Finances and Credit
Help With Housing:
ILLINOIS RENTAL PAYMENT PROGRAM REOPENED DECEMBER 6, 2021 Closes Sunday, January 9,2022.
2021 Homeowner Assistance Fund - Illinois Housing Development Authority - program for mortgage assistance. Program is awaiting approval from the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury.
Covid-19 Resources for Homeowners - from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. How to request mortgage relief (forbearance). Updated 6/18/21
Open Communities - Open Communities holds free informational events about fair housing for landlords and residents and offers counseling for individuals facing eviction or housing discrimination. Visit the website or call 847-501-5760 to learn more. Scroll down on the Open Communities homepage to access the September 2021 calendar.
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic - Legal help for persons earning less than $65,000 for a family of four and free for survivors of domestic violence. Focus on Housing, Domestic Violence, and Immigration. 847-737-4042.
New Mortgage Servicing Rule - effective 8/31/2021
Mortgage Forbearance - The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has put together information about how to get help with your mortgage.
Consumer Utilities Board (CUB) Information on consumer protections for utility bills
Journeys The Road Home: 847-963-9163 Provide shelter, services & housing to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in suburban Cook County. Located in Palatine.
Managing Your Finances During Covid-19 - Karen Chan gives excellent guidance in this recording of a recent library program.
Local Food Pantries:
Wheeling Township: 847-259-7730
Elk Grove Township: 847-437-0300
Northwest Compass: 847-392-2344
Palatine Township: 847-358-6700
Salvation Army: 847-981-9111
Catholic Charities: 847-376-2100
Harvest Bible Chapel: 847-398-7005
St. Edna’s: 847-398-3362
Willow Creek Care Center: 224-512-2600
School Food Distribution
District 25 Summer meal distribution has ended. Click for food service information for the 2021-2022 school year.
District 59 Family Support Resources page including food distribution information.
District 21 Visit the webpage for your school to learn about food distribution. Also visit Parent/Family Resources or Recursos Para Padres/Familia for additional information. Summer meal distribution ends August 6, 2021.
Local
Village of Arlington Heights COVID 19 & Municipal Services Updates
Wheeling Township Description of services or call 847-259-7730 for assistance.
Open Communities Fair housing support in the Chicago area through free programs, counseling individuals threatened with evictions, and other housing related issues. Visit the website or call them at 847-501-5760 to learn more.
State
TANF Temporary Assistance For Needy Families 1-800-843-6154; (866) 324-5553; TTY/Nextalk or 711 TTY Relay 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday - Friday (except state holidays)
Unemployment Benefits 800-244-5631; TTY: 866-488-4016
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP 1-800-843-6154; Nextalk 1-800-324-5553; 711 TTY Relay
Federal
Text of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Mortgage and Housing Assistance During the Coronavirus National Emergency
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Protecting Your Finances During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Fannie Mae - Know Your Options - for Homeowners and Renters
Extending Help to Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19
Social Security Administration COVID-19 Response 1-800-722-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778 Limited local service phone: 866-931-8350
Text of the CARES Act, or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Signed into law on March 27, 2020
Library Financial Databases
The library subscribes to several databases that can provide you with a lot of financial information. All of the databases below have an education component that can be used to teach yourself, teens, and young adults about equity markets, investing, or financial literacy.
To access these databases, go to ahml.info/research/databases and choose the first letter of the database name and click on the name of the database on the list.
Morningstar https://www.ahml.info/research/databases?title=M
- check current stock prices, company financials, and look up mutual fund and ETF information.
- Markets page for market analysis, earnings reports, and news.
- Articles & Videos – up to date articles on the financial situation and outlook
- Help & Education – Investment Classroom to learn more about stocks, bonds, funds, and portfolios, as well as a glossary of investment terms.
Value Line https://www.ahml.info/research/databases?title=V
- Daily Updates
- Current stock prices and company financials
- Commentaries and analysis
- Investment education
Weiss Ratings https://www.ahml.info/research/databases?title=W
- Special Training Video: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing
- Stock, mutual fund, and exchange traded fund information
- Consumer guides ebooks
- Financial Literacy Basics ebooks
- Articles
- Medigap information
- Strength ratings for banks, credit unions, and insurance companies
Financial Protection
Protecting Your Finances During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Financial resources and articles for consumers from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Topics include but are not limited to mortgage relief, information for servicemembers and veterans, avoiding scams, and the latest on student loans.
If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home in a number of ways:
- Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov
- Report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov
- If it’s a cyber scam, submit your complaint through https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Beware Fraudulent Coronavirus Tests, Vaccines and Treatments (FDA)
If you have a question about a treatment or test for COVID-19, contact your health provider or pharmacist. The FDA’s Division of Drug Information (DDI) will answer almost any drug question. DDI pharmacists are available by email, druginfo@fda.hhs.gov, and by phone, 1-855-543-DRUG (3784) and 301-796-3400.
Coronavirus Scams Tips from the Federal Trade Commission
877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338); 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).