Eviction Protections: Renters residing in public or assisted housing, or in a home or apartment whose owner has a federally backed mortgage, and who are unable to pay their rent, are protected from eviction for 4 months. Property owners are also prohibited from issuing a 30-day notice to a tenant to vacate a property until after the 4-month moratorium ends. This protection covers properties that receive federal subsidies such as public housing, Section 8 assistance, USDA rural housing programs, and federally-issued or guaranteed mortgages. Renters whose landlord is not abiding by the moratorium should contact the relevant federal agency that administers their housing program or their local Legal Aid office.
Mortgage Forbearance: Homeowners with FHA, USDA, VA, or Section 184 or 184A mortgages (for members of federally-recognized tribes) and those with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac have the right to request forbearance on their payments for up to 6 months, with a possible extension for another 6 months without fees, penalties, or extra interest.
Energy Assistance: The CARES Act includes $900 million to help low-income Americans and their families heat and cool their homes. To learn more about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Illinois go to https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/communityservices/utilitybillassistance/pages/default.aspx
Food Assistance: If you are struggling to put food on the table for yourself or your family during this crisis, the CARES Act makes increased investments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps. To apply for SNAP in Illinois go to http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30357 or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services Midwest Regional office located at 77 West Jackson Blvd 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-3507, or call 312-353-6664.
Food Banks: The CARES Act secures $850 million in emergency funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks facing increased demand due to the coronavirus. Visit http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30366 for more information or find a food bank near you here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. To find further food assistance near you, call the USDA National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY/1-877-8-HAMBRE.
