Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County: Emergency Financial Assistance

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County is the county's commission under the Military Veterans Assistance Act; see the Illinois entry on Veterans Assistance Commissions. Its Emergency Financial Assistance programme gives short-term help to veterans and their dependents in financial hardship. What it pays, as the county lists it: Housing: rent or mortgage help up to $2,000 a year, to prevent eviction or foreclosure. Utilities: past-due electric, gas and water, up to $550 a year. Internet and phone: overdue bills, up to $100 each and $200 in all, once a year. Food: grocery gift cards twice a year, $200 for the veteran and $100 for each dependent. Hygiene: a $100 pharmacy card for the veteran and $100 for each dependent. Transportation: CTA and Pace bus cards for trips to VA, work, school and other essentials, 30 weeks with a caseworker's referral and five more weeks without one. Burial: up to $3,000 toward burial or cremation of an eligible veteran. Payments go straight to the landlord, utility or provider, except the food, hygiene and transportation help. Who qualifies. A veteran with an honorable or general discharge, or one under honorable conditions, and "sufficient active service"; Cook County residence for at least three consecutive months; and household income within the Commission's guidelines for its size and need. The three-month residence rule and the income guidelines are the Commission's own; the Act requires only that the veteran need the help. Each application is decided case by case, with the DD-214, ID, proof of residence, proof of income and the bill or lease. The Commission is at the Hamilton Headquarters, 1100 S. Hamilton Avenue, Suite C-O11 (lower level), Chicago, open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; phone 312-433-6010.