Kankakee County Community Services helps families living in poverty. Various forms of financial assistance are provided along with other support, such as job placement and credit counseling services. All the programs are intended to end poverty in the region.
When it comes to providing financial support as well as grants, this will only be provided for emergency expenses. Everything from rent to water or heating bills may be paid, and they also offer repairs to furnace or AC units from LIHEAP. The Weatherization Assistance Program from Kankakee County Community Services makes use of state of Illinois and federal funding to increase the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income homeowners and renters. The program also provides replacements for poorly functioning, inefficient appliances, as needed. KCCSI serves as administrator for WAP in the area and can help people apply. When qualified they can be given insulation, caulking, programmable thermostats, and weather-stripping at no cost to a home’s occupants. The Kankakee County community action agency can provide referrals too.
Emergency heating and energy bill grants during the winter are from the Winter Crisis Program as well as LIHEAP. If the client’s furnace is broken, or needs a tune up, then LIHEAP can pay for those repairs. If the unit is beyond repair, then replacement units may be given.
People apply for this once-per-year assistance with the prevention of heating service disconnection. Money can also pay electric bills throughout the year. Or a grant may be used to help pay for a portion of restoration of services for households whose service has been disconnected. The financial aid may also provide payment for an emergency delivery of bulk heating fuel when a 10-day or less supply of fuel remains. The goal is to keep the power and heat on of low-income families in Kankakee County.
KCCSI also helps with employment needs and overall financial literacy. Students with decent grants and that come from low income households can learn about scholarships as well as loan programs
The Emergency Services Program coordinates preventative services:
-Shelter (including transitional housing).
-Food and hot meals.
-Propane/Deliverable Fuel.
-Work clothing or gas vouchers will be waiting on the first paycheck.
-Critical household items.
-Rent, including security deposits or first month’s rent. This is available from KCCSI if the applicant has been displaced, evicted, or is living in a homeless shelter.
-Utilities such as water, electricity, and gas bills.
Kankakee County Community Services will try to refer clients to other assistance as well. Much of this will be public aid programs. They are used for long term support, so clients can get help in applying for food stamps and similar government services. They are also an intake site for senior care programs, such as Medicare.
The non-profit is the regional community action agency. Kankakee County Community Services is located at 657 E Court St, Kankakee, Illinois 60901. For details, call them at 815-933-7883.