Early Childhood Education 

Safe in-person early learning options are available across Chicago for children ages 0-5. Choose from 600+ early learning programs. Applications are available year-round!  

For application information or to get assistance in applying, call the Chicago Early Learning Hotline at 312-229-1690 or visit https://www.cps.edu/ChicagoEarlyLearning/how-to-apply/  

Public Assistance: Child Care Assistance Program 

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides cash assistance to qualifying families with one or more children under the age of 13. Eligibility is based on household income or other criteria such as the parent’s age and participation in education or work opportunities. There are no waiting lists and all families who qualify receive some assistance. 

Find out if you are eligible here: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/applications/ChildCareEligCalc/eligcalc.html 

To set up an application appointment, call Illinois Act for Children at 312-823-1100. 

Programs for Teens and Youth 

My CHI. My Future. compiles youth programs, events, jobs, and resources across all city departments and over 250 community-based organizations. Find opportunities and resources for your teens and youth through the website or through the new mobile app. 

To learn more, visit the website here: https://explore.mychimyfuture.org/ or download the app in the Apple or Google Play app stores. 

Groceries & Meals 

The Greater Chicago Food Depository and more than 700 partners across Cook County provide access to nutritious food all year. There is no eligibility criteria to participate, you can simply show up.  

Find a food pantry, soup kitchen, shelter or mobile program in your community by calling 773-247-3663 or visiting: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/  

Public Assistance: Women, Infants and Children 

The Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy. Through WIC, you can obtain cash assistance for food purchases, information and help about breastfeeding and nutrition, and help finding healthcare. To be eligible you must have a WIC-eligible member of your household and meet the household income requirement.  

Find out if you are eligible here: https://wic.fns.usda.gov/wps/pages/preScreenTool.xhtml 

To apply, call the state WIC office at 217-782-2166 or visit the online office locator to find the nearest enrollment office.  

Public Assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, helps low-income households to purchase groceries. To be eligible you meet the household income requirement. 

Find out if you are eligible here: https://fscalc.dhs.illinois.gov/FSCalc/  

To apply, call the state hotline at 800-843-6154 or visit the online application portal.  

Community Health Clinics 

Community Health Clinics are neighborhood-based healthcare centers that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care regardless of your ability to pay. Services offered include prenatal care, pediatric care and help managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and more. Community Health Clinics accept some insurance plans, Medicaid managed care plans and use a sliding scale for fees based on income. 

To find a health center near you, use the online locator tool here or call 3-1-1.  

COVID-19 Vaccines & Testing 

COVID-19 vaccines are available free of charge to all Chicagoans 5 and older.  

Find your nearest vaccine site here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home/city-sites.html 

To find a free or low-fee COVID-19 testing site, visit the Community Health Clinic online locator tool here or visit the City's community-based testing site webpage here.  

Mental Health Services 

NAMI Chicago is a nonprofit that operates a free and confidential hotline staffed by clinicians and peers who can help you find treatment and provide free resources to those in need of mental health support. 

To reach the hotline, call 1-800-950-NAMI. 

Find other mental health resources here: https://mentalhealth.chicago.gov/find-mental-health-support/  

Services for People with Disabilities  

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) can offer personal assistant services, assistive devices, home-delivered meals, home modification and benefits counseling for people with disabilities living in the City of Chicago under the age of 60. 

To learn more about services offered, call 312-744-7050 or visit the MOPD website. 

Eviction Support 

Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt is a free resource to help landlords and tenants resolve housing and debt issues. Visit cookcountylegalaid.org or call 855-956-5763.  

Legal support for tenants is also available at rentervention.com or text "hi" to 866-773-6837. 

Rental Assistance 

The Department of Family and Support Services offers a Rental Assistance Program (RAP) that provides cash assistance to low-income households at risk of becoming homeless due to eviction, loss of income or another emergency. Eligibility is based on household income and proof of a qualifying event. 

To learn more and apply online, visit the RAP webpage or visit one of the Community Service Centers for in-person assistance. 

Utility Assistance 

CEDA is a nonprofit that administers financial assistance programs for renters and homeowners who need help with their utility bills, including gas, electric, water, sewer and furnace assistance. Program eligibility varies and is based on household income. CEDA administers the City of Chicago’s Utility Billing Relief (UBR) which provides low-income City of Chicago residents who are property owners with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief. 

To learn more about bill assistance options, visit the CEDA website.  

Homelessness Services 

The Department of Family and Support Services oversees a network of overnight and interim housing shelter programs that provide over 3,000 shelter beds at 50 separate facilities.  

To find a shelter, call 3-1-1 or 312-744-5000 and ask for “short-term help.” 

Free Income Tax Preparation 

File your 2022 taxes for free between January 18 and April 18 and claim your tax refund. Households with very low income must file in order to claim their tax refund.

If your income is less than $66,000, you can file for free online at Get Your Refund, a service supported by the IRS. If your income is less than $60,000, you can also access in-person tax filing support with Tax Prep Chicago and the nonprofit Ladder Up.

• Visit https://www.getyourrefund.org/en to file for free online.
• Visit https://www.taxprepchicago.org/ to find upcoming free tax prep help in-person.

Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0

The Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0 provides one-time, $500 relief payments to eligible Chicago residents. The fund is currently accepting applications from income-eligible domestic workers, undocumented residents, and households with adult dependents (such as college students or disabled relatives, but not spouses). The assistance is available to residents regardless of immigration status.

To learn more and access the online application or find application assistance near you, visit www.chicash.org

Banking Services 

Bank On Chicago is a nonprofit that evaluates banking services for quality, security, and affordability. Their list of approved banking partners all provide low-fee checking, savings, and spending products that allow you to receive direct deposit, track your expenses, and avoid surprise fees. Accounts can be set up online or at an in-person branch. 

Find a certified Bank On account option by visiting the website here: https://bankonchicago.com/accounts/  

Economic Empowerment Workshops and Counseling  

The Chicago Treasurer’s Office provides free economic empowerment programs for all Chicago residents and small business owners through bi-monthly workshops and individual counseling sessions. One initiative, HOPE Inside, provides services and education to those facing financial challenges, including needing assistance on debt management, credit score improvement, wealth building and more.   

To learn more, visit: https://chicagocitytreasurer.com/hope-inside-2/ 

Pilot: Clear Path Relief for Reduced Motorist Fines 

The Clear Path Relief pilot from the City of Chicago provides low-income motorists with relief for vehicle-related debt, excluding expired meter tickets. Applicants are required to have outstanding vehicle-related debt and be the registered owner of the vehicle associated with the debt.  

Find out if you are eligible to apply here: www.chicago.gov/cpr  

City Colleges: Future Ready Program 

Future Ready at City Colleges of Chicago is an opportunity to start or boost your career by taking college courses at no cost. Participants can choose from dozens of short-term programs in the area’s highest demand fields, learn new skills, and earn an industry-recognized certification. Future Ready is for Chicagoans who are either new to City Colleges or returning after a year away.   

Learn more at www.ccc.edu/FutureReady 

City Colleges: Adult Education Programs 

Learn English or finish high school for free to improve your career and college opportunities. City Colleges of Chicago offers classes for free to learners in-person and online. The Career Bridge Program also helps students improve their reading, writing, math, and English skills while earning an industry certificate that can lead to entry-level job opportunities and careers in fields like Early Childhood Education, Healthcare, Supply Chain and Transportation Technology.  

Visit www.ccc.edu/ae to learn more and get started