Resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Illinois

Where to Find Help in Illinois

When you're suddenly raising a grandchild or relative's child, the hardest part isn't always the money — it's knowing who to call. Illinois has a web of agencies, nonprofits, and community programs that serve kinship families, but they're scattered across different departments with different phone numbers and eligibility rules.

This is a practical directory of the organizations that actually help, organized by what they do.

State Agencies

DCFS Extended Family Support Program (EFSP) The single most useful first call for relative caregivers not in the foster care system. EFSP caseworkers help with school enrollment, TANF child-only applications, emergency cash for beds and clothing, and referrals to legal aid for guardianship. Call the DCFS Special Services Line at 1-800-252-2873 and ask for the Extended Family Support Program.

EFSP is not an ongoing cash benefit — it's a short-term crisis service. But the caseworkers know the system and can cut through weeks of confusion in a single call.

IDHS Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) Your local FCRC handles applications for TANF child-only grants, SNAP, CCAP, and All Kids. Find your nearest office at dhs.state.il.us or call the IDHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154. Walk-ins are accepted, but bringing all your documentation the first time saves repeat trips.

HFS (Healthcare and Family Services) Manages All Kids medical coverage and child support enforcement. The All Kids hotline is 1-866-ALL-KIDS (1-866-255-5437) for enrollment questions or to check application status.

Older Caregiver Programs

Illinois Department on Aging — Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program Funded through the Older Americans Act Title III-E, this program serves relative caregivers aged 55 and older through local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Services include:

• Caregiver support groups (in-person and virtual)
• Respite care assistance (temporary relief so you can rest, attend appointments, or handle errands)
• Limited financial help for school supplies, emergency home repairs, or other gap needs
• Information and referral to benefit programs

Find your local AAA: Call the Illinois Aging Helpline at 1-800-252-8966 or visit ilaging.illinois.gov. Illinois has 13 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 102 counties. Each one runs slightly different programs depending on local funding, so what's available in Cook County may differ from what's offered in southern Illinois.

AARP GrandFacts AARP publishes state-specific fact sheets for grandparents raising grandchildren — the Illinois GrandFacts sheet summarizes key benefit programs, legal resources, and support contacts in a two-page format. It's free at aarp.org/grandfacts. Not a service provider, but a good overview to hand to a family member who's just starting to figure things out.

Legal Aid

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) Free legal information, self-help court forms (including the short-term guardianship form under 755 ILCS 5/11-5.4), and automated document generators. ILAO also publishes plain-language articles on guardianship, custody, and benefit rights. Visit illinoislegalaid.org for its online resources.

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid (65 central and southern Illinois counties), Prairie State Legal Services (36 northern and central Illinois counties outside Cook County), and Legal Aid Chicago (Cook County) provide free legal representation for income-qualifying kinship caregivers in guardianship and benefit matters.

Community and Peer Support

Generations United A national organization that advocates for grandfamilies and kinship caregivers. Their website at gu.org has a resource hub with state-specific information, policy updates, and toolkits for navigating benefits.

Local Grandparent Support Groups Many AAAs, churches, and community centers run monthly support groups specifically for grandparents raising grandchildren. These aren't therapy — they're practical peer networks where caregivers share what worked at the FCRC, