Free/Reduced Cost Internet Services for Online Learning
Access from AT&T
Access from AT&T has expanded their eligibility to their program to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start. They are offering internet access at $10/month and waiving home internet data overage fees until 9/30/20 (does not apply to DSL).
For more information, visit: https://m.att.com/shopmobile/internet/access/
Internet Essentials from Comcast
New Internet Essentials customers will receive two months of free internet service if they apply and are approved by December 31st 2020. After the 60 days is up, you will pay $9.95/month. Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. They are waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by 12/31/20. After 12/31/20, standard eligibility rules apply.
**Installation Message from Comcast: "We are following the advice of our government and public health officials. To limit close contact with others as much as possible, for everyone’s safety, we will be dropping off your equipment at your door. This will include everything you need, including the equipment that was ordered and any cords and cables".**
Once you are an Internet Essentials customer, you have the option to purchase a laptop or desktop computer at a discounted price as well!
For more information, visit: https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
Access from AT&T has expanded their eligibility to their program to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start. They are offering internet access at $10/month and waiving home internet data overage fees until 9/30/20 (does not apply to DSL).
For more information, visit: https://m.att.com/shopmobile/internet/access/
Internet Essentials from Comcast
New Internet Essentials customers will receive two months of free internet service if they apply and are approved by December 31st 2020. After the 60 days is up, you will pay $9.95/month. Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. They are waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by 12/31/20. After 12/31/20, standard eligibility rules apply.
**Installation Message from Comcast: "We are following the advice of our government and public health officials. To limit close contact with others as much as possible, for everyone’s safety, we will be dropping off your equipment at your door. This will include everything you need, including the equipment that was ordered and any cords and cables".**
Once you are an Internet Essentials customer, you have the option to purchase a laptop or desktop computer at a discounted price as well!
For more information, visit: https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
CPS Child Learning Hubs
**NEW INFORMATION AS OF 10/1/20**
CPS is offering child learning hubs for families who need immediate assistance with child supervision during remote learning. They are offering child learning hubs from 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. These are sites hosted by either CPS or community-based organizations where a limited number of students are able to attend remote classes while being supervised by an adult in a safe environment.
The Child Learning Hubs are available for K-8 students enrolled in CPS schools, and priority for placement will be given to:
- Families living in high-need communities according to UIC’s Hardship Index
- Students living in temporary housing
- Children of essential workers
For more information: https://www.cps.edu/school-reopening-2020/remote-learning-guide/preparing-for-school/child-learning-hubs/
Access to Health Care
Families with insurance
If you do not have a medical provider and have insurance and believe you need non-emergency medical services, you can contact your insurance carrier to help you locate care.
Families without insurance
If you do not have a medical provider, are uninsured, or have limited or no income and believe you need non-emergency medical services, you can contact your nearest community health center (CHC) by phone and inform them of your need. CHCs receive funding from the federal government that allows them to charge each patient on a sliding scale fee based on the patient’s income and ability to pay.
**No patient will be turned away because of inability to pay**
Find your nearest community health center at: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Mental Health
Emotional reactions to this emerging health crisis are expected. Remind yourself, your family and your friends that feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed or having other symptoms of distress such as trouble sleeping is normal. If symptoms become worse, encourage them, and yourself, to reach out for support and help. The following are free mental health resources available to all Chicago residents:
If you do not have a medical provider and have insurance and believe you need non-emergency medical services, you can contact your insurance carrier to help you locate care.
Families without insurance
If you do not have a medical provider, are uninsured, or have limited or no income and believe you need non-emergency medical services, you can contact your nearest community health center (CHC) by phone and inform them of your need. CHCs receive funding from the federal government that allows them to charge each patient on a sliding scale fee based on the patient’s income and ability to pay.
**No patient will be turned away because of inability to pay**
Find your nearest community health center at: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Mental Health
Emotional reactions to this emerging health crisis are expected. Remind yourself, your family and your friends that feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed or having other symptoms of distress such as trouble sleeping is normal. If symptoms become worse, encourage them, and yourself, to reach out for support and help. The following are free mental health resources available to all Chicago residents:
- Connect to a NAMI Chicago Helpline mental health counselor by calling 311 or directly at 833-626-4244
- Connect to Bright Star Community Outreach's trauma counseling helpline at 833-TURN-123
- Connect to free teletherapy services at Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Centers by calling 312-747-1020.
