Capital Township
Springfield, Illinois
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Rental  Assistance:
Rental Assistance is available to eligible recipients to help defray the expense of the first month's rent when securing a place in which to live.  Assistance may also be issued to families and individuals threatened with eviction due to delinquent rent payments.  Those applying for rental assistance must comply with the current federal poverty guidelines (if over guidelines they must wait 15 days before they can reapply), produce verifiable proof of current ongoing and past income for the entire household for the past sixty (60) days, possess a photo ID and Social Security cards for each household member, a legal eviction notice from the current landlord (tenant must have paid at least one month’s prior rent) or if homeless, a written referral from a homeless shelter verifying current or recent residency within the past two (2) weeks.  All rental payments are made directly to the owner of the property and cannot exceed the actual amount of the clients current monthly rent portion after housing assistance.  No rental payments shall be made to landlords who have received emergency assistance from this office. After a three year period has past with no assistance, the landlord may again be eligible for rental payments. An applicant for assistance must be residing in a separate dwelling apart from the landlord and provide a lease for the address on the eviction notice.
Maximum Grant:

$400.00   Family with children
$300.00   Single or married couple
Assistance Limitations: Once every two (2) years

The following documents are considered acceptable for verification of rental assistance:

A.  In lieu of a Social Security Card:   

  1. Check stubs with full Social Security number listed.
  2. W-2 form
  3. Award letter from Social Security or Veteran's Administration showing SS number
  4. Print-out from Department of Human Services showing Social Security number.
  5. Print out from Social Security office showing name and Social Security number,.
  6. For minor children: Printout from Social Security or proof from DHS

B.  In lieu of a legal eviction notice:

  1. A written letter of eviction must specify a threat of eviction with a specific date to vacate  the  premises. It should also  include the tenant's name(s), amount due, address, and date issued.

  2. Homeless shelter referrals must indicate that the applicant has resided at  the  shelter at least seven (7)  days out of the  past two weeks.

  3. Letters   from   all   potential   shelters  that   indicate  there  is  no vacancy will be accepted documentation of homelessness.

  4. Those homeless clients whose late work hours prohibit occupancy at  the  shelter  may waive  the  homeless   shelter  referral  with written proof from the employer of the work hours.

  5. Clients with  proof  of  recent  release from a  treatment center or    incarceration (60 days or less) may waive homeless referrals.

C.  Proof of income:

  1. Pay check stubs ( At least 7 days within last 2 weeks of applying if employed by a temporary employment agency)

  2. Unemployment compensation

  3. TANF verification (grant amount and/or earned income)

  4. Social Security award letter or printout

  5. Veteran's compensation award letter

  6. Child support or alimony

  7. Employer generated letter or printout

  8. Worker's compensation

  9. Retirement pension benefits (Medical deduction may be waived if proof of client being on a fixed income.)If recent employment has been secured,  the first pay check must be produced. If currently residing in a homeless shelter, a verified income statement  from the  employer  will  be accepted. If  income can be calculated from  the year to  date  gross  salary for the correct sixty (60) day period, then it is considered proof of income even if some pay stubs are missing.

  10. Self  employed  clients  must  present  a  copy  of  their quarterly estimated tax payments made to the IRS and a current ledger.

  11. Client must provide proof of income that is equal to or greater than the monthly rent amount.

D.  Miscellaneous:

  1. Children under the age of twenty-one (21), living with parents or legal   guardians   would   not  be   considered  adults  for  rental  assistance.

  2. Applicants under the age of eighteen (18) who live independently must produce a court filed emancipation document.

  3. Assistance  will be denied to an  applicant  if they have  received rental  assistance  from  another  agency  within  the last  six  (6)  months.

  4. If  an  applicant is  homeless due to a natural  disaster such as a fire or spousal abuse, the two (2) year assistance limitation may be waived.

  5. For college students to be included in household, the most recent tax return showing them as a dependent can be used in lieu of photo ID.

  6. Health insurance payments deducted from applicant’s pensions or Social Security benefits may be deducted from gross income.

