Illinois

The state's housing agency; posts current rental assistance and mortgage help programs and lists affordable apartments statewide.

Free legal aid and mediation if you've received an eviction notice; call 855-631-0811 to get connected to help in your county.

State-funded emergency shelter, transitional housing, and one-time homeless prevention grants; call the IDHS helpline at 1-800-843-6154 to find providers near you.

Monthly cash for very low-income families with children (and pregnant people) to help with rent, clothing, and essentials; apply online at ABE, the state's benefits portal.

Find your local community action agency for emergency help with rent, utilities, and other crisis costs.

Emergency assistance, food, and case management in Cook and Lake counties; other dioceses run Catholic Charities programs across the rest of the state.

Illinois law requires hospitals to give uninsured patients big discounts and limits what they can collect; the Attorney General's Health Care Bureau (1-877-305-5145) can help if a hospital won't cooperate.

Nonprofit hospitals must screen you for free or discounted "charity care" before sending bills to collections — always ask for the financial assistance application.

Find a community health center that treats you regardless of insurance and charges based on income.

Helps pay gas and electric bills and can stop a disconnection; apply at HelpIllinoisFamilies.com or call 1-833-711-0374.

• HelpIllinoisFamilies.com

Caps your monthly utility payment at a percentage of your income and forgives old debt as you make on-time payments.

Free insulation and furnace work that permanently lowers your energy bills.

Free nonprofit watchdog that helps Illinois consumers fight unfair utility bills and find savings.

Monthly grocery money on a Link card; apply online at ABE or call the IDHS helpline at 1-800-843-6154.

The state's network of eight food banks; use their site to find a free food pantry near you.

Healthy food, formula, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new parents, and kids under 5.

Free or very low-cost health coverage for low-income adults, kids, pregnant women, and seniors; apply at ABE.

• ABE

Health coverage for Illinois children — doctor visits, dental, glasses, and prescriptions — with little or no cost for most families.

Illinois' own official health insurance marketplace; most people qualify for discounts, and free local helpers can walk you through enrollment.

Talk to a trained wellness counselor who has lived through mental health or substance use recovery: 1-866-359-7953 (weekdays).

Free, confidential, 24/7 help finding addiction treatment and recovery support anywhere in Illinois: 1-833-234-6343 or text "HELP" to 833234.

Free emotional support text line: text "TALK" (or "HABLAR" for Spanish) to 552020 and a counselor will call you back.

Pays most of your childcare bill while you work or attend school; apply through your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency.

Free statewide help finding childcare and applying for CCAP.

Free preschool, meals, and family support for low-income children under 5; find your local program.

File for unemployment benefits online and get help with your claim.

Free job centers across the state with career coaching, training money, and job listings.

Plain-language legal guides and a "Get Legal Help" tool that connects you with free lawyers for eviction, debt, benefits, and family problems.

Free civil legal help for low-income people in central and southern Illinois; Prairie State Legal Services and Legal Aid Chicago cover the north.

Immigrant family support hotline for legal referrals, know-your-rights help, and emergencies: 1-855-435-7693.

Chicago-based nonprofit providing free and low-cost immigration legal services across Illinois.