- For after hours support, contact Crisis Text Line which serves anyone, in any type of crisis, 24-hours a day. Instructions: Text HOME to: 741741 to access a trained crisis counselor.
- Tips on Managing Anxiety about COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog, Arabic)
- Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- Guidance for Parents in Talking to Children about COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog, Arabic)
Food
Greater Chicago Food Depository
The Greater Chicago Food Depository responds to food insecurity in our community every single day. The Food Depository's benefits outreach team is available by phone to help Chicagoans apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid benefits. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase groceries from local stores. Eligibility is determined by household income. Those affected by recent COVID-19 related job losses may qualify. For benefits outreach assistance, contact 773-843-5416 Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m and 5:00 p.m.
To find food near you, go to: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/
Chicago Public School Meals
All Chicago Public Schools are open Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m, to provide meals (breakfast and lunch). Every young person under 18 years old is eligible - no child will be turned away. Families will pick up the food outside the school building, weather permitting, at a table. They will receive 3 days of meals for each young person in the household.
To find the most up-to-date list of meal sites near you, visit cps.edu/mealsites. Families can pick up food from any meal site, regardless of if they have a student at that school.
If families have trouble getting to a site, they call the contact number 1-773-553-KIDS or email at [email protected] to make a request for food delivery.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository responds to food insecurity in our community every single day. The Food Depository's benefits outreach team is available by phone to help Chicagoans apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid benefits. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase groceries from local stores. Eligibility is determined by household income. Those affected by recent COVID-19 related job losses may qualify. For benefits outreach assistance, contact 773-843-5416 Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m and 5:00 p.m.
To find food near you, go to: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/
Chicago Public School Meals
All Chicago Public Schools are open Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m, to provide meals (breakfast and lunch). Every young person under 18 years old is eligible - no child will be turned away. Families will pick up the food outside the school building, weather permitting, at a table. They will receive 3 days of meals for each young person in the household.
To find the most up-to-date list of meal sites near you, visit cps.edu/mealsites. Families can pick up food from any meal site, regardless of if they have a student at that school.
If families have trouble getting to a site, they call the contact number 1-773-553-KIDS or email at [email protected] to make a request for food delivery.
Housing
Rental Assistance Program
The Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance to Chicago residents, to prevent homelessness, to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction in order to stabilize individuals and families in their existing rental unit.
For more information: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/how_to_find_rentalassistanceinchicago.html?fbclid=IwAR2Gpz9YR92TernnWkGc4AsVSBfBAjbq5H-l3JoDAd3GwPmKtcCr6LwTXYU
ShelterList
ShelterList provides a directory of shelters that offer assistance to the homeless.
Here is their website: https://www.shelterlist.com/city/il-chicago
The Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance to Chicago residents, to prevent homelessness, to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction in order to stabilize individuals and families in their existing rental unit.
For more information: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/how_to_find_rentalassistanceinchicago.html?fbclid=IwAR2Gpz9YR92TernnWkGc4AsVSBfBAjbq5H-l3JoDAd3GwPmKtcCr6LwTXYU
ShelterList
ShelterList provides a directory of shelters that offer assistance to the homeless.
Here is their website: https://www.shelterlist.com/city/il-chicago
Utilities
Gas/Electric
The Illinois Commerce Commissions (ICC) issued an emergency order requiring a temporary ban on disconnections for non-payment and suspension of late fees until May 1, 2020, or until the end of the Governor's COVID-19 state of emergency if it goes beyond May 1.
For more information on the ICC order and each company's resources and response see:
Citizens Utility Board
People's Gas
ComEd
The Illinois Commerce Commissions (ICC) issued an emergency order requiring a temporary ban on disconnections for non-payment and suspension of late fees until May 1, 2020, or until the end of the Governor's COVID-19 state of emergency if it goes beyond May 1.
For more information on the ICC order and each company's resources and response see:
Citizens Utility Board
People's Gas
ComEd
**For more information about resources available for families in the Chicagoland area, visit this link.