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Resources / Assistance Finder / Illinois / Cook County

Here are programs that match your needs

10 programs available in Cook County, Illinois

  • Food
  • Health
  • Other
Apply online

Application for Benefits Eligibility(ABE)

Available statewide in Illinois

Apply for and manage healthcare, food, and cash assistance benefits. Learn more

Eligibility criteria

No eligibility criteria listed.

Information to gather

  • Child's birth certificate and Social Security number (if available)
  • Proof of Illinois residency
  • Household income documentation
  • Proof of citizenship/immigration status (if applicable)
  • Health

CareLink

Cook County, Illinois

CareLink is a free program that helps Cook County residents cover the cost of care at any Cook County Health facility. CareLink discounts the cost of the following services: primary care visits, specialty doctor visits, clinic visits, lab tests, hospital stays and emergency services. To sign up for CareLink, you will need to go into one of the Cook County Health (CCH) sites to meet with a Financial Counselor. Learn more

Eligibility criteria

No eligibility criteria listed.

Information to gather

  • Government issued ID
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of address
  • Childcare
Apply online

Child Care Assistance Program(CCAP)

Available statewide in Illinois

Subsidizes the cost of licensed child care for low-income working parents or those in approved education/training. Families cost-share on a sliding scale based on family size and income. Learn more

Eligibility criteria

  • Household income up to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level

Information to gather

  • Photo ID
  • Social Security numbers and birth certificates
  • Two recent pay stubs or Wage Verification Form
  • Self-employment income docs (if applicable)
  • Proof of school/training enrollment
  • CCAP-approved provider info
  • Child immunization records
  • Electricity
Apply online

ComEd Low-Income Discount Program(LID)

Cook, DuPage, Lake +5 more, Illinois

Monthly discount on electric bills on a tiered schedule designed to keep total energy costs below 3% of household income (or 6% for homes with electric heat). Learn more

Eligibility criteria

  • Household income up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level

Information to gather

  • ComEd account number
  • Proof of household income
  • Social Security numbers (adult household members)
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address
  • Internet
  • Phone
$9.25/mo
Paper application

Federal Lifeline Program

Available statewide in Illinois

Federal FCC program providing a monthly discount on home phone, wireless phone, broadband internet, or bundled voice-broadband service from participating providers. One discount per household. Learn more

Eligibility criteria

  • Household income up to 135% of the Federal Poverty Level

Information to gather

  • Proof of program participation OR income documentation
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of address
  • Last 4 digits of Social Security number or Tribal ID
  • Rent
Up to$10,000
Apply online

Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program

Available statewide in Illinois

The Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) provides emergency rental assistance to tenants and housing provider/ landlords across Illinois who have pending cases in eviction court. Learn more

Eligibility criteria

  • Income up to 80% of the area median

Information to gather

  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of address (dated within 60 days)
  • Proof of household income
  • Evidence of past-due rent
  • Eviction court complaint, summons, and court-case number (name must be listed on the eviction document)
  • Current signed lease (if available)
  • Proof of public assistance (if applicable)
  • Valid email addresses for tenant and housing provider/ landlord
  • Food

Link Up Illinois

Available statewide in Illinois

Matches SNAP/Link card spending dollar-for-dollar (up to $25 per transaction at farmers markets) for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. Doubles purchasing power at participating markets, farm stands, CSAs, and grocers. Over 125 farmers markets and 26 stores statewide, many in Cook County. No application needed — swipe at participating market info booth Learn more

Eligibility criteria

No eligibility criteria listed.

Information to gather

  • Active Illinois Link (EBT) card
  • Electricity
Up to$2,564
Apply onlinePaper application

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP)

Available statewide in Illinois

Help to pay for natural gas, propane, and/or electric bills. Learn more

Eligibility criteria

  • Household income up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level
  • Income up to 60% of the area median

Information to gather

  • Proof of past 30-day income
  • Social Security numbers (all household members)
  • Recent utility bills
  • Proof of residency
  • Photo ID
  • Lease agreement (if renting)
  • Food
  • Other
Apply online

Summer EBT(SEBT)

Available statewide in Illinois

The child's date of birth is between July 2, 2007 and August 14, 2020 AND they received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid any time between July 1, 2025 and August 14, 2026 OR; The child attended a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2025-2026 school year and was deemed income-eligible to receive a free or reduced-price lunch through direct certification or an application at the school. Learn more

Eligibility criteria

No eligibility criteria listed.

Information to gather

No documents listed.

  • Water
Up to50% off
Apply online

Utility Billing Relief Program(UBR)

Cook County, Illinois

Provides low-income Chicago homeowners with a 50% reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax. Participants receive no late penalties or debt collection. After one year on the reduced rate with no past-due balance, prior debt is forgiven.

Eligibility criteria

No eligibility criteria listed.

Information to gather

  • City of Chicago water account number
  • Proof of homeownership
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of household income
  • Social Security numbers (adult household members)
  • Recent water bill

Cook County Division of Community Action

Community Action agencies change people’s lives, embody the spirit of hope, improve communities and make America a better place to live. They work at the local level to help community members that need it. Visit your local agency