General Assistance
General Assistance is a locally administered program that provides financial assistance to eligible Oak Park residents in accordance with the Illinois Department of Human Services guidelines, and offers referrals and information regarding eligibility for other assistance-type programs.
Energy Service Benefits
The Program year will begin on October 2, 2023 and will run until August 15, 2024. To help the most vulnerable populations within the communities first, there will be two (2) priority periods where only select households will be eligible to apply before the program is offered to all eligible Cook County Residents.
Priority Group 1- Beginning October 2nd households with a senior (60+), person(s) with a disability and families with children under the age of 6 can apply for benefits. This population is also eligible to apply for furnace repair or replacement. The furnace assistance program will be available until May 31st or until funds are exhausted.
Priority Group 2- Beginning November 1st households disconnected from one or both utilities can apply for benefits. This population is also eligible to apply for furnace repair or replacement. The Furnace Assistance Program will be available until May 31st or until funds are exhausted. Note: During the month of November, households with seniors, disabled individuals, and/ or children under the age of 6 can also apply.
All Cook County Households- Beginning December 1st all other Cook County households may apply for benefits.
To qualify for General Assistance, applicants must:
COVID-19 Related Resources for Financial Assistance, please click for each website: Illinois Dept. of Employment Security, Chicago Legal Aid, ComEd Care Program, Nicor Gas Energy Assistance, Emergency Broadband Service
For more information about eligibility or to schedule an appointment, please call (708) 383-8005. The office is open and staff are following COVID-19 protocols. General Assistance applications and documents may be emailed to adugal@oakparktownship.org or dropped off in the mailbox in front of the building at 105 S. Oak Park Avenue.
To apply for General Assistance, please make an appointment and be prepared to provide the following:
Frequently Asked Questions
General Assistance is a locally administered program which provides financial assistance to persons who are not eligible for any other state or federal assistance programs and who do not have income or resources to provide for their own basic needs. An application and needed verification must be completed before assistance may be considered. An application may be obtained by coming to the General Assistance office or by making an appointment.
You must be at least eighteen years old and a resident of Oak Park.
You must not be the custodial parent of a minor child.
If you are not working, applicants are required to maintain current registration with the Illinois Job Service and must participate in a verifiable and active job search.
If you voluntarily left your job without due cause or were terminated for misconduct, you must wait thirty days after termination to file an application.
If you are a full or part-time college student, you are not eligible.
If you are not a United States citizen, you must be an alien admitted under color of law and reside in this country for five years to be eligible.
If you live in a private or public institution, including psychiatric facilities, you are ineligible.
All income and assets are included in determining your eligibility except the cash value of life insurance not exceeding $1,000, homestead property, and one automobile.
Applicants who are unable to work and have filed for Supplemental Security Income must submit SSI paperwork with their current status as well as additional eligibility information on request.
You may appeal any decision by Oak Park General Assistance if you consider the decision unfair, you feel you have been unfairly forced to participate in a service program, or you feel you have been unfairly denied or excluded from a service program. Details of the appeal process are available upon request.
Other Available Resources
Oak Park and River Forest Townships have partnered with Solstice to enroll eligible customers in the IL solar for all program. If interested in applying for monthly savings in a solar community, please contact Oak Park Township-General Assistance Department at 708 383-8005. If you want to sign up and apply on your own, please visit: solstice.us
Job training, employment, and resume assistance; free computer training Serves youth and adults
6707 North Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-848-1700
www.aacfworks.org
Career coaching for women only; free computer training for men and women
1 North LaSalle Street, Ste 1150
Chicago, IL 60602
866-525-9922
www.ywcachicago.org
Free basic computer classes; 1:1 support also available; three branch locations throughout Oak Park
834 Lake Street
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-383-8200
www.oppl.org
Job Search Resources - seminars, tech classes and more available at: https://www.oppl.org/use-your-library/job-seekers/.
Free job training for qualified and accepted applicants to gain experience in the foodservice industry, creating meals for Food Depository programs. See website for applicant requirements and more information. Screening and orientation every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m.
4100 W. Ann Lurie Place
Pulaski & 42nd Place
Chicago, IL 60632
773-247-3663
www.chicagosfoodbank.org/cck
Adult basic education, GED classes, and job placement
7648 N. Paulina Street
Chicago, IL 60626
773-262-6622
www.howardarea.org
Assists individuals with developmental disabilities
2215 Enterprise Drive Suite 1502
Westchester, IL 60154
708-409-8800
www.dhs.state.il.us
The Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Central Office has an employment program which provides job training and employment opportunities for eligible low income individuals age 55 and older.
