Chicago
Ask about Chicago
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Chicago and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Chicago
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · City office
Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
1615 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
Help here
- Human services and public benefits referralsContact the department for guidance and referrals to public benefits and other support.
- Homeless servicesCall 311 to start a request for shelter services in Chicago.
- Senior servicesFind city programs and support services for older adults.
- Youth and family servicesFind city services for children, youth, and families.
- Workforce development and reentryFind city workforce development and reentry services.
- New arrival servicesFind city resources for immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chicago.gov
Local office · Regional office
2-1-1 Metro Chicago
Help here
- Health and social service referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with food, housing, health care, utilities, and other needs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211metrochicago.org
Housing authority · City office
Department of Housing
Help here
- Housing help for renters and homeownersFind city housing information and programs for renters and homeowners.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chicago.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Chicago Housing Authority
60 E. Van Buren St., Chicago, IL 60605
Help here
- Public housing and housing choice vouchersContact CHA for help with public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on thecha.org
Utilities · City office
Utility Billing and Customer Service
121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602
Help here
- Utility bill payment and account helpGet help with your City of Chicago water and sewer bill and utility account.
- Utility Billing ReliefEligible residents can apply for reduced water and sewer charges and help with past due city utility bills.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on utilitybill.chicago.gov
Human services · City office
Commission on Human Relations
Help here
- Discrimination and fair housing complaintsFile a complaint about discrimination covered by Chicago's human rights or fair housing laws.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chicago.gov
Human services · City office
Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
Help here
- Disability services and accessibility supportContact the office for help with disability services, accessibility, housing, and transportation resources.
- Free amplified phone, TTY, and CapTel programAsk about free communication equipment and services for people with hearing loss or speech disabilities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chicago.gov
Local office · City office
311 City Services
Help here
- Non-emergency city servicesCall 311 to request help with non-emergency city services or get information about city programs and agencies.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chicago.gov
Immigrant services · City office
Office of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights
Help here
- Immigrant, migrant, and refugee resourcesFind city information and resources for immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chicago.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Illinois Department of Employment Security, Pilsen Workforce Office
1700 W. 18th St., Chicago, IL 60608
Help here
- Unemployment and job servicesVisit an IDES workforce office for in-person unemployment and employment services.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ides.illinois.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Illinois Department of Employment Security, Woodlawn Workforce Office
1515 E. 71st St., Chicago, IL 60619
Help here
- Unemployment and job servicesVisit an IDES workforce office for in-person unemployment and employment services.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ides.illinois.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Illinois Department of Employment Security, Lincoln Square Workforce Office
2444 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60625
Help here
- Unemployment and job servicesVisit an IDES workforce office for in-person unemployment and employment services.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ides.illinois.gov
State office · State office
Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services, Chicago Flagship Center
125 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603
Help here
- Driver's license and state ID servicesVisit for driver's license and state ID services, including renewals and appointments.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ilsos.gov
Library · City office
Chicago Public Library
Help here
- Library servicesUse library locations and services across Chicago, including books, learning resources, and public programs.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chipublib.org
Parks and recreation · Regional office
Chicago Park District
4830 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60609
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind recreation programs, activities, and park locations across Chicago.
- Financial assistance for youth programsEligible Chicago families can apply for a discount on summer day camp and Park Kids program fees.Apply onlineRead more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on chicagoparkdistrict.com
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Chicago
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Greater Chicago Food Depository
4100 West Ann Lurie Place, Chicago, IL 60632
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Legal Aid Chicago
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
City of Chicago
Serves the City of Chicago only
1615 W. Chicago Avenue, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622-5127
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc.
Serves suburban Cook County
567 West Lake Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60661
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Cook County
Chicago is in Cook County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · Regional office
211 Metro Chicago
Help here
- Local help and referralsCall or text 211 to get connected with local help for food, housing, utilities, jobs, and other needs.
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on 211metrochicago.org
Housing authority · County office
Housing Authority of Cook County
10 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60603
Help here
- Affordable housing and rental assistanceFind affordable housing and rental assistance options for eligible households.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on thehacc.org
Public health · County office
Cook County Department of Public Health
7556 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130
Help here
- Public health information and servicesGet information about public health programs, clinics, and health concerns in suburban Cook County.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountypublichealth.org
Courts and legal help · County office
Cook County Law Library
50 W. Washington St., Room 2900, Chicago, IL 60602
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse legal research materials and get help finding legal sources, but library staff cannot give legal advice.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountyil.gov
Child support · County office
Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Child Support Division
28 N. Clark Street, Room 200, Chicago, IL 60602
Help here
- Child support court servicesGet information about child support cases and court services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountycourtil.gov
Older adults · Regional office
AgeOptions
1048 Lake St., Suite 300, Oak Park, IL 60301
Help here
- Aging services information and referralsGet connected to aging services and support for older adults and caregivers in suburban Cook County.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ageoptions.org
Illinois programs by kind of help
These are run by Illinois and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
- TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- 2-1-1 Metro Chicago
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988