Food and Shelter
Under 18?
Find a CPS Meal Site, where you can pick up three days' worth of breakfast & lunch for every child in your home. Check the map before you go, as locations and pickup times may change daily.
Adults 60+
Contact the Department of Family and Support Services’ call center at 312-746-4016 (Monday through Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the Meals on Wheels Program and you will receive a weekly meal delivery of six meals to their home. Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) senior residents 60 and over can also contact CHA’s emergency services.
Homebound?
If you’re homebound or in quarantine because you have COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive, or were exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 and in need of emergency food, call 3-1-1 to connect with services available through the Greater Food Depository, Senior Services and Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).
Disabled (18-59)?
Contact the Mayor’s Office of Peoples with Disabilities at 312-746-5773 (Monday through Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for access to home delivered meals as needed.
Pandemic-EBT
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students who normally get free or reduced price school meals at school may be eligible for a program to help your family buy groceries. The program is called Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT).
For more information about P-EBT, please review these frequently asked questions: www.chicagosfoodbank.org/pebt.
See if you qualify for SNAP Benefits
If you would like to find out if you qualify for SNAP, you can do it in 10 simple questions that take less than 3 minutes to answer with mRelief. You can do so by visiting www.mRelief.com.
The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) and Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have several initiatives to provide housing cost assistance to Chicago residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. To learn more and apply, please visit the new online portal to determine the program that will best meet your needs: chi.gov/housinghelp
I Need Shelter.
If you need shelter, call 311 or visit the 311 website. The City and partner organizations are expanding emergency shelter options to ensure anyone experiencing homelessness has safe accommodations.
For Renters
Chicago Housing Assistance Portal
The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) and Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have several initiatives to provide housing cost assistance to Chicago residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. To learn more and apply, please visit the new online portal to determine the program that will best meet your needs: chi.gov/housinghelp
Eviction Protection
The State of Illinois has extended its eviction moratorium through August 22. If your landlord is threatening or evicting you, call Legal Aid Chicago at 312.341.1070.
Note: While evictions are currently paused, tenants are still required to pay rent. If tenants do not, they may face eviction after the moratorium ends.
If you experience a "lockout" by a landlord
Lockouts are illegal. Affected tenants should call 311 to report a lockout and ask for a case report. To learn more about your rights as a tenant, visit the Department of Housing.
Utility Relief
Your water, gas, and electric will not be disconnected during the Governor's mandated state of emergency. The Illinois Commerce Commission is protecting you from disconnection for non-payment and is suspending late fees.
Free internet access for new customers
Comcast is providing 60 days of Internet Essentials service for free for eligible low-income households. Apply at internetessentials.com
For Homeowners
Chicago Housing Assistance Portal
The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) and Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) have several initiatives to provide housing cost assistance to Chicago residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. To learn more and apply, please visit the new online portal to determine the program that will best meet your needs: chi.gov/housinghelp
Foreclosure Protection
If you can't pay your mortgage, your home cannot be foreclosed through at least May 18, as the State of Illinois has suspended foreclosures.
Additional Mortgage Help
If your ability to pay your mortgage has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis, you can find additional assistance information through the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Utility Relief
Your water, gas, and electric will not be disconnected during the Governor's mandated state of emergency. The Illinois Commerce Commission is protecting you from disconnection for non-payment and is suspending late fees.
For Landlords
Eviction Suspension
If you are a landlord of property in Cook County, you cannot evict tenants through at least August 22. If the mortgage on your property is federally-backed, you cannot evict tenants or charge late fees until July 25, by federal mandate of the CARES Act.
Note: While evictions are currently paused, tenants are still required to pay rent. If tenants do not, they may face eviction after the moratorium ends.
Mortgage Help
If your ability to pay your mortgage has been impacted by the coronavirus crisis, you can find assistance information through the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
