COMED is reporting that 127,00 customers experienced outages because of extreme weather with hurricane-force winds, in excess of 90 miles per hour, that resulted in severe damage across the Northern Illinois service territory.
SNAP recipients who lost food because of the recent wind storm power outages should complete, sign, and submit a Request for Replacement of Destroyed Food form.
Most Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Centers (FCRC) are closed.
The best way to submit this form is by email to the SNAP recipient’s local FCRC.
Click the links below to download the form in English and Spanish.
You can find your nearest FCRC using the table below.
A request for replacement SNAP must be submitted within 10 calendar days of the power outage
In the case of the recent wind storms, that would be AUGUST 20, 2020.
Apply by August 21st to join Growing Home’s paid Production Assistant job training program.
Growing Home’s urban organic farm is once again hiring for its Production Assistant job training program.
Based in Englewood, Growing Home is Chicago’s leading expert in farm-based training for people with employment barriers.
Growing Home knows that when people have jobs, they have financial stability in their lives. Financial stability helps people eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle.
Also, when communities have access to healthy food options, the overall well-being and health of the community improves.
Growing Home’s paidProduction Assistant job training program combines time spent working on the on-site urban farm with lessons on work readiness and environmental literacy, an emotional resilience curriculum, and ongoing support for career success post-graduation.
Applicants who are accepted begin with a job training program that pays $16/hour for 16-20 hours per week.
The job training program will be via remote learning due to COVID-19.
Applicants must be 18 years or older, unemployed, and Chicago residents.
Participants are meant to transition into permanent, full-time employment after graduation.
Program participants also have opportunities to earn professional certifications, gain access to free legal consultation for record sealing and expungement, and receive the support of a case manager available to provide referrals for supportive services.
COVID-19 Considerations
Growing Home will continue to facilitate the 2020 program as a blended virtual and in-person curriculum.
Farm-based portions of the program will still be held on-site with heightened health and safety measures.
All traditionally classroom-based lessons will be facilitated virtually over Zoom.
Attached to this email is an updated Production Assistant Job Description that provides more detail on exactly what the blended on-site/remote job training program will look like.
Applying
Application Deadline for Cohort 3: August 21st, 2020
The application process will be run entirely remotely. It is outlined at the end of the Job Description flyer.
If you have any questions about the remote application process or the program, you can reach out to Amelia Nawn, Growing Home’s Program Operations Coordinator, at anawn@growinghomeinc.org.
Community Organizations: Are you interested in receiving training on P-EBT outreach and how to talk to immigrant families about P-EBT? Do you have P-EBT questions your clients keep asking? If so, reach out to pif@povertylaw.org for free training.
SNAP Recertification Extension
Did you recently receive a SNAP Recertification Letter from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)? If so, please read on!
Illinois households that were scheduled to have their SNAP recertification in July and August 2020 will automatically have their SNAP certification period extended 6 months.
If you were going to be recertified in July, your recertification will be extended to January 2021.
If you were going to be recertified in August, your recertification will be pushed back to February 2021.
Unfortunately, IDHS already sent some recertification letters out.
Your benefits will not expire if you received a recertification letter for July or August 2020.
Maximum SNAP Benefits
All Illinois households receiving SNAP benefits will receive the maximum SNAP benefit for July and August.
COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Assistance applications will now be accepted until Monday, August 14th at 11:59PM.
Photo by Ryan Maia
The City of Chicago recently announced an additional $25 million in COVID-19 rent and mortgage relief funding this month for Chicagoans impacted by coronavirus.
Deadline: COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Assistance applications will be accepted from Monday, July 27 at 10:00AM until Friday, August 14th at 11:59PM.
Note: The original deadline was Monday, August 10th. It has been extended to Friday, August 14th.
A lottery (randomized) system will be used to select applications that will receive funding through this program.
This is intended to create a level equity and fairness. A first come, first serve system would favor applicants who happen to be more experienced using the Internet or who have all the required documents readily available.
Since a lottery system will be used, applicants who apply first will not receive higher priority.
