GENERAL / EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Orland Township's General Assistance Program was created to serve the needs of our financially distressed residents. Our goal is to prevent temporary financial difficulty from becoming a devastating or life-shattering event. We strive to help Orland Township residents get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

   WHAT IS...GENERAL ASSISTANCE / EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

General Assistance / Emergency Assistance is a locally administered welfare program that has helped many residents in Orland Township throughout the years. It is managed under the direction of the Township Supervisor along with the General Assistance caseworkers. We are proud of our history of service and look forward to a future of assisting those in need.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

General Assistance provides financial assistance to people who are not eligible for any other state or federal assistance and do not have sufficient income or resources to provide for their basic needs until employment or other sources of income such as social security, disability or public aid is obtained. Basic needs may include shelter, food, household supplies, utilities, personal essentials, and other expenses deemed necessary to the health and well being of the family or individual. Eligibility is determined by established guidelines based on income, assets and household size. Applicants must have no other potential means of income and have applied for all possible benefits.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Emergency Assistance (EA) is available to qualified individuals or families with children who are facing an emergency situation that is work related to assist in obtaining self-sufficiency or a life threatening situation (i.e. eviction, utility disconnection, and transportation). To be eligible for Emergency Assistance, the total income for the past 15 days and the upcoming 15 days is budgeted. This assistance is available only once in a 12-month period. Again, as in General Assistance eligibility is determined by established guidelines based on income and household size.

Who's eligible...?

Applicants must be residents of the State of Illinois and the Township of Orland, be age 18 or older, and either a United States citizen or an alien who meets the legal requirements. If you voluntarily left your job without due cause or were terminated for misconduct, you must wait thirty days after termination to file an application. Full-time or part-time college students are not eligible. All income and assets are included in determining your eligibility.

How Do You Apply…?

An application may be obtained by coming to the Orland Township Administrative Office located at 15100 South 94th Avenue, Orland Park or by mail. Applications and eligibility verification must be completed before assistance may be considered. All applicants must meet certain financial and non-financial eligibility guidelines, and must supply Social Security cards, lease or mortgage statements, pay stubs (past 30 days), bank statements, and proof of registry with Public Aid and the Illinois Job Service. Once the application is completed an interview is scheduled with a case manager who will review his/her case and decide what other documents must be provided to consider eligibility status.

The information concerning your request for assistance, including the application, budget sheet, decision, and other information in your case is strictly confidential. You, the caseworker, and certain government personnel may review your records, but the general public may not review your records unless you have given your permission.

Referral Services

Orland Township caseworkers have established a strong networking relationship with many other agencies. Therefore, caseworkers will work extensively with all individuals to see that they are given every resource above and beyond our assistance program to assist them in their individual situations.

Please call for an Orland Township General Assistance Office at 708/403-4222 or 708/403-4001 to speak with as caseworker if you have any questions or for additional information.