Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Cook County Township General Assistance + Emergency Aid — Referral Coordination (Cook County)
Suburban Cook County Township Supervisors (General Assistance) + City of Chicago + community organizations
Who it's for
Cook County emergency aid: (1) DISTINCTIVE to Illinois — township General Assistance (GA): suburban Cook County townships (e.g., Proviso, Thornton, Maine, Niles, Cicero, Worth, and others) provide emergency 'General Assistance' for residents with little or no income — help with rent, utilities, food, and personal needs (this is Illinois's analog to Indiana's township trustee relief). Find your township supervisor through the county. (2) For City of Chicago residents (Chicago is NOT in a township), the city's Department of Family & Support Services Community Service Centers + the Utility Billing Relief program. (3) CEDA for LIHEAP/CSBG utility and rent help. (4) Cook County Health CareLink for medical bills. (5) Salvation Army / St. Vincent de Paul / Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. (6) Greater Chicago Food Depository. (7) Dial 211.
Illinois's township General Assistance is the front-line emergency aid for suburban Cook (parallels Indiana's township trustees); Chicago (no townships) uses DFSS Community Service Centers + Utility Billing Relief. Layered with CEDA, CareLink, and 211.
What you'll need
- Proof of Cook County township residency (or Chicago residency)
- Proof of all household income
- Photo identification
- Documentation of the emergency need (eviction notice, shutoff notice, etc.)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 211
Renewals
as-needed
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.