You can also apply in person at one of six Chicago Community Service Centers:
Englewood Community Service Center
1140 West 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620, 312-747-0200
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Garfield Community Service Center
10 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-746-5400
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Center
4314 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653, 312-747-2300
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
North Area Community Service Center
845 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640, 312-744-2580
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Chicago Community Service Center
8650 South Commercial Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617, 312-747-0500
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Trina Davila Community Service Center
4312 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639, 312-744-2014
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Deadline: COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Assistance applications will be accepted from Monday, July 27 at 10:00AM until Monday, August 14th at 11:59PM.
More Info
Required Documents: The City of Chicago will ask for documentation to verify identity, social security number, income amount, and proof of housing. For more information about required documents, click here.
FrequentlyAsked Questions: For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the City of Chicago’s COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program, click here.
A list of locations offering free meals for families in need this week in response to program stoppages
Photo credit: Chicago Mayor’s Office
This blog post was adapted from this article by Block Club Chicago.
Chicago Public Schools suspended its free meal program on Monday, June 1st, but the program will return Tuesday, June 2nd. Here’s a list of CPS meal sites. All previously scheduled meal deliveries will still be delivered. People who want to sign up for future deliveries from CPS can call 773-553-KIDS.
In response to food program stoppages, neighborhood groups and local restaurants are coming together to offer relief. Here is a list of locations offering free meals for families in need this week.
The 40th Ward Neighbor Network will deliver meals from CPS schools to families that need them Monday, according to Ald. Andre Vasquez. You can sign up to help here.
Humboldt Park Montessori, 2540 W. Division St., will have bagged lunches for families needing food starting at 12:15pm until they run out.
The Pilsen Food Pantry was calling for volunteers to help with additional food distribution Monday.
Cesar’s Killer Margaritas, 3166 N. Clark St. is distributing boxed meals for families in need from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in light of the CPS news. “We ask you practice social distance, and have a face mask,” the restaurant’s owners posted on Facebook.
Christ Lutheran Church at 3253 W. Wilson Ave is providing food for families. If you can donate, you can bring by groceries before 1 p.m. The most useful items are bread, sandwich toppings, peanut butter & jelly, rice, soups, non-perishables, microwavable meals and fruits (other than apples).
The Rogers Park Community Response Team is working with local food pantries and restaurants for CPS families in need of food assistance. Those in need can contact the response team’s hotline at 773-831-7668.
A small group of people are giving away prepared and canned food 1-3 p.m. Monday ay 3000 N. Kedzie Ave.
39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent’s office is also working with neighbors in need of food assistance. Please call her office at 773-736-5594 if you or someone you know is in need.
New Life Community Church at 3729 W. Leland Ave. is giving out food, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Mexican restaurant Mi Tocaya — in partnership with Logan Square Neighborhood Association and The Power of 10 initiative — is giving out free meals to Logan Square families in need each week. On Tuesday, the giveaways start at 11 a.m. at Monroe Elementary, 3651 W. Schubert Ave. Check lsna.net for a full pickup schedule.
Teachers and staff at Brentano Math & Science Academy, 2723 N. Fairfield Ave., are giving out food. Contact: (773) 534-4100
Illinois’ Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program (P-EBT) will provide 316,000 Illinois households with additional funds to replace the meals children can’t access while schools are closed via LINK cards.
UPDATE: The P-EBT application deadline in Illinois has been extended to August 31st!
Families have to apply for SNAP or P-EBT by July 15th August 31st to get any P-EBT. The state will no longer accept P-EBT applications after August 31st. Note: Previously, the deadline to apply for P-EBT was July 15th. That deadline was extended by IDHS.
Note: When applying for P-EBT, you are not required to enter a Social Security Number (SSN)! The application will ask for your SSN, but this is optional. However, inputting your SSN (if you have one) will allow your application to be processed more quickly.
UPDATE: For families who were enrolled in free and reduced price meals in March, if they enroll in SNAP or P-EBT in June, they will get P-EBT benefits retroactive to March – approximately $342 worth of benefits.
CPS families are automatically enrolled in free and reduced price meals. Therefore, all CPS families are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits retroactive to March.
P-EBT provides an EBT card that can be used at authorized retailers to offset the cost of meals that would have been consumed at school.
P-EBT provides the value of school meals at the rate of $5.70 per child per school day.
All CPS families qualify for P-EBT Benefits, but must submit an application for P-EBT if they are not enrolled in SNAP!