  7. If an applicant has failed to show for the first scheduled appointment and also the second rescheduled appointment, they may not receive another appointment for six (6) months.

  8. Any intentional falsification of any kind whether written or oral, will result in a sanction of one (1) year of ineligibility for assistance.
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Utility  Assistance:

Assistance is available for help to avoid a pending disconnection or to restore utilities that have been disconnected due to delinquent utility payments (no assistance will be given for reconnection if services have been disconnected for 3 months or longer).  Potential recipients must comply with the current Federal poverty guidelines (if over guidelines they must wait 15 days before reapplying), provide proof of current ongoing and past income for the entire household for the past thirty (30) days, possess a photo ID and Social Security cards (or acceptable alternative verifications) for each household member, a rent receipt or lease and a disconnect notice from the utility company.  Delinquent utility bills from a previous address will not be considered for payment in order to have utility services connected at a new address.  Landlords who have been paid rent assistance from this office, may not apply for utility assistance for thier own personal bills, unless three years has past since the last payment. All payments are made directly to the utility company.
Maximum Monthly Grant:

$300.00 Pending disconnection notice
$300.00 Disconnected (Single/Couples)
$400.00 Disconnected (Families) 

Assistance Limitations:  Once every two (2) years
The following documents are considered acceptable for verification of Utility  Assistance:

A.  In lieu of a Social Security Card:     

  1. Check stubs with SS number listed
  2. W-2 form
  3. Award letter from Social Security or Veteran's Administration with SS # listed
  4. Print-out from Department of Human Services showing SS #
  5. Print out from Social Security office showing name and Social Security number,.
  6. For minor children: Printout from Social Security or proof from DHS

B.  Proof of income:

  1. Pay check stubs ( At least 7 days within last 2 weeks of applying if employed by a temporary employment agency)

  2. Unemployment compensation

  3. TANF verification (grant amount and/or earned income)

  4. Social Security award letter or printout

  5. Veteran's compensation award letter

  6. Child support or alimony

  7. Employer generated letter or printout

  8. Worker's compensation

  9.  Retirement pension benefits

  10. If recent employment has been secured, the first pay check must be produced.

  11. If  income can be calculated from the year to  date  gross   salary for the correct thirty (30) day period, then it is considered proof of income even if some pay stubs are missing.

  12. Self  employed  clients  must  present  a copy  of  their  quarterly estimated tax payments made to the IRS and a current ledger.

C.  In lieu of rent receipt or lease:

  1. A current real estate tax bill with client's name and address.

  2. A current assessment notice with client's name and address.

  3. A canceled rent check with client's name and address.

D.  In lieu of a disconnect notice:

  1. A printout from the utility company.

  2. A utility bill that shows a past due amount.

E.  Miscellaneous:

  1. Applicants under the age of eighteen (18) who live  independently must produce a court filed emancipation document.

  2. If there is a life threatening  situation  that is verified by  medical           documentation  from  a  physician,  whereby  services  need  to be restored or to prevent a disconnection; the two (2) year assistance limitation may be waived for one time only per family.

  3. If an applicant has failed to show for the first scheduled appointment and also the second rescheduled appointment, they may not receive another appointment for six (6) months.

  4. Any intentional falsification of any kind whether written or oral, will result in a sanction of one (1) year of ineligibility for assistance.

  5. For college students to be included in household, the most recent tax return showing them as a dependent can be used in lieu of photo ID.

  6. Health insurance payments deducted from applicant’s pensions or Social Security benefits may be deducted from gross income.
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Physician  Services:
Assistance is available for emergency medical care for office visits to a doctor. The applicant, in compliance with the Federal poverty guideline(if over guidelines they must wait 15 days before reapplying), must secure their own appointment with a physician and provide proof of Capital Township residency with a piece of current mail, a current rent receipt or a valid lease. Client must provide proof of income for the past thirty (30) days, or complete a ‘No Income Form’. If found eligible, the recipient would receive a one day only emergency medical card written to a specific physician. Any intentional falsification whether written or oral, will result in a one (1) year sanction of ineligibility for assistance.
Assistance Maximum: As priced by DPA with a maximum of $60.00
Assistance Limitation: One visit per six month period
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Prescription  Assistance:

Emergency prescription assistance is available to qualified individuals in need who have been referred to this office. Client must provide proof of income for the past thirty (30) days, or complete a ‘No Income Form’. Eligible recipients who have a written prescription from their physician, would be issued a voucher for that certain prescription.  The recipient must have the prescription filled at the pharmacy designated by this office.  Any intentional falsification whether written or oral, will result in a one (1) year sanction of ineligibility for assistance. Client has 90 days to use up the $150.00 in Prescription assistance, caseworker will explain the process to them at interview.
Voucher  Maximum: $150.00
Assistance  Limitation: Once every six (6) months from last grant
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Food  Assistance:
Emergency assistance for perishable food orders is available to individuals and families who are not receiving Food Stamps (Link). This service has been established to help provide perishable food orders during the interim between food stamp application and the actual reception of those food stamps. Clients must supply written verification from DHS of application for food stamps. They must also provide a current piece of mail (dated no later than 30 days prior to application), 30 days of income, or complete a ‘No Income Form’ if they currently have no income. Perishable food items would include milk, orange juice, eggs, bread, hot dogs, ground beef, margarine, sliced cheese, lunchmeat, fruits and vegetables.  Eligible recipients would be issued a voucher for certain items payable to a Shop 'N' Save supermarket located in Springfield.  The number of vouchers issued at any one time would depend on family size (a family of five (5) or more receive two vouchers). Any intentional falsification whether written or oral, will result in a one (1) year sanction of ineligibility for assistance.
Voucher  Maximum:

$25.00 (Singles)
$41.00 (Family)
Assistance  Limitation: Once every four (4) months
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Dental  Assistance:
Limited Emergency Dental care is available to individuals who are deemed eligible.  Client must provide proof of income for the past thirty (30) days, or complete a ‘No Income Form’. Eligible recipients would be responsible for securing their own appointment.  A one day only medical card would be issued to the designated dentist.  Any intentional falsification whether written or oral, will result in a one (1) year sanction of ineligibility for assistance. An appointment with a dentist is needed before coming to Capital Township.
Maximum  Allowed: $150.00
Assistance  Limitation: Once per year
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Eyewear  Assistance:
Assistance is available for those individuals with a verifiable need for eyeglasses as determined by Catholic Charities.  Those referred will be issued a voucher to Catholic Charities for an eye exam.  Client must provide proof of income for the past thirty (30) days, or complete a ‘No Income Form’.  If eyeglasses are needed, another voucher will be issued to Catholic Charities to purchase the eyeglasses. Any intentional falsification whether written or oral, will result in a one (1) year sanction of ineligibility for assistance. Eye Glasses can also be obtained thru an appointment with America's Best Eyecare maximum covered is also $70.00. An appointment is needed with the eye care provider before coming to Capital Township.
Eyeglasses  Voucher  Maximum:

$70.00
Assistance  Limitation: Once every two (2) years
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Seasonal Emergency Services
Limited funds shall be appropriated (if available) for certain necessities during extreme winter and summer conditions.  Vouchers for blankets, hats, coats and gloves may be issued to those deemed as qualified in extreme cold conditions.  Vouchers for fans may also be provided during extremely hot conditions. Shoes and school supplies may be issued to those children in need.  Referrals must be made by the appropriate agencies in order to qualify.  Major appliances such as an air conditioner or a refrigerator may be supplied with appropriate medical and agency referral.  A designated store would be used to provide these items at minimum cost.  Any intentional falsification whether written or oral, will result in a one (1) year sanction of ineligibility for assistance.
Maximum  Allowed:

$20.00(Singles)                                                                                $35.00(Families)  
$300.00(Major appliance)
Assistance Limitation:   

Once every two years
Once every five years for major appliances

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