COVID Relief Resources

Financial Support​​

• Rental Assistance – City of Chicago

• Bartenders: The United States Bartenders Guild Foundation is offering emergency assistance – even to those who are not members. You do have to apply and it’s possible that there’s an overwhelming interest in this assistance. 

• Service workers: One Fair Wage is providing cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more who need the money they aren’t getting to survive.  

• Illinois Sec. of State Jesse White extended the expiration dates for driver’s license and ID cards until March 31st, 2022.

• Student loans: The federal government's student loan repayment pause has extended through May 1, 2022. Other measures include: a suspension of loan payments, a 0% interest rate, and stopped collections on defaulted loans for all eligible loans.

• If considering bankruptcy, Upsolve is a nonprofit that helps people file for free.

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Unemployment Benefits

• As of September 4th, 2021 all federal pandemic benefit programs ended including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), but the standard unemployment benefits still remain active.

  • ​FAQs about expired/expiring federal programs. 

• File for unemployment benefits at the following link and follow the steps listed on the site.

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WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

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Undocumented immigrants are able to apply for these benefits. Learn more and apply online.

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SNAP and Medicaid Benefits

Benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, can be used to purchase groceries from local stores. Medicaid can help you access health insurance if you are uninsured. Eligibility is determined by household income. Apply directly through the IDES website, or get assistance from the Greater Chicago Food Depository Benefits Hotline (Mon-Fri, 8:30a-5p) at 773-843-5416. Visit the Department of Human Services’ website to use an interactive SNAP calculator.

There have been a number of laws that have passed expanding access to food assistance programs. The Greater Chicago Food Depository has compiled a number of resources to help people navigate the different programs for which they may be eligible:

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• Families First Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Provisions FAQ

• Benefits Outreach Flyer for COVID-19

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Evictions

​Non-Government Resources

• The Lawyers Committee for Better Housing has also put together information for tenants facing an illegal lockout and may be able to provide legal assistance to income-eligible tenants. Learn more on their website here. 

• Rentervention: is a program that can help tenants with housing issues by giving brief advice from volunteer attorneys, help write letters to your landlord, connect you with community resources, and teach you about renters' rights. 

• The Metropolitan Tenants Organization: is a tenant advocacy group that maintains a tenant's rights hotline Monday-Friday, 1:00-5:00pm at 773-292-4988, in addition to other resources found on the website. 

• Legal Aid Chicago: can potentially help those facing eviction or at risk of homelessness. 

​City of Chicago

• City of Chicago Renters' Rights page

• Chicago's Department of Housing has compiled a webpage about renters' rights and lockout resources for those facing eviction 

• The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) details the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants including general responsibilities, landlord rights of access, notice of poor conditions, prohibition of retaliatory conduct, and more. Click here for more info.

Federal

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has complied an updated resource pool for rental and utility bill assistance programs.

Housing Assistance

• Chicago's Department of Housing has compiled resources for renters who need help finding affordable homes or resolving landlord disputes. 

• The City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program: financial assistance to Chicago residents to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction.

• Legal Aid Chicago: provides legal and assistance resources for housing, utility bills, and more.

• Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing: can provide help with individuals facing eviction, foreclosure, housing discrimination, unsafe apartment conditions, unresponsive landlords, utility shutoffs, or tenant-landlord disputes. 

• Community Service Centers: resources from shelter, food and clothing to domestic violence assistance, drug rehab, job training and prisoner re-entry services

• ShelterList: directory of shelters that offer assistance to people experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

• Housing Action Illinois: information and resources for housing and homelessness professionals

• Mortgages: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) offers hardship programs for homeowners whose loans are guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. (Property owners with private lenders are encouraged to contact their lender to discuss options. Many lenders are offering forbearance programs as well.) 

• The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program, starting in April 2022, will accept applications from homeowners struggling to pay mortgages due to COVID-19 for relief grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments.

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Internet & Utility Information

• Electricity: ComEd is providing resources and payment accommodations for anyone who may have challenges paying their monthly energy bill

• Comcast and RCN announced resources and steps they’re taking to support customers impacted by coronavirus-related closures and shutdowns

• The Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) of Cook County is offering help to pay gas and electric bills through the LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program).

• The City of Chicago maintains the Utility Billing Relief Program (UBR) which provides low-income residents with reduced rates on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt forgiveness upon successfully paying the reduced rate bills for one year. 

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Small Business & Restaurants

 Chicago is currently in Phase V of their reopening metrics

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​Resources for Small Business Supporters & Consumers

• Rogers Park List of Open Neighborhood Businesses

• Donate to support Chicago service workers

• Donate to the James Beard Foundation's various funds, campaigns, and scholarships that help support restaurants, chefs, and food entrepreneurs rebuild, develop, and thrive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Resources for Small Business Owners

• ​Rogers Park Business Association Resource List

• City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

• The U.S. Small Business Administration is no longer accepting new applications for COVID-19 relief loans or grants, but is continuing to offer PPP loan forgiveness and EIDL increases.

• Illinois Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program

• Rogers Park Food Not Bombs: donate food to be shared/distributed to neighbors

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Business Counseling​​

• Illinois Small Business Development Center at West Side Forward

  • Contact is Curtis Roeschley, 773-473-4774 / croeschley@bethelnewlife.org

• The Cook County Small Business Assistance Program offers free individual business advising.

• Women’s Business Development Center

  • 312-853-3477 / wbdc@wbdc.org / contact for loan assistance: Lotika Pai, lpai@wbdc.org

  • In addition to serving women entrepreneurs, the Women’s Business Development Center is mandated to serve the needs of underserved entrepreneurs, including low-income entrepreneurs.

• Minority Business Development Agency Business Center offers various information and resources.

• Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity provides various business resources.

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