- Legal EditorHenry Dahut, J.D.
Henry Dahut, J.D.
Founder and CEO at GotTrouble.org
Henry Dahut is a licensed California trial attorney. Over the course of his 30-plus years practicing law, Henry has represented and counseled countless clients in legal trouble.
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GotTrouble.org provides information on Illinois’s local, state, and federal resources for people facing life-changing financial hardship. We provide information on helpful services from private, public, religious, and non-profit organizations.
FEDERAL RESOURCES:
Hunger
Feeding America.
(Available In Illinois)
Feeding America is one of the leading national hunger-relief organizations providing food assistance for over 25 million low-income people nationwide, including children and seniors.
Homeless Shelters
Shelters
Thrift Stores
Salvation Army
(Available In Illinois)
Assists children, women, elderly men, addicts, and families through troubled times. Find a location near you.
Social Security
Social Security Disability Insurance (SDI)
(Available In Illinois)
The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you are “insured.” This means you worked long enough – and recently enough – and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The SSI program pays benefits to adults and children who meet our requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income and resources.
Supplemental Income (SSI)
(Available In Illinois)
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people aged 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
Food Assistance – SNAP
(Available In Illinois)
Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is federally funded. The program helps people buy the food they need for good health. People can also buy garden seeds with SNAP benefits.
Temporary Cash
Temporary Cash Assistance
(Available In Illinois)
TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It is a joint program between all states and the Federal government that provides cash payments to help families pay for food, clothing, housing, and other essentials. The program is for families with children aged 18 and younger; families who qualify for this help have little to no money or lack access to financial resources.
Public Housing
Public Housing – Section 8
(Available In Illinois)
The Public Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance payments on behalf of low-income individuals and families, including the elderly and persons with disabilities. The program provides financial assistance for decent, safe, and sanitary housing to eligible households whose annual gross income does not exceed 50% of HUD’s median income guidelines.
Health Clinics
Health Services Clinics
(Available In Illinois)
Medicaid is a federal cooperative venture that provides medical coverage to eligible needy persons. The purpose of Medicaid is to improve the health of people in the state who might otherwise go without medical care for themselves and their children.
To be eligible for Medicaid, you must be a state resident, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or a legal alien in need of health care/insurance assistance whose financial situation is low. You must also be one of the following:
- Pregnant, or
- Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or
- Blind, or
- Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability.
- Be 65 years of age or older.
Child Health Assistance
Child Healthcare CHIP
(Available In Illinois)
Members in the CHIP program can get benefits like:
- Regular checkups with the doctor and dentist.
- Prescription drugs and vaccines.
- Hospital care and services.
- X-rays and lab tests.
- Vision and hearing care.
- Access to medical specialists and mental health care.
- Treatment of special health needs and pre-existing conditions.
Legal Aid Services
Legal Aid
(Available In Illinois)
Inquire to see if you qualify for free or low-cost legal assistance.
Many Legal Aid Locations Cover The Following Areas of Law:
- consumer law
- landlord tenant
- foreclosure
- public benefits
- tax relief
- family law
- domestic violence
- sexual assault
- crime victim rights
NATIONAL EMERGENCY HOTLINES:
Local Critical Emergency (Dial 911)
Non-Critical Emergency (Dial 211)
Suicide Prevention
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or Lifeline Chat
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project: 800-832-1901
STAND! For Families Free of Violence crisis line: 888-215-5555
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453
Darkness to Light Child Sexual Abuse National Helpline: 866-367-5444
Stop it Now! Prevent child sexual abuse helpline: 888-PREVENT
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Hotline: 800-843-5678
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656- 4673
Elder Abuse
Eldercare Locator Abuse and Neglect: 800-677-1116
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) directory of state helplines
Addiction
(Available In Illinois)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (substance abuse and mental health): 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)
Partnership to End Addiction: 855-378-4373 or text CONNECT to 55753 to get one-on-one help to address your child’s substance use
National Problem Gambling Helpline Network: 800-522-4700
Smokefree.gov helpline to stop smoking: 800-784-8669.
National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline: 877–44U–QUIT (877–448–7848)
ADHD
(Available In Illinois)
Contact an ADHD Specialist at CHADD: 866-200-8098
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
(Available In Illinois)
Alzheimer’s Association helpline: 800-272-3900.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America AFA helpline: 866-232-8484
Lewy Body Dementia Association Lewy Line: 800-539-9767.
Eldercare Locator – U.S. Administration on Aging: 800-677-1116
Autism
(Available In Illinois)
Autism Society National Helpline: 800-328-8476
Bullying
(Available In Illinois)
Crisis Support Services National Helpline: 800-273-8255
Teen Line: 800-852-8336
Caregiving
(Available In Illinois)
Caregiver Action Network caregiver help desk: 855-227-3640
Alzheimer’s Association helpline: 800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America AFA helpline: 866-232-8484
Eldercare Locator – U.S. Administration on Aging: 800-677-1116
AARP caregiving resource line: 877-333-5885
VA’s National Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
Eating Disorders
(Available In Illinois)
National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 800-931-2237 (talk or text)
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) eating disorders helpline: 888-375-7767
Mental Health
(Available In Illinois)
National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI Help-Line: 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741
Crisis Support Services National Helpline: 800-273-8255
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (substance abuse and mental health): 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)
Teen Line for Youth: 800-852-8336
LGBTQ+
(Available In Illinois)
LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564, 800-246-7743 (Youth Talkline), or 888-234-7243 (Senior Hotline)
Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
Trans-Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project: 800-832-1901
Parenting
(Available In Illinois)
National Parent Helpline: 855-427-2736
Partnership to End Addiction: 855-378-4373 or text CONNECT to 55753 to get one-on-one help to address your child’s substance use
Crying Baby Hotline: 866-243-2229
Fussy Baby Warmline: 888-431-BABY (888-431-2229)
Self-Harm
(Available In Illinois)
S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Abuse Finally Ends) self-harm helpline: 800-DONT CUT (800-366-8288)
Teen Trouble
(Available In Illinois)
Teen Line for youth in need of support: 800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863
Boys Town crisis hotline for girls and boys: 800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121
Thursday’s Child National Helpline for teens and young adults: 800-USA-KIDS (800-872-5437)
National Runaway Safeline for runaway and homeless youth, teens in crisis, and concerned family/friends: 800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929)
Veterans Crisis
(Available In Illinois)
Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 (Press 1)
Vet Center Call Center hotline for veterans and their families to talk with another combat veteran: 877-WAR-VETS (877-927-8387)
VA’s National Caregiver Support Line for veterans and their caregivers/family members: 855-260-3274
Please Help Us Add To Our List!
Courageous individuals and organizations from the private and public sectors are developing innovative ways of fighting hunger, providing shelter, and offering creative solutions to many life-changing troubles.
If you know of such an organization, please contact us, and if your suggestion is approved, we will post the information on our site.
