COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR HARDSHIP Assistance & High-Efficiency INCENTIVE programs
The Village of Westchester recognizes that residents may encounter financial or other hardships from time to time. To assist you, we have compiled a list of community resources. These are local programs independent of the Village that are available to help you find the support you need. Below you will find details about these options.
Utility and Energy Programs & Resources
GROW
The Village's Ecological Commission, Green Residents of Westchester (GROW) is an excellent resource for energy efficiency, water conservation, and other tips that help protect your wallet as well as our planet. Click here for Water Conservation Tips from GROW.
GROW is continually providing education on these topics - find other related articles, presentations, and events by visiting their webpage.
ComEd
Description: ComEd offers programs to assist customers with bill payment, budgeting, energy savings, and credit improvement. Homeowners can reduce energy use through the free installation of energy-efficient products like LEDs, programmable thermostats, and WaterSense® certified showerheads.
Phone: 800-334-7661
Website: ComEd's Assistance Programs
Nicor Gas
Description: Nicor Gas provides energy efficiency programs as well as financial assistance to customers struggling to pay their Nicor Gas bills.
Phone: 888-642-6748
Website: Nicor's Energy Assistance
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Description: LIHEAP assists low-income households with energy costs through direct financial assistance, energy counseling, outreach, and education. No overdue bill or disconnect notice is required for assistance. Emergency help is available for households in danger of disconnection or with a non-operational furnace.
Phone: 800-571-2332
Website: Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA)
CEDA Weatherization Assistance
Provider: Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc (PLCCA)
Description: CEDA Weatherization makes homes more energy-efficient for low-income clients in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Services include safety and health equipment, heating system repairs or replacements, sealing air bypasses, and increasing insulation.
Phone: 708-450-3500 ext. 295
Website: PLCCA
Location: 411 Madison Street, Maywood, IL 60153
Energy Assistance by Public Outreach Agency
Description: Assists individuals and families with energy needs by helping them apply for energy assistance programs.
Phone: 773-424-8656
Location: 6202 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60621
Bill Assistance/Hardship Programs
Grace Central Outreach
Phone: 708-344-5020
Location: 10216 Kitchner Street, Westchester
Website: Grace Central Outreach
Services Offered: Emergency Financial Assistance
Proviso Township
Phone: 708-449-4307
Location: 4565 Harrison Street, Hillside
Website: Proviso Township
Services Offered: Emergency Financial Assistance
PLCCA
Phone: 708-450-3500
Location: 411 W. Madison Street, Maywood
Website: PLCCA
Services Offered: Emergency Financial Assistance
Oakbrook Terrace Corps Community Center
Phone: 630-629-4948
Location: 1 S 415 Summit Avenue, Villa Park
Website: Oakbrook Terrace Corps Community Center
Services Offered: Domestic Violence Services, Emergency Financial Assistance, Food & Nutrition Programs, Emergency Shelter, Seasonal Services, Casework Services, Visitation Services, Christian Education, Women's Ministries, Worship Services (Sunday School, Youth Ministries, Children's/Teen, Church, Young Adult), Music & Arts Programs, Day Camp Activities, Residential Camping Activities, Character Building Programs, Community Recreation Programs, Community Recreation & Education Programs
Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization by BEDS Plus
Description: Helps households in crisis with limited rental assistance, coverage of rent arrears, and financial coaching.
Eligibility: Referrals through EntryPoint
Phone: 877-426-6515
Website: BEDS Plus
Mortgage, Rent & Utility Assistance by The Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County
Description: Provides financial assistance for mortgage, rent, utilities, and other housing issues to prevent homelessness in Cook County.
Phone: 877-426-6515
Website: The Alliance to End Homelessness
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) by Illinois Department of Human Services
Description: Offers cash aid and services to eligible needy families for housing, food, utilities, and other expenses.
Phone: 800-843-6154
Website: Illinois Department of Human Services
Support Services by Connections for the Homeless
Description: Provides financial assistance for back payments on rent, mortgage, and utility bills, alongside case management for those at risk of homelessness.
Phone: 847-475-7070
Location: 1458 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
Website: Connections for the Homeless
Basic Needs Assistance by Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Chicago
Description: Offers assistance with finding housing, rent or utilities, and clothing provision.
Phone: 773-779-6700
Website: Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Chicago
Homelessness Services by The Salvation Army USA Central Territory
Description: Offers shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rent and utility assistance, counseling, and case management.
Phone: 800-725-2769
Website: The Salvation Army USA Central Territory
Homelessness Prevention & Emergency Assistance Programs by The Salvation Army Des Plaines Corps Community Center
Description: Offers assistance with mortgage/rent, utilities, clothing, food, and medication bills to families in financial crisis.
Phone: 773-205-3520
Website: The Salvation Army Des Plaines Corps Community Center
Community Housing Program by Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance
Description: Helps low-income individuals with chronic illnesses avoid homelessness through rental subsidies, utility allowances, food vouchers, medication copays, and case management.
Phone: 773-327-9921
Website: Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance
Youth Housing Assistance Program - Cash Assistance by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
Description: Provides cash assistance to current or former youth in state care to help attain or maintain housing stability.
Phone: 312-328-2159
Email: dcfs.yhap.coordinator@illinois.gov
Website: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Utilities and Energy Assistance by Total Resource Community Development Organization (TRCDO)
Description: Provides financial assistance with utilities and energy expenses, including emergency furnace repair.
Phone: 773-881-7710
Website: Total Resource Community Development Organization
Beyond Hunger SNAP Application Assistance
Description: Help with food assistance programs.
Phone: 708-386-1324
Website: Beyond Hunger
Food Pantries
Westchester Food Pantry
Address: 1938 S Mannheim Rd, Westchester, IL 60154
Phone: 708-927-4826
Website: Westchester Food Pantry
Grace Central Church Food Pantry
Address: 10216 Kitchner Street, Westchester, IL 60154
Phone: 708-344-5020
Website: Grace Central Church
Quinn Center of St. Eulalia Community Soup Kitchen
Address: 1851 S 9th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153
Phone: 708-397-6111
Website: Quinn Center of St. Eulalia
Share Food Share Love Food Pantry
Address: 3801 Madison St, Brookfield, IL 60513
Phone: 630-347-5390
Website: Share Food Share Love
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago Food Pantries
Address: 721 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-655-7700
Website: Catholic Charities
Veteran Assistance Programs
Veteran Financial Assistance Program by Salute, Inc
Description: Offers financial assistance to veterans for rent/mortgage payments, auto expenses, phone, utility bills, and other living expenses.
Eligibility: 80%+ Service Connected disability, active duty ending 2019-current, US resident.
Phone: 847-359-8811
Email: info@saluteinc.org
Website: Salute, Inc
The Last Mission Project by Operation First Response
Description: Provides financial assistance for veterans with PTSD.
Eligibility: Wounded, injured, critically ill service members, and disabled veterans.
Phone: 888-289-0280
Website: Operation First Response
Financial Assistance and Counseling by Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
Description: Offers financial assistance and counseling to active duty or retired Sailors and Marines, and their families.
Phone: 847-688-6830
Email: casework@nmcrs.org
Website: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Life Needs Financial Assistance by Helping Hands For Freedom (HHFF)
Description: Provides emergency financial assistance to veterans, military, or Gold Star families.
Email: esnelz@helpinghandsforfreedom.org
Website: Helping Hands For Freedom
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) by Heartland Alliance Health
Description: Assists low-income veteran families with housing stability, case management, and additional support services.
Phone: 773-336-6088
Website: Heartland Alliance Health