Illinois Public Assistance

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Illinois Department of  
Human Services  
    The Illinois Department of Human 
Services offers several financial 
and public assistance programs to 
the low income and people faced 
with an emergency.  
    State residents who need cash 
assistance to help make it through 
a difficult period may be able to get 
assistance from one of several resources.  
    Get more information on Illinois 
social services and public assistance 
by county below, or call them at 
1-800-843-6154.
Temporary Assistance for 
Needy Families (TANF)
    The Illinois Department of Human 
Services runs the Temporary Assistance 
or Needy Families (TANF) program, 
which is focused on families with 
one or more dependent children 
and/or pregnant women.  
    Qualified individuals may be able 
to get help with a temporary cash 
assistance and other government 
benefits.  
    Some of the expenses that 
TANF in Illinois can help pay for 
include utilities, food, shelter, 
housing, and other emergencies 
expenses other than medical bills.
  The publicly funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program maybe able to offer cash grants and temporary financial assistance for either of the following categories of families.  Resources can help either pregnant women or assistance is offered for families with one or more dependent children.  Money from TANF can help pay for basic needs and expenses that people have every day, like food, utilities, rent, and housing. Read more on cash assistance in Illinois. In addition, another key of the public assistance program is paying for transitional services and self-sufficiency type programs.  The state of Illinois wants to ensure that families become independent, so TANF supports and can help with items such as
GED preparation 
Job retention services
Vocational training
Postsecondary education
Classes in basic English
Help with childcare
Work stipends
Help people find work, etc.