State of Illinois
Department of Human Services
The Division of Human Capital Development oversees six regional and 99 local, full-service Family Community Resource Centers that serve as the first point of contact for Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) customers. The division helps Illinois families achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through a variety of support programs and services. Staff in each office assist families to apply for and receive these benefits and help link them to other state agencies and community-based organizations in their area for needed services. Customers are fully involved in their service planning and share responsibility for reaching their goals for self-sufficiency or maximum independence.
Cash, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits, and Medical Assistance
You may apply for benefits in person. However, for convenience, we recommend that you apply for benefits online at the IDHS web site. Many times, an interview can be handled by phone and the required paperwork can be sent by mail. If qualified, you will receive an Illinois Link Card (a plastic card that looks and works like a debit card) for cash and/or SNAP benefits. Once you receive your card, you can manage your benefits from home, either by using the toll-free Illinois Link Help Line, 1-800-678-5465 or 1-877-765-3 459 (TTY) or by using the Illinois Link Card web site.
To apply in person, you will need to locate the IDHS Family Community Resource Center that serves customers in your area. Call the IDHS Help Line, 1-800-843-6154 or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY) or use the online Office Locator on the IDHS web site,to locate your correct office.
Here are some of the Illinois Link Card benefits you can apply for:
Medicaid Programs are administered through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, with customer service provided at the IDHS Family Community Resource Centers. Medical assistance can be provided to citizens who meet financial criteria and are blind, disabled, age 65 and older; or have children under the age of 19 or are pregnant. Apply online or at a Family Community Resource Center. Medical benefits are provided on a medical card that is different than the Illinois Link Card.
Child Care Assistance helps low income working families find and pay for quality child care. Check out the IDHS Child Care Assistance program Eligibility Calculator, on the IDHS web site, to get an idea if you qualify, then contact the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agencies to apply or get information about available child care choices in your area; they can be reached at 1-800-649-1884.
Migrant Head Start provides child care and social services for preschool children of low income migrant and seasonal farm workers. For information about the program and phone numbers of services in your area, see the web site.
The Division's Gateway to Other Services
IDHS is the gateway to many services. Some are funded and monitored by the department through the Division of Human Capital Development, but are delivered through contracted providers. See the IDHS web site for more information about these programs and services and where you may find them close to your location:
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) puts cash back in your pocket. IDHS can assist with getting local help for filing your taxes to show you how to use this benefit.
- Homeless Prevention serves households in immediate danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless due to an economic crisis beyond its control.
- Supportive Housing helps prevent people returning to or falling into homelessness by strengthening their ability to function independently.
- Emergency and Transitional Housing provides funding for meals, shelter and supportive services to non-profit organizations and local governments.
- Emergency Food Program (EFP) provides food at no cost to help supplement the diets of needy low-income households.
- Financial Literacy helps limited-resource individuals understand and develop good financial management and consumer practices. Classes are taught by non-for-profit agencies or University of Illinois Educators.
- Immigrant and Refugee Services help meet the special needs of our foreign-born population with outreach programs, interpretation and other specialized services, and classes such as English as a Second Language, civics, and US history.
- Healthy Child Care Illinois provides a network of registered nurses who help child care workers provide quality care for the well-being of Illinois' children, including training, consulting, assessments, policy development, conference planning, and playground safety.
For more information call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services' Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).
If you have questions about any Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) program, call or visit your FCRC. We will answer your questions.
If you do not know where your FCRC is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at: 1-800-843-6154 (Voice) 1-800-447-6404 (TTY)
You may speak to a representative between: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (except state holidays)
For answers to your questions, you may also write:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer Support and Services
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Visit our web site at: www.dhs.state.il.us
Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.
DHS 4030 (N-10-11) Fact Sheet - Human Capital Development (HCD)
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.
