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Date: 10/11/2025

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  2. Health & Benefits
  3. General Assistance
  4. Applying for General Assistance

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Health & Benefits

Worried about doing this on your own?  You may be able to get free legal help.

Apply Online

The Big Picture

General Assistance (GA) is a program of “last resort.” This means that you can get GA only if you can’t get any other form of public benefits. GA programs must help people meet their basic living…

More on General Assistance basics
Applying for General Assistance How-To
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Gather your information

The township may ask you to show proof of:

  • Recent receipts,
  • Utility bills,
  • Medical bills,
  • Pay stubs, 
  • Proof of your income, assets Anything a person owns that has financial value , and needs, and
  • Social Security number A number that the federal government gives to each U.S. citizen. It keeps track of their earnings and retirement benefits. .
File a written application with your local township office

You must file a written application for General Assistance (GA) with your local township office. You can find a list of townships on the Township Officials of Illinois website. Your township must give you an application form when you ask to apply for GA. The township must process your application. The township can’t deny To refuse or say no your application just because it claims to lack the money. The township can't require you to prove eligibility before letting you apply.

The township may ask you to show:

  • Rent receipts,
  • Utility bills,
  • Medical bills,
  • Pay stubs, 
  • Proof of your income, assets Anything a person owns that has financial value , and needs, and
  • Social Security number A number that the federal government gives to each U.S. citizen. It keeps track of their earnings and retirement benefits. .

If you are a veteran living in a county with a Veteran’s Assistance Commission, you should contact the Veteran Services Officer (VSO).

Get a written decision about your application

The township must give you notice in writing that either approves or denies your application. They must give you this notice within 30 to 45 days of the date you filed your application. The township must also give you a written notice every time it wants to change or stop your payments. If you disagree with the decision, you can file an appeal.

The township must give you GA on an ongoing basis each month for as long as you qualify.

Last full review by a subject matter expert
September 24, 2024
Last revised by staff
September 26, 2024

About our legal information

Learn more

General Assistance common questions

Worried about doing this on your own?  You may be able to get free legal help.

Apply Online

The Big Picture

General Assistance (GA) is a program of “last resort.” This means that you can get GA only if you can’t get any other form of public benefits. GA programs must help people meet their basic living…

More on General Assistance basics

Learn more

General Assistance common questions
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© 2025 Illinois Legal Aid Online. 
All rights reserved.
 
ILAO is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ILAO's tax identification number is 20-2917133.