Contact- Jennifer L. Burke, Vocational Program and Training Services Manager
1931 W 13th St, Ste 300
Chicago, IL 60608-1226
312-491-4110
www.eastersealschicago.org
Homeless Shelter and support for homelessness prevention
1851 S. 9th Ave.
Maywood, IL 60153
708-338-1724 or 888-338-1744
www.housingforward.org
Emergency Rental Assistance during COVID-19 - click here for an informational flyer.
Prevail helps clients by providing referrals and modest emergency financial assistance for food, housing, utilities and transportation to individuals and families at urgent risk. Their goal is to address the immediate crisis so the individual or family can work on additional steps on the path toward stability.
6632 W. Roosevelt Road, 2nd Floor
Oak Park, IL 60304
Phone 708•338-1724
Emergency Assistance and Referrals
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Additional hours by appointment
http://www.housingforward.org/get-help/prevail-emergency-assistance
Provides job search guidance for people with criminal backgrounds. Referral from Oak Park Township required.
237 South DesPlaines
Chicago, IL 60661
312-798-3300
www.thecaraprogram.org
1:1 job search counseling available as well as computer access, job postings, job search workshops and referrals. Specific walk-in scheduled hours available Monday – Friday.
2000 Fifth Ave. Room A-204
River Grove, IL 60171
708-456-0300, ext. 3619 or 3805
www.triton.edu/careerserv
Ticket To Work is a free and voluntary program that offers people who receive disability benefits improved access to meaningful employment. Call or look at their website to contact an authorized provider in your area.
Ticket to Work Help Line: 1-866-968-7842 / 866-833-2967 (TTY)
People Ready
7001 North Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-383-0170
www.peopleready.com/
Paramount Staffing
7019 W. North Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-383-3355
www.paramountstaffing.com
www.npo.net – not for profit positions/social services
www.miracleworkers.com – health care positions
Additional Resources
Access to Care
Health care for limited income residents
2225 Enterprise Drive, Suite 2507
Westchester, IL 60154
708-531-0680
Fax: 708-531-0686
http://www.accesstocare.org
Cook County Health & Hospitals System – CountyCare
CountyCare is a Medicaid program for uninsured adults in Cook County through the Affordable Care Act (Healthcare Reform). Residency and income guidelines apply to be eligible for the program. Enrolled individuals will receive medical care from providers in the Cook County Health & Hospital System (CCHHS) and select community providers.
Call 312-864-8200 for more information.
Forest Park Vet Center
The Vet Center provides counseling, outreach and referral services for veterans and their families. Open M-F 8:00-4:30p; evenings and weekend appointments available upon request.
1515 S Harlem Ave
Forest Park, IL 60130
708-383-3225 or 877-927-8387
www.va.gov
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Link to Illinois workforce services: job placement and referrals, insurance, employment and training programs, career and labor market information.
35 So. 19th Avenue
Maywood, IL 60153
800-244-5631
http://www.ides.illinois.gov
Illinois Department of Human Services
Cash, SNAP and Medical Assistance
West Suburban Office
2701 W. Lake St.
Melrose Park, IL 60160-3041
708-338-7600
Fax: 708-338-7638
http://www.dhs.state.il.us
Legal Aid Foundation
The Legal Aid Foundation provides free legal services to low income individuals and families. They assist with foreclosure, bankruptcy, divorce, custody, and many other legal issues except criminal, personal, injury, probate, or traffic cases. The phone lines open at 8 a.m.
120 S. LaSalle St. Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60603
312-341-1070
http://www.lafchicago.org/
Prevail (now part of Housing Forward's Emergency Assistance Program)
Prevail helps clients by providing referrals and modest emergency financial assistance for food, housing, utilities and transportation to individuals and families at urgent risk. Their goal is to address the immediate crisis so the individual or family can work on additional steps on the path toward stability.
6632 W. Roosevelt Road, 2nd Floor
Oak Park, IL 60304
Phone 708•338-1724
Emergency Assistance and Referrals
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Additional hours by appointment
http://www.housingforward.org/get-help/prevail-emergency-assistance
Salvation Army and Nicor Gas Sharing Program*
Provides emergency assistance to residents in over 200 suburban communities in the Chicago metropolitan area. Supports people during crisis situations and identifies other community resources. Thrift stores are located throughout Cook County.