Households with children enrolled in free or reduced-price school meals, or with a child attending a school that provides all meals for free, can apply directly for P-EBT.
Households at or below 185% of the federal poverty guideline but who are not receiving SNAP or free or reduced-price school meals should first call their child’s school to enroll in free or reduced-price meals and then apply for P-EBT.
CPS families do not need to do this. They should apply directly for P-EBT.
Current SNAP participants are automatically eligible for P-EBT and should see the benefit increase on their LINK card.
P-EBT will be in place until August 31st.
Info for Immigrants and Refugees:
The public charge test does not consider receipt of P-EBT benefits. Using P-EBT benefits will not impact a parent or child’s immigration status.
Undocumented households with school-aged children are eligible for P-EBT.
A Social Security Number (SSN) is not required to apply for P-EBT. The application asks applicants for their SSN, but this is an optional question.
The deadline to apply for P-EBT in Illinois is now August 31st.
Current and newly approved SNAP recipients will automatically see these benefits deposited on their LINK Card.
Those not currently on SNAP will have to complete a simplified application and if approved will be mailed a LINK card. This application can be completed through the ABE Online Application system. Approved applicants will receive a LINK card in the mail.
To apply for P-EBT directly through IDHS, use the ABE Online Application system or call 800-843-6154. There’s also a paper application that can be filled out and faxed or emailed to IDHS – links to the paper application can be found below.
If you have any questions for IDHS, issues applying, or are wrongfully denied P-EBT benefits, you can contact IDHS by emailing dhs.fcs.pebt@illinois.gov.
Growing Home’s urban organic farm is currently hiring for its Production Assistant job training program.
Growing Home’s urban organic farm is currently hiring for its Production Assistant job training program.
Based in Englewood, Growing Home is Chicago’s leading expert in farm-based training for people with employment barriers. They know that, when people have jobs, they have economic stability in their lives; this stability allows for healthy people and families. And when communities have access to healthy food options, the overall well-being and health of the residents improves.
Growing Home’s job training program combines time spent working on the on-site urban farm with lessons on work readiness and environmental literacy, an emotional resilience curriculum, and ongoing support for career success post-graduation.
Program Highlights:
Applicants who are accepted begin with a job training program that pays $16/hour for 16-20 hours per week.
The job training program will be via remote learning due to COVID-19.
Applicants must be 18 years or older, unemployed, and Chicago residents.
Participants are meant to transition into permanent, full-time employment after graduation.
Program participants also have opportunities to earn professional certifications, gain access to free legal consultation for record sealing and expungement, and receive the support of a case manager available to provide referrals for supportive services.
Last Day to Submit an Application: Friday, June 12th 2020
Nontraditional workers whose businesses have been shuttered by the stay at home order can now apply for unemployment benefits through the State of Illinois’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program.
The information below was adapted from this article by Block Club Chicago.
Nontraditional workers whose businesses have been shuttered by the stay at home order can now apply for unemployment benefits through the State of Illinois’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program.
Those who qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program must first file a regular unemployment claimonline or over the phone. Governor Pritzker has recommended people file online.
On May 11, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will launch a mutual aid fund providing one-time emergency grants of up to $500 to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) hopes to quickly process applications and distribute funds to those hit hardest by COVID-19 and its economic impact. The fund will be overseen and led by a committee of grassroots leaders with lived experience of homelessness.
Individuals interested in applying can apply online or over the phone beginning Monday, May 11 at 9 a.m. through Friday, May 15at 5 p.m.
To apply over the phone, individuals can call and speak to an operator at (312) 641-4148 between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Outside of those hours, people can leave a message and will receive a return call to fill out the application.
The online application is available in Spanish, and Spanish-speaking phone operators can be reached at the above number.
For more information, please visit this webpage or view the flyers below.
Register for NowPow’s free CommRx referral platform to see which agencies are continuing to operate in your area during COVID-19.
Do you want to make sure you refer community members to organizations that are still open during the COVID-19 crisis?
NowPow is constantly updating the operating hours and services of community organizations in Chicago. Register for NowPow’s free CommRx referral platform to see which agencies are continuing to operate in your area.
Northwest Food Partners Network 