township. It is offered for perishable orders, and low income, the unemployed and senior citizens can receive help. Limited amount of free dental care is provided. The clothing is limited to up to $25, and eyeglasses are only offered if the need was verified by Catholic Charities.
For people to get help from many of the programs, they need to be referred by a social service office. The programs are run from an office at 2833 S Grand Ave E, Springfield, IL 62703. Call (217) 525-1736.
Free furniture and household supplies are available. There is stuff for the working poor, formerly homeless as well as veterans or single parents. Everything from beds to couches, mattresses, tables, desks for a job and more items may be offered from a free furniture bank. Some items are new and others gently used. Find free furniture near you.
Helping Hands Of Springfield, Inc. is a leading social service agency in Sangamon County. Their mission is to, among other things, provide homeless shelter for homeless adults in Springfield Illinois and help people meet a variety of other needs. This can also help single moms or veterans who are homeless.
The agency provides support services aimed at helping the working poor, low income and homeless overcome personal problems as well as achieve a higher level of independence and self-sufficiency. So this can include job training programs, short term financial help, and other support. The address is 1023 E Washington St, Springfield, IL 62703, call 217-522-0048, or learn more on Springfield Helping Hands programs.
Fishes & Loaves Outreach Ministries is based at 3519 Sheffield Rd, Springfield, IL 62703. The non-profit distributes financial assistance, food, clothing, counseling, baby items, and household items. There may be diapers or wipes, free cribs or maternity clothes, formula and more. Dial (217) 529-3333
Hope Thrift Store sells low cost items such as clothing, furniture, and household supplies. There may be appliances, gently used computers, beds, mattresses and other stuff for sale. Stop by 1800 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62702. Or call (217) 527-8414
Kumler Church Neighborhood Ministries – Can be able to provide prescription medications for low income and uninsured people with long-term, life-threatening medical problems. Main number is 21-523-2269
Free help is available during the holidays. Charities feed the poor and hungry, or they give free toys, Christmas gifts, and presents to children. Everyone from the Salvation Army to Family Centers offer either assistance and/or referrals. More on Sangamon County free holiday programs.
Abundant Faith Supportive Services administers several services. They include free or affordable childcare as well as transitional housingg. There is also limited rental or utility assistance, Transportation, Food and clothing. Or clients can access GED classes, Job and computer training, Legal assistance, and other housing services. Location is 2641 E Cook St, Springfield, IL 62703, phone number 217-527-1006
Rental, housing and utility assistance may be offered from these charities, government agencies, or non-profits. Funds can help prevent evictions or a disconnection of your power. Or work with a case manager on finding housing in Sangamon County. There are several other agencies available as well that may offer funds for back rent or a deposit. Low income families can seek help from these non-profits. Locate rent help in Sangamon County.
- 5th Street Renaissance, 1315 N. 5th, call 217-544-5040
- M.E.R.C.Y. provides rent, deposit, and rapid re-housing for homeless families. Call (217) 753-1358
- Springfield Township, 3298 Terminal Ave, phone 525-1464
- Springfield Urban League offers housing assistance and mediation. Address: 100 N 11th St, Springfield, IL 62703, phone (217) 789-0830. They also help low-income families buy a home or start a business.
- Veteran's Assistance Commission of Sangamon County, 753-6680
- Woodside Township, 490 North St, 522-3712
Senior Services of Central Illinois, Inc. may be able to help residents over the age of 60. They often will have government FEMA funds for paying rent, security deposits, or utility bills for the low income. Or get free Meals on Wheels for food delivery, information on Medicare enrollment or health insurance. Address is 701 W. Mason Street in Springfield. Telephone ((217) 528-4035.
Clear Lake Township may offer emergency assistance. It is for residents that have demonstrated a verifiable life threatening circumstance or a work related expense. Get free groceries, food, medications, as well as emergency utility bill/rental assistance. Free transportation, including gas cards or auto repair grants, and more may be provided to people from the area. 4260 Old Route 36, Springfield, Illinois 62707, (217) 523-4210
Central Counties Health Care can help the under and uninsured. Access high quality, affordable primary dental and health care. Services can include immunizations, chronic disease management, well-child visits, school physicals, pre-natal care, and general dental assistance. Some teeth cleanings and extractions may be offered too. Phone for appointments is (217) 788-2300.
Sangamon County Medical Society is made up of doctors working with St. John's Hospital and Memorial Health System to help low income families with medical needs. Screenings, check ups, and referrals to specialists are available, as needed. The center is based in Springfield Illinois. Phone (217) 726-5106.
Various other free or low cost dental clinics operate in Springfield Illinois. They give exams, extractions, free cleanings for kids and other care. There are free as well as cheap, high quality centers. Find low cost dental clinics in Illinois.
Sangamon and Springfield Illinois area food pantries
A number of centers are located across the county, including in the following regions. They give free groceries, personal hygiene supplies, household stuff like laundry detergent or soap and more. Some are noted below.
Several other food banks, soup kitchens and pantries are focused just on the county. Or very low income families can seek assistance from government programs, such as WIC vouchers or USDA food stamps. Click here for Sangamon County free food pantries.
- Holy Cross Parish - Auburn Food Pantry, 126 East Washington Street, Auburn, Illinois 62615, dial 438-6222
- Catholic Charities, Holy Family Food Pantry, 1023 East Washington, Springfield, IL 62703, call 217-523-4551
- First Presbyterian Church, 321 South 7th, Springfield, Illinois 62701, call 528-4311
- Freedom in Holiness Mission, 1430 Loveland Avenue, Springfield, IL 62703 main number is 522-2527
- Grace Lutheran Food Pantry, 714 East Capitol Wednesday, Springfield, IL 62701, call 522-9707
- Kumler Neighborhood Ministries, 600 North 5th, Springfield, IL 62702, call 523-2269 or 2270
- Lively Stone Temple Wednesday, 1625 South Martin Luther King Drive, phone 789-6803
- Living Faith Baptist Church Wednesday, 7575 West outer Road, Sherman, Illinois 62684, call 496-2590
- Loami Area Community Pantry, 106 South Main Street, Loami, Illinois 62661, call 624-9900
- Manna Storehouse, Abundant Faith Christian Church, 2525 Taylor Avenue, Springfield, IL 62703, phone number 585-4000
- Riverton Community Pantry, 112 North 6th, Riverton, Illinois 62561, call 629-7717
- St. Martin Deporres Center, 1725 East South Grand Avenue, Springfield, IL 62703, main number 528-2851
- Salvation Army, 530 North 6th, Springfield, IL 62702, call 525-2196
- Triumph Church of God in Christ, 924 North 11th, Springfield, Illinois 62702, call 522-5957
The state has other benefits to help battle hunger, ranging from USDA food stamps to cooking classes and more. Or click here for more free food banks in Illinois.
|
