Financial Assistance

The Township offers GENERAL ASSISTANCE and EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. The General Assistance program is needs-based, while the Emergency Assistance program has a flat grant amount available. If you are currently receiving General Assistance (from another township) or Categorical Assistance (TANF, SSI, REFUGEE AND REPATRIATION ASSISTANCE),you are not eligible to receive General Assistance / Emergency Assistance.

Income, assets, residency, and cooperation with the program determine eligibility.

NOTE: Townships are considered a payor of last resort. This means that a person cannot be found eligible for Township benefits until they have applied for all other forms of government aid. A township may provide assistance to an individual who is awaiting a decision regarding an application for assistance submitted to another agency, so long as the applicant continues to cooperate with that agency in their application process.

General Assistance is a locally administered welfare program which provides monthly financial assistance to persons who are not eligible for any other state or federal assistance programs and who do not have adequate income or resources to provide for their own basic needs. This program is needs-based, meaning certain expenses are paid by the Township on the resident's behalf, however residents do not receive monthly income from the Township.

All Townships in Illinois are legally obligated to offer a General Assistance program, however, the manner in which these programs are managed and administered vary by township.

Eligible Township Residents must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Have no children under 18 unless the applicant is the non-custodial parent.
• Be unemployed or significantly underemployed, AND actively seeking employment -OR- be in the process of applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security -Disability insurance (SSDI).
• Meet income and asset guidelines.
• Must be ineligible for all other government-sponsored assistance programs.
• Must adhere to General Assistance Guidelines.
• Must have an acceptable legal/migratory status under program guidelines.

Emergency assistance provides financial aid to alleviate a life-threatening circumstance.

Beginning April 1, 2006, the lifetime maximum for the receipt of Emergency Assistance is five (5) times. Eligibility is limited to one (1) time in a 12-month period. You must be ineligible for General Assistance in order to be considered for Emergency Assistance. However, if you are currently receiving General Assistance (from another township) or Categorical Assistance (TANF, SSI, REFUGEE, AND REPATRIATION ASSISTANCE) you are not eligible to receive General Assistance/Emergency Assistance.

Income, assets, residency, and cooperation with program and need can affect the amount paid.

If eligible for emergency assistance, the Township has a flat grant amount available based, on the family unit size.

Rent: MUST BE at least 5 days past due, have a 5-day notice, or a lease that is ending requiring the tenant to vacate the apartment, and client’s portion of the remaining balance must be paid first before township can pay its portion. The landlord must be willing to accept our payment. The Township will not cover any late fees or other penalties imposed by the landlord.

Mortgage: MUST have missed a mortgage payment. The Township will not assist with taxes, insurance or other fees--even when included in the mortgage payment.

Utilities: MUST HAVE a disconnect notice for service only, not because of non-payment of deposit. No phone. No late fees. The Township will not pay for utilities fees incurred out of the Township the applicant currently lives in.

Grants issued through this program are sent directly to vendors (landlords, mortgage companies, utility companies) to alleviate the life-threatening circumstance of the applicant.

Utility assistance under the Emergency Assistance program is limited to water, gas and electric bills. Please review these resources to learn more about reducing these and other bills. Water Saving Tips, Ways to Save on Gas and Electric, Low Income Solar Options, Reducing Your Cell Phone Bill, Reducing Your Cable/TV Expenses, Renter's Guide to Reducing Utility Bills.

The following townships DO NOT administer an emergency assistance program:

• Kingston
• South Grove

YES! In addition to General Assistance and Emergency Assistance, several townships  offer Senior Utility Assistance, a program for residents aged 65+ who are behind on their utility bill(s) AND who are ineligible for Emergency Assistance due to a household income that exceeds program guidelines. The Senior Utility Assistance program offers a higher income eligibility threshold than the Emergency Assistance program. This allows more seniors to qualify for the help they need. The type of aid received under this program is income-dependant. Assistance can range from information about energy saving resources, help applying for LIHEAP and other state benefits, or financial assistance paid directly to the utility provider. As of 10/14/2025, the following DeKalb County townships offer this program: DeKalb, Afton, Cortland, Franklin, Malta, Sandwich, Shabbona, Somonauk, South Grove, Sycamore, Victor.

YES! DeKalb Township offers a Homeless Transition program. This program allows qualifying individuals to receive assistance with paying for their security deposit when transitioning out of a shelter or out of homelessness. As of 10/14/2025, DeKalb Township is the only township in the county to offer this program.

General Assistance and Emergency Assistance applications are available online to fill out and print. If you do not have internet access or a printer, please call our office (815-758-8282) and request that an application be mailed to you.

To inquire about eligibility for the Senior Utility Assistance Program or the Homeless Transition Housing Program, please contact us at (815) 758-8282.

An application for General Assistance shall be approved or denied in a timely manner, not to exceed 30-45 calendar days from the date of application.