Start Here

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. I hope you're doing as well as you can today. If life just got hard, or it's been hard for a while, I'm really glad you found this. You are not alone, and there's more help in Illinois than most people know about.

This is the place to start. In a few pages, we'll walk through the first calls to make, how help usually works here, and which of our 14 guides fits what you need right now.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.
• Everything here is at no cost. No sign up, no paywall.

What should I do first?

When everything feels urgent, it helps to sort it out. Here's a simple order that works for a lot of people.

You don't have to fix everything today. Just take the next step, and then the one after that.

From the Bunklow team

What is 211, and how does it work?

211 is a no cost phone line that connects you with local help. A real person answers, and they can point you to help with bills, food, housing, crisis support and more. 211 Illinois says every Illinois resident can reach at no cost, confidential 211 help 24 hours a day.

Just dial 211 from any phone, or text your ZIP code to 898211.

• In Chicago and suburban Cook County, 211 Metro Chicago answers 24/7, every day of the year. You can also chat or search at https://211metrochicago.org/
• Everywhere else in Illinois, you can search the statewide 211 directory at https://www.211illinois.org/
• Tell them your city or ZIP and what you need most.
• Ask for names, numbers and hours, and write them down.
• If the first idea doesn't work, call back and ask for another.

Sources: https://www.211illinois.org/ and https://211metrochicago.org/

BUNKLY TIP

Here is an easy one

Save 211, 988 and 911 as contacts in your phone right now. It takes ten seconds and you'll always have them. Easy peasy!

Which guide do I need?

We made 14 guides for Illinois. Here's what each one covers, so you can jump right to it.

• Guide 1, Start Here. This one. First steps and how help works.
• Guide 2, Emergency Shelter Tonight. Finding a safe place to sleep, what shelters are like, and what to do if they're full.
• Guide 3, Housing Help. Rent help, vouchers, Coordinated Entry and tips for renters.
• Guide 4, Food. Food today, SNAP, WIC and food banks.
• Guide 5, Clothing and Hygiene. No cost clothes, showers, laundry and hygiene items.
• Guide 6, Jobs and Job Training. Career centers, unemployment, resumes and training.
• Guide 7, Health and Mental Health. Clinics, Medicaid and crisis help.
• Guide 8, Domestic Violence Safety and Housing. Safe, private help and shelter.
• Guide 9, Veterans. VA help, benefits and housing for Veterans.
• Guide 10, Youth and Young Adults. Help for young people on their own, and school rights for kids without a stable home.
• Guide 11, Getting ID and Documents Back. Birth certificates, Illinois state ID cards and Social Security cards.
• Guide 12, Phones and Internet. Lifeline discounts, no cost WiFi and low cost internet.
• Guide 13, Legal and Tenant Help. No cost legal aid and renter rights.
• Guide 14, How to Make Blessing Bags. A simple way to help others.

How do I apply for benefits like SNAP and Medicaid?

In Illinois, food benefits (SNAP), Medicaid and All Kids health coverage, and cash help all go through one state website called ABE, the Application for Benefits Eligibility. You can apply online, on paper or in person, and applying is always at no cost.

You don't need to know if you qualify before you apply. HFS, the state Medicaid agency, says there is no penalty for applying, even if you are not found eligible.

• Apply at https://abe.illinois.gov/ and use Manage My Case to check your benefits, see when you need to renew, and keep your mailing address current. ABE is down on Sundays from 6 am to 11 am for upkeep. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://abe.illinois.gov/
• Questions? The IDHS Help Line is 1.800.843.6154 (TTY 1.866.324.5553). You can also visit an IDHS Family Community Resource Center near you. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=39331
• SNAP comes on an Illinois Link card, which works like a debit card at most grocery stores. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30357
• Lost, stolen or damaged card? Call the Illinois Link Help Line at 1.800.678.5465 (TTY 1.877.765.3459) as soon as you can to turn it off and order a new one. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=39331
• Protect your benefits from skimming. IDHS says to use only the ebtEDGE app or website, freeze your card when you're not using it, change your PIN often, and block out of state and online purchases. IDHS also says stolen SNAP benefits from December 21, 2024 on can no longer be replaced, so these steps really matter. IDHS will never call or text you to ask for your card number or PIN. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=35280

How do I get my ID and papers back?

So many things need an ID, so it's worth starting early. Here are the three big ones.

Guide 11 has the details.

• Birth certificate. If you were born in Illinois, the Department of Public Health (IDPH) issues certified copies. A long form copy is $15 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. IDPH says mailed requests take about 12 weeks, so start early. If you're homeless, you may be able to get copies at no fee when a shelter, legal aid, school homeless liaison or similar agency verifies your status. Ask IDPH or your agency, and check the details on the official page. Sources: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records/birth-records.html
• Illinois state ID. The Secretary of State issues state ID cards at its DMV offices. The card is at no cost if you are experiencing homelessness and bring a completed Homeless Status Certification along with proof of your name, date of birth, Social Security number and signature. It's also no cost for residents age 65 and older, for youth in care of DCFS ages 16 to 20, and for many people leaving prison or jail. If your card was stolen and you bring a police report, the replacement is at no cost. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers-license/drlicid.html
• Social Security card. The Social Security Administration explains how to replace a lost card, often online for adults. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.ssa.gov/number-card

How do I stay connected?

A working phone makes every other step easier. Guide 12 has more.

• Lifeline lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. The Illinois Commerce Commission says the discount can be up to $9.25 a month, one per household. You may qualify through SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing, or a Veterans or Survivors Pension, or if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. Apply through a Lifeline phone company or at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/ Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://icc.illinois.gov/consumers/universal-telephone-assistance-programs
• Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking may be able to get emergency Lifeline support. Check the details on the official page. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://icc.illinois.gov/api/web-management/documents/downloads/public/press-release/09-14-26%20Lifeline%20awareness.pdf
• EveryoneOn is a no cost search tool for low cost internet offers and computers. Search by ZIP at https://www.everyoneon.org/
• Public libraries have no cost computers and WiFi. Library numbers are in Guide 12.

BUNKLY TIP

Write it down

Keep a short list of every place you call, the time, and what they said. It makes call backs faster and way less stressful.

Where can I get help right away?

• In danger right now: call 911.
• Thinking about suicide or in emotional crisis: call or text 988. It's at no cost, private and open 24/7.
• Being hurt by a partner: the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is 877.863.6338, call or text, 24/7, with language help in more than 240 languages. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://the-network.org/illinois-domestic-violence-hotline/
• Veterans: the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is 877.424.3838, and the Veterans Crisis Line is 988, then press 1.
• Young people: 1 800 RUNAWAY is 1.800.786.2929.

Questions people ask a lot

BUNKLY TIP

I'm really glad you're here

Reaching out is a strong thing to do. If you have questions, please let me know. We're happy to help however we can!

Who can I call in my county?

Here are good first calls near you, starting with the counties where the most people live. If your county isn't listed, dial 211.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Illinois

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Chicago and Cook County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

DuPage County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lake County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Will County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Kane County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

McHenry County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Winnebago County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Madison County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

St. Clair County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Champaign County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Neighborhood: find what's closest

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My first steps plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

BUNKLY TIP

Please let me know if you have any questions

If something here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 17, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Affordable living. Simplified

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Last updated October 17, 2026