Grants for Veterans in Illinois

It is estimated that there are roughly 728,000 veterans living in the state of Illinois. Many veterans in Illinois, and around the nation, fall on hard times once in a while. They may be between jobs or they may have a job with a salary that isn’t keeping pace with the rising cost of living. It is important that veterans in Illinois know that there are resources they can turn to when they need assistance.  The grants for veterans in Illinois will help people pay their bills and get back on their feet.

Grants are helpful resources, because they do not have to be paid back. This means that those who are experiencing difficult financial times can get help paying the bills, while they are striving to become self sufficient. There are numerous federally funded grant programs in Illinois for veterans. The programs will help those who qualify to pay their rent, obtain food, pay their utility bills, and obtain cash that they can use for living expenses.

Types of Grants for Veterans in Illinois

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Veterans who need assistance obtaining food may qualify for SNAP. The program provides those who are approved with a monthly grant that can be used to purchase food. The amount of monthly benefit you receive depends on such factors as your income and how many people live in your home. In Illinois, SNAP is open to most people, including some non-citizens. They also don’t deny people the grant because of their income level. They may be able to provide emergency food assistance within five days of applying, depending on your situation. You can apply online or by mailing in your application. To apply, click here.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – There are cash grants for veterans in Illinois for those who need help paying for living expenses. The cash grants can be used to pay for bills, transportation, clothing, food, housing, and more. To qualify for TANF, you have to have a dependent child age 18 and under (or 19 if they are a full time student). You also have to be a resident of Illinois, be a citizen or meet immigrant requirements, and have a low income. You can apply for TANF at your local community services office or by calling them. To apply, click here.

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Veterans who need assistance paying for housing may qualify for programs through HUD. The HUD programs aim to help people avoid homelessness. They will help pay rent, avoid foreclosure, locate affordable housing, and pay for necessary home repairs. To qualify, you have to meet the low income requirements. To apply for HUD in Illinois, you first need to speak with one of their counselors, who will assess your situation and housing needs. To apply, click here.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – There are energy grants for veterans in Illinois. The grants are federally funded and will provide a one-time payment of your energy bill. The program begins taking applications every October 1 and takes them through December 31. To qualify for the program, you have to meet the low income requirements and be the person responsible for paying the bill. You can apply for LIHEAP online.  Bill paying assistance like this program offers a good way to help make ends meet. To apply, click here.

Lifeline Program – Many veterans may choose to go without a phone, because it can be costly to have one. However, there are phone grants for veterans in Illinois. The grant will help to pay for the phone, making it more affordable each month. Those who are approved for the program will only have to pay $9.25 per month for their phone bill, and the government will pay for the rest of the bill with a grant. To qualify for the phone grant, you have to meet the low income requirements. To apply, click here.

Veterans living in the state of Illinois may at times find it difficult to pay their bills. This is when they can turn to the federal grant programs for help. The programs are in place to help during these difficult financial times. Apply for all of the programs and see which grants you can qualify for, because there is no limit to the number of grants you can receive at one time.