Additional resources
If you are in crisis, these public and private resources may be able to provide additional help.
Public Assistance Programs:
Illinois Department of Employment Security: Apply for unemployment insurance benefits.
Illinois Department of Human Service (IDHS): Find out if you are eligible to receive benefits under Social Security's disability programs. Also, find out about SNAP (food stamp) and medical benefits and see if you qualify.
Chicago Department of Housing: Find out about programs and complete an intake form to determine your eligibility for affordable housing.
Healthcare.gov: If you need health insurance, you can enroll if you have certain life events or income, or you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Helps eligible households with low income pay for home energy services. This includes assistance with heating, gas, propane and electricity.
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG): Offers Illinoisans an opportunity to receive support for an array of essential services including rent assistance, food, temporary shelter, medicine and more.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): Helps households that are facing the threat of imminent disconnection, have already been disconnected or have past due (arrearage) balances over $50 for their water and wastewater services combined.
Chicago City Mental Health Resources: Find care that can provide support for emotional, traumatic, or behavioral difficulties.
Private Assistance Programs:
Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund): Free and confidential social service programs address a wide array of challenges faced by people in performing arts and entertainment.
Season of Concern, Malcolm Ewen Fund: The Fund supports Theater workers in emergency situations with one-time annual grants of $1000. Emergencies would be defined as fire, natural disaster, sudden loss of a job, eviction, an abrupt change of circumstance such as loss of a roommate or family member, or other catastrophic circumstance causing great financial harm.
Season of Concern, Biscotto-Miller Fund: Through the Biscotto-Miller Fund, members of the Chicago theater community (union and non-union alike) can receive monetary assistance for counseling, therapy, or other treatments of psychological stress or illness. The Fund is available to all members of our community, and the application process is simple and confidential.
Greater Chicago Food Depository: Striving to end hunger by connecting Chicago neighbors with healthy food and advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger.
Chicago Meals on Wheels: Provides meals and support to Chicago seniors and people with disabilities.
Access Living of Metro Chicago: A center of service, advocacy, and social change for people with all kinds of disabilities led and run by people with disabilities.
American Disability Advocates: American Disability Advocates is a company specializing in the area of Social Security disability law.
Illinois ADA Project: Their goal is to educate, enrich, and enlighten the people, businesses, and organizations of Illinois regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA).
Public Assistance Programs:
Illinois Department of Employment Security: Apply for unemployment insurance benefits.
Illinois Department of Human Service (IDHS): Find out if you are eligible to receive benefits under Social Security's disability programs. Also, find out about SNAP (food stamp) and medical benefits and see if you qualify.
Chicago Department of Housing: Find out about programs and complete an intake form to determine your eligibility for affordable housing.
Healthcare.gov: If you need health insurance, you can enroll if you have certain life events or income, or you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.
Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Helps eligible households with low income pay for home energy services. This includes assistance with heating, gas, propane and electricity.
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG): Offers Illinoisans an opportunity to receive support for an array of essential services including rent assistance, food, temporary shelter, medicine and more.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): Helps households that are facing the threat of imminent disconnection, have already been disconnected or have past due (arrearage) balances over $50 for their water and wastewater services combined.
Chicago City Mental Health Resources: Find care that can provide support for emotional, traumatic, or behavioral difficulties.
Private Assistance Programs:
Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund): Free and confidential social service programs address a wide array of challenges faced by people in performing arts and entertainment.
Season of Concern, Malcolm Ewen Fund: The Fund supports Theater workers in emergency situations with one-time annual grants of $1000. Emergencies would be defined as fire, natural disaster, sudden loss of a job, eviction, an abrupt change of circumstance such as loss of a roommate or family member, or other catastrophic circumstance causing great financial harm.
Season of Concern, Biscotto-Miller Fund: Through the Biscotto-Miller Fund, members of the Chicago theater community (union and non-union alike) can receive monetary assistance for counseling, therapy, or other treatments of psychological stress or illness. The Fund is available to all members of our community, and the application process is simple and confidential.
Greater Chicago Food Depository: Striving to end hunger by connecting Chicago neighbors with healthy food and advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger.
Chicago Meals on Wheels: Provides meals and support to Chicago seniors and people with disabilities.
Access Living of Metro Chicago: A center of service, advocacy, and social change for people with all kinds of disabilities led and run by people with disabilities.
American Disability Advocates: American Disability Advocates is a company specializing in the area of Social Security disability law.
Illinois ADA Project: Their goal is to educate, enrich, and enlighten the people, businesses, and organizations of Illinois regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA).