Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can Illinoisians who are experiencing a housing crisis seek assistance?
For Illinoisians who are experiencing a housing crisis please visit:
Rental Help: Illinois | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
2. What support services exist for recently arrived migrants?
The Illinois Department of Human Services has listed support services offered to recently arrived migrants.
To view these services and for more information, please visit: IDHS: Support Services for Recently Arrived Migrants (state.il.us)
3. Where can unhoused individuals apply for emergency food, shelter, and/or clothing?
Unhoused individuals can apply for emergency food, shelter, and or clothing through The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). IDHS offers a Crisis Assistance Program for families who have an immediate need for food, shelter, or clothing. The Crisis Assistance Program in Cook County includes shelter for individuals and families.
If you need food and are not already getting SNAP benefits, you may also be eligible for expedited service for SNAP benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
If you are eligible, expedited service can provide SNAP benefits within five calendar days of the date you apply.
Please use the IDHS Office Locator at: IDHS: Office Locator (state.il.us) and visit your local IDHS office or dial the IDHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 for more assistance:
IDHS: Crisis Assistance Program & Expedited Services for SNAP - DHS 3337 (state.il.us)
4. Is there a number to call to receive emergency housing in Illinois?
If you are homeless or facing homelessness, please dial 2-1-1 for Illinois residents and 3-1-1 for Chicago residents to be connected with food, medical, shelter, recovery, and other services.
For more information, please visit 211.org or 311.Chicago.gov for non-emergency services.
For more information on housing, please visit: HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
5. What is the Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP)?
The Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) provides funding to Illinois tenants and landlords across the state (outside of Cook County) who have pending cases in eviction court. The program is only available to litigants in eviction court. Applicants may qualify for up to $25,000 in emergency rental payments that can include up to 15 months of past-due rent and 3 months of future rent payments to prevent eviction.
The CBRA Program is managed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. For more information, please use this link: IHDA Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program
Residents of Cook County can access Court-Based Rental Assistance to prevent eviction through the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt. For more information, please use this link: Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt
6. What is the Housing Choice voucher program?
The Housing Choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants can find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.
Housing Choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
For application information, please visit: HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program
A full list of Public Housing Agencies can be found at:
PHA Contact Information | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
7. Are emergency hotel vouchers available in Illinois?
For more information on Emergency and Transitional Housing and hotel vouchers, please visit: IDHS: Emergency & Transitional Housing Program (state.il.us)
The Emergency and Transitional Housing Program gives immediate and comprehensive shelter services to homeless persons and persons at risk of becoming homeless.
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, you may contact a list of ETH providers in your area at : IDHS: FY 22 Emergency and Transitional Housing Providers (state.il.us)
8. Where to find Free Legal Aid and Eviction Assistance?
Eviction Help Illinois provides Free Legal Help for Illinois Residents who are renters facing potential eviction and landlords not represented by a lawyer.
For more information, please visit: Eviction Help Illinois - Legal Solutions for Your Housing Issues.
855-631-0811 or
Chicago and Cook County: Cook County LEGAL AID for Housing and Debt
855-956-5763
A full list of Illinois Legal Assistance providers can be found at HUD Legal Aid: Legal Assistance: Illinois | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
9. What agencies assist with obtaining a Free Birth Certificate or State ID?
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless offers free Birth Certificates and State IDs for Cook County and Illinois residents if they meet certain criteria.
For more information, please visit: Birth Certificate Request Forms - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (chicagohomeless.org)
10. Who should I contact if I have additional questions that are not listed here?
If you have additional questions that are not listed, you may email the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness at homeless.office@illinois.gov.
If you have questions about any Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) program, call or visit your Family Community Resource Center. 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
(866) 324-5553 TTY/Nextalk or 711 TTY Relay
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 write:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer Support Services
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62762