Last Updated on August 23, 2023 by Hannah Stevens
There are approximately 728,000 veterans residing in the state of Illinois. Many veterans across the country, including Illinois, experience financial difficulties every now and then. This is principally true when you think about the rising cost of living and stagnant salaries. It is vital that veterans from Illinois know where they can find help when they need it. These available grants for veterans in Illinois can help people pay their bills, and get back on track.
Grants can be a useful resource because they don’t have to be repaid. People who are in financial difficulties can receive help with paying their bills while trying to become self-sufficient. Illinois has many federally funded grant programs for veterans. These programs can help veterans who are eligible to pay rent, get food, pay utility bills, and obtain cash for their living expenses.
Grants offered for veterans in Illinois
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP may be available to veterans who require assistance in obtaining food. The program provides those approved with a monthly food purchase grant. Your income and the number of people living in your home will affect how much you receive. SNAP in Illinois is available to all citizens, even some non-citizens. Also, people are not denied the grant based on their income. You may be eligible for emergency food assistance within five days after your application, depending on your circumstances. It is allowed to submit your applications online or via mail. Click the link above to apply.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
For those who are struggling to pay their living expenses, there is an Illinois cash grant for veterans. The provided cash grants can be used for housing, bills, transportation, clothing, food and more. In order to qualify, you must have a dependent child not older than 18 years old (or 19 if they are a full-time student). Additionally, you have to be a resident of Illinois, be a citizen or a legal immigrant, and have a low income. You can apply for the grant by visiting your local community services office or calling them. Click the link above to apply.
This is also one of the available grants for veterans in Idaho.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Veterans who require assistance paying for housing might be eligible for HUD programs. The HUD programs are designed to prevent homelessness. They can help you pay rent, avoid foreclosure, find affordable housing and pay for home repairs. For you to be eligible, you must meet the low income requirements. When applying for the HUD in Illinois, you must first speak to one of their counselors, who will evaluate your housing needs and circumstances. Click the link above to apply.
HUD is also one of the grants for veterans in Indiana.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Illinois offers energy grants to veterans. These grants are federally funded and will give a one-time payment for your energy bills. Applications are accepted starting October 1 until December 31. You must meet the low income requirements, and you must also be responsible for paying the bill in order to be eligible. You can apply for LIHEAP online. This program, like other bill paying assistance, can help you make ends meet. Click the link above to apply.
Lifeline Program
Many veterans might choose not to purchase a phone because they are too expensive. But there are phone grants available for veterans in Illinois. The grant will offer assistance in paying for the phone bill each month, making it more affordable. The program will only require you to pay only $9.25 per month for their phone bill, while the government pays the remainder through the grant. You must meet the low income requirements to be eligible for the phone grant. Click the link above to apply.
Final Remark
Veterans living in Illinois may sometimes have difficulty paying their bills. Luckily, they can then turn to federal grant programs for assistance. These programs were created to help in times of financial difficulty. You can apply for all the grants and find out which ones you are eligible for. There is no limit on the amount of grants that you can receive at once.