Division headquarters:
5040 N. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL 60630
773-205-3369
Fax: 773-205-3585
http://www.salarmychicago.org
* Gas Sharing applications may be processed through Prevail, 848 Lake Street, (708) 386-1946.
Social Security Administration
230 N Mannheim Road
Hillside, IL 60162
800-772-1213
http://ssa.gov/
Thrive Counseling Center
Thrive is a nonprofit mental health center. It provides counseling for individuals, couples, and families. It also offers psychiatric services, 24/7 crisis services, youth services, in-home counseling for seniors, and other specialized programs. Thrive accepts most major insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. Sliding scale fee available for residents without insurance.
120 S. Marion St
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-383-7500
http://www.thrivecc.org/
Village of Oak Park Public Health Department
123 Madison St.
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-358-5480
Fax: 708-358-5115
http://www.oak-park.us/village-services/department-public-health
Catholic Charities of Chicago Northwestern Suburbs
Suburban Cook County Homeless Prevention Center
721 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60610
877-426-6515
http://www.catholiccharities.net/services/homelessness
1400 S. Austin Blvd.
Cicero, IL 60804
708-329-4022
Fax: 708-222-1495
1717 Rand Rd.
DesPlaines, IL 60016
847-376-2112
Chicago Emergency Fund
Financial aid can be provided for rental, utility assistance, as well as security/utility deposits, moving assistance and motel/hotel vouchers. Documentation is required. Due to anticipated demand, call wait time can be lengthy.
208 S. LaSalle, Suite 1356
Chicago, IL 60604
Call 311
http://www.dhs.state.il.us
Featherfist Homeless Shelter – Chicago
2255 E. 75th St.
Chicago, IL 60649
773-721-7088
Fax: 773-721-7144
http://www.featherfist.org/
Housing Forward (formerly West Suburban PADS – Public Action to Deliver Shelter)
Housing Forward helps with emergency shelter, supportive housing, emergency assistance, job searching support, community outreach, and homelessness prevention. Please download their list of resources on the current street card here.
1851 S. 9th Ave.
Maywood, IL 60153
708-338-1724
http://www.housingforward.org/
Lawyer's Committee for Better Housing
Any tenant in a building that is being foreclosed has rights. The Lawyer's Committee for Better Housing will be able to assist. Please call the free Tenants in Foreclosure Help Line listed below or visit the LCBH website for more information.
33 N. LaSalle
Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60602
855-207-8347 (toll-free)
http://www.lcbh.org/
CARA Program
Assists people with criminal backgrounds. Need referral from Oak Park Township.
237 S. DesPlaines
Chicago, IL 60661
312-798-3300
http://www.thecaraprogram.org/
CEDA
Community and Economic Development Assoc. of Cook County
Child and family development, health and nutrition services, senior citizen programs, economic development, employment and job training, housing services, education services and community development.
6141 West Roosevelt Road
Cicero, IL 60804
708-222-3824
Fax: 708-222-0026
http://www.cedaorg.net
Cook County GED
Provides locations of preparation classes and registration for the GED Test
Cook County GED Testing Program
Illinois Community College Board – GED
P.O. Box 88725
Chicago, IL 60680
800-321-9511; 847-328-9795
http://www.cookcountyged.org
Executive Clemency and Expungement
Governor Pat Quinn – Springfield
Illinois Prisoner Review Board
319 East Madison St., Suite A
Springfield, IL 62701
217-782-7273
Fax: 217-524-0012
https://www.illinois.gov/prb/Pages/prbexclemex.aspx
Haymarket Center
Assists people with drug and alcohol abuse through detox programs, housing, counseling, employment opportunities, etc.
932 W. Washington
Chicago, IL 60607
312-226-7984
Fax: 312-226-8048
http://www.hcenter.org
Way Back Inn / Grateful House
Provides housing and counseling as well as other resources to help promote a healthy lifestyle for those with a history of chemical abuse. Must have the ability and willingness to maintain full-time employment and must not have a history of chronic violent behavior.
1915 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Broadview, IL 60155
708-345-8422
Fax: 708-344-2944
http://www.waybackinn.org/
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