COVID-19 Relief Resources | The Resurrection Project

Healthcare

All people living in Illinois, regardless of immigration status, have the same access to healthcare and testing. You will have access to testing even if you are uninsured. Free testing is available in Illinois but priority is being given to the most vulnerable. The Public Charge rule does not apply if you get tested, screened, or treated for COVID-19.
Find a health clinic close to you here or call (855) 435-7693

Immigration Legal Services:

As of March 18th, USCIS offices have suspended in-person services for the time being. Field offices will send notices with instructions to applicants and petitioners with scheduled interview appointments or naturalization ceremonies.

DACA renewal applications are still being processed. USCIS is reusing previously submitted biometrics (fingerprints) to process applications. To register for a phone consultation please click here!

For other immigration related questions please call (312) 666-3062.

For information on whether you or your family may qualify for public benefits or other types of assistance please call the Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP) Hotline at 1-855-IFRP-NOW (1-855-437-7669).

Paying Bills or Meeting Financial Obligations:

If you’re not able to pay your bills on time, contact your lenders and servicers to let them know about your situation. Credit card companies and lenders may be able to offer you a number of options to help you. If you have any questions you can contact The Resurrection Project at (312) 880-1137.

Rental Assistance

Rental Assistance Program (RAP):

Rent and rent arrears payment is available for individuals and families that are at risk of becoming homeless. Property owners must agree to participate in the program and cannot be a relative of the applicant or live in the household of the applicant. In addition, eligible applicants must demonstrate an ability to meet rent payments after assistance has been granted – based on the applicant’s current or anticipated income.

In order to be eligible, the household must have experienced a documented crisis or emergency within the last 90 days:

Temporary loss of income
Fire or flood
Court order to vacate (foreclosure or eviction)
Domestic violence

Applications will be accepted starting Monday, July 27th at 10:00am through Monday, August 10, 2020 at 11:59pm. Click here to apply!

Cash Assistance:

The Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project is providing one-time $500 cash assistance for those financially affected by COVID-19. Those employed in the landscaping, snow plowing, packing, cannery, farms, nursery, greenhouse, and meat and poultry industries and experiencing financial hardship due to the effort to contain COVID-19 are eligible for this assistance. To apply for this cash assistance program those affected can send their phone number, valid ID with current address, paystub, and an explanation of what you do at work to [email protected].

Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund:

Cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more. To apply click here.

The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence Emergency Crisis Fund:

An emergency criss fund for survivors of domestic violence. Supports include, but are not limited to: rental assistance, educational and social supports for e-learning for clients in shelter or community emergency housing, diapers, food or groceries, supports for incarcerated survivors, emergency cell phones, or bill payment to remain in housing. To apply click here.

Utility Assistance

Utility Billing Relief Program:

The Mayor’s Office has launched the Utility Billing Relief UBR Program to help low-income residents come into compliance on water bill payments. This program will operate in partnership with CEDA of Cook County and helps to prevent residents from having to make difficult choices between paying for utilities and other critical goods and services. The UBR Program will provide Chicago residents with a reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax; remove late payment penalties or debt collection activity; and debt forgiveness after successfully completing one year with no past due balance. For more information about the Utility Relief Program or to sign up please visit Chicago.gov/ubr.

Energy Assistance:

Provides assistance to eligible households with their heating and cooling energy costs through LIHEAP, ComEd Residential Special Hardship, and Peoples Gas Share the Warmth grants.

Click here for more information or call (800) 571-2332

Please note: Utilities statewide have halted electric and gas shut-offs. The Citizens Utility Board has a comprehensive overview of each company’ policy, including information about phone and broadband plans.

Comed has suspended disconnects for residential and commercial customers unable to pay their wills and are waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1st.

Comed will work with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and will offer flexible payment plans to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19.

People’s Gas has suspended shut offs for residential and business customers, unless unsafe conditions exist. People’s Gas is also waiving new late payment charges. If customers are having difficulty paying their bill, People’s Gas will work with them to arrange a payment plan or discuss financial assistance options. Customers can call (866) 556-6001.

NicorGas has suspended service disconnections for non-payment, effective immediately for both residential and commercial customers through May 1st.

Small Business Support

The Paycheck Protection Program:

Forgivable loans to small businesses, including 1099 employers, to pay themselves or their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. For details please click here.

The Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund (the Resiliency Fund),

provides small businesses and non-profits with emergency cash flow during this health crisis. Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans. For more information and to apply please click here.

Expedited line of credit application for up to $25,000, for small businesses impacted by the crisis.

Click here for more information or call (312) 275-3000

Resources available to small businesses. Click here!

Food Assistance

Please note the following stores have elderly Shopping Hours:

Aldi Senior Shopping Hours:
Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, 8:30am-9:30am

Target Senior Shopping Hours:
Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s, 8:00am-9:00am

Cermak Fresh Market Senior Shopping Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7:00am-8:00am

Costco Senior Shopping Hours:
Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, 8:00am-9:00am

Jewel Osco Senior Shopping Hours:
Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, 7:00am-9:00am

Walgreens Senior Shopping Hours:
Tuesday’s, 8:00am-9:00am

Dollar General Senior Shopping Hours:
everyday for the first hour

Revive Center:

Providing lunch bags and other toiletries

Location: 1668 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL

Greater Chicago Food Depository

Find a food pantry, soup kitchen, mobile food distribution or shelter in Cook County. Click here!

Chicago Public Schools:

Families can pick-up three days’ worth of food for each child daily from 9am-1pm. Delivery is available and can be arranged by calling (773) 553-5437 or emailing [email protected].

Instituto del Progreso Latino:

Students can pick up boxed meals at IHSCA, 2520 S. Western Ave. and IJLA, 2570 S. Blue Island Ave from 9am-1pm Monday through Friday, during the closing.

Fresh Produce Distribution Schedule:

Please see list of sites to pick up fresh produce. Click here.

Unemployment Assistance:

These benefits have been expanded due to COVID-19 please click here for more information

Domestic Violence Hotline:

Information, Options, Counseling, Legal and Shelter Services
Toll-Free. 24-hour. Confidential. Multilingual. Phone: 1-877-863-6338

Census:

Every ten years the U.S. Census counts everyone in the U.S. The 2020 Census will affect congressional representation, community funding, and more. All people regardless of citizenship status and age are counted! You can respond to the Census online, by mail and by phone using the 12 digit code that was sent in the mail.

Haven’t received your Census letter in the mail yet? You can still fill out the Census online (click here) or by phone using your address!
English: (844) 330-2020
Spanish: (844) 468-2020

Please note the deadline for Census participation has been moved to August 14th!

Questions?
Please call our Census Navigator, David, at (312) 374-8094.

Avoiding Scams:

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus.

Nearly 8,000 fraud reports from consumers related to the virus have been reported since the beginning of the year.

Protect yourself from these scams!

Phone Scams: If you receive a call from an individual stating that your debit card or credit card information has been compromised or that you owe a debt and need to pay via money transfer or a prepaid card. Do not share your personal informational! Banks will never ask for personal information via phone or email. Consumers should tell the caller that they will directly call their financial institution.

Online Scams: Make sure to research sellers before making a purchase. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products like cleaning and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t. Seller will ask for payment and the consumer will never receive their item.