Elk Grove Township's General Assistance Department administers several programs.  Please contact Director Julie Villarreal for more information. Or drop us an e-mail at  elkgrovega@dls.net                           

General Assistance:                                                     
General Assistance, or GA, is a public assistance program mandated by state law for adults that are ineligible for state or federal programs and who meet financial requirements.  GA can provide monthly allotments for shelter, food, clothing, personal essentials, and transportation through direct vendor disbursements. Decisions of eligibility are made based upon state guidelines.  Those interested township residents in need should call or come in to pick up an application. 

Emergency Assistance:
Emergency Assistance, or EA, is available to families with children who are facing a life threatening circumstance (such as eviction or utility disconnection) and meet township established financial guidelines.  Residents facing such situations should call for an appointment.  Families receiving TANF or SSI are ineligible.   

Food Pantry:
Elk Grove Township Emergency Food Pantry, which is stocked by community donations, is open to any township resident in need.  To receive food, a picture identification, proof of residency, (such as a lease or utility bill and proof of current household income) is required.  The food pantry can be accessed up to six times per year.  Donations are received all year round during regular business hours. 

Access To Care Intake:
Access To Care is a program offering primary medical care and treatment for minimal co-payments.  Suburban Cook County residents not covered by private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare and who qualify financially can enroll.  Please call the General Assistance Department to inquire.

Mobile Dental Clinic:                                                                                A joint venture with Northwest Community Hospital, Palatine Township and Wheeling Townships, this program offers preventative and simple restorative dental treatment in a state of the art clinic on wheels. Cost is a surprisingly low $20.00 per visit. Residents must be financially qualified. Contact the General Assistance Department to inquire and make an appointment.

Salvation Army Service Extension Unit:                                                                Elk Grove Township in combination with Elk Grove Village supply volunteers and act as a Service Extension Unit site for the Salvation Army. Funds are provided for emergencies, such as preventing eviction, utility disconnection, or and unexpected prescription cost.  Residents must be interviewed and qualified to receive funding. The joint Service Extension Unit also supplies volunteers for Donut Days and Red Kettle Bell Ringing. All funds donated during these collections are used for the needy within Elk Grove Township/Elk Grove Village community.

Seasonal Programs:                                                                                  During the summer, the Giving Garden invites residents with gardens to share their harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement the food pantry.  Fall has the school Days Campaign which provides required classroom supplies to low income families in District 59. Holiday programs round out the year with food baskets at Thanksgiving and Adopt-A-Family programs.  Our community spreads the Christmas spirit by giving clothes, food, and toys to its neighbors.

Information and Referral:
In addition to township programs, staff is knowledgeable of state and federal entitlements. Applications for most Illinois Department of Human Services programs are available and advocacy provided when necessary.  
                                                                                                                                   Judy Dixon Angel Fund:                                                                       Supported entirely by community donation, the Angel Fund was named to honor the previous General Assistance Director, as she believed that there are times in everyone life when "a little help from an angel" is needed to get through a tough situation. It is used to help individuals and families who are facing life threatening circumstances and are not qualified for the other mandated programs.

Herbert E. Linneweh Food Fund:                                                                              Begun with a generous bequest from a life long Mount Prospect resident, this fund is used to buy meat which supplements the non-perishable foods given out by the food pantry. Township residents who share Mr. Linneweh 's concern for their needy neighbors continue to provide cash donations to this fund, which are also used to purchase products when the pantry donations are low.  

A-OK Program: This program is designated to enable Elk Grove Township low-income seniors to have work done around their home by students from High School District 214. Seniors in need should call to schedule an appointment for a home visit.             

LIHEAP Now at Elk Grove Township!

Elk Grove Township will now be an intake site for Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. This program provides federal funding to help offset the costs of winter heating bills for low income residents. Direct credits with the utility companies can be made for natural gas, electric, propane and heating oil.

Residents must meet federally established income guidelines. All members of the household will be taken into account when providing income. Guidelines per household size are listed below.

             Household Size              Monthly Gross  Income       

1                              1,276

8                              4,321

Applicants attending the appointment must be the customer of record with the utility company. All utility bills must be current and provided in their entirety. Proof of income for the last 30 days and proof of residency are required. Additional regulations apply. Contact General Assistance Department to make an appointment.

Township Community Health Nurse!                  We are pleased to announce the addition of community health nurse Marge O'Brien RN, BSN.  Marge is available to complete home visits for seniors and disabled residents living in the unincorporated areas. Services offered by the Community Health Nurse are health assessments, screenings, blood pressure readings, and sugar checks. Marge will also provide health education to residents in need of such. Email Marge O'Brien at egtnurse@dls.net for further information.