General Assistance

General Assistance Services:

The GA Office provides financial support, information, referrals, and guidance to Township residents facing hardship. We dedicate time to consulting, advising, counseling, and assisting some of the most at-risk, distressed, vulnerable residents in the community.  Our goal is to help residents achieve self-sufficiency. Please contact us at (847) 358-6110 if you or someone you know is in need of assistance.

General Assistance:

General Assistance, or GA, is a public assistance program for adults that are ineligible for other state or federal programs who meet the eligibility guidelines.  GA can help those who are currently unemployed looking for work or those who have applied for disability and are awaiting their case decision. Those who qualify may receive a monthly allotment for essential needs. There are both financial as well as non-financial qualifying factors.

Emergency Assistance:

Emergency Assistance, or EA, is for households experiencing a life-threatening circumstance, which consists of having a 5 day-notice for eviction or a disconnection notice for utility, and have an emergency that qualifies. Individuals and families may qualify based upon township guidelines, which include financial and non-financial factors.

CEDA Programs:

LIHEAP DVP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Direct Vendor Payment):

LIHEAP is a state and federally funded program that provides a once yearly grant towards directly to the household’s utility bills (Nicor and/or ComEd). The direct vendor payment (DVP) amount is based on household size, income, and fuel type.

Reconnection Assistance: (RA)

Those who qualify for LIHEAP DVP may also be eligible to receive Reconnection Assistance (RA). RA is used to prevent disconnection or restore services for Nicor and/or ComEd.  There must be an active disconnection notice for one or more utilities or have a utility that is currently disconnected to be eligible.

PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) Recertification:

The PIPP program is a form of energy assistance through LIHEAP where clients are enrolled in a 12-month budget bill plan for a monthly benefit. Clients are responsible for paying the monthly budget bill amount each month to stay enrolled. Only currently enrolled PIPP clients are eligible to recertify. New PIPP enrollments are not being accepted at this time.

Furnace Assistance:

Available to approved households that are or have received a LIHEAP benefit and whose heating systems are not operational or have been red-tagged by their utility company.  Renters are not eligible.

Weatherization: 

This program assists households in becoming more energy efficient to help reduce heating and cooling costs and to address health and safety issues for income-eligible residents.

Salvation Army: 

Service Extension Volunteers for emergency rent and utility assistance for residents of Palatine and Inverness.

Nicor Sharing:

May be available to households who are over income for LIHEAP and have a Nicor Gas account.  Eligible households can apply for this grant annually.


Mobile Dental Clinic

Through Northwest Community Hospital, the Mobile Dental Clinic provides necessary dental care to community residents in our service area who do not have access to dental care due to financial barriers. The Mobile Dental Clinic operates in partnership with Palatine and other surrounding townships to provide preventative and restorative oral health services as well as a permanent dental home for those would wouldn’t otherwise have access to affordable dental care.


Other Resources:

Job Board

IDES Referral and Information

Benefit Access applications and renewals for seniors and disabled individuals Ride Free Transit Benefit and Secretary of State License Plate Discount

Resource Boards for housing, food, health, and variety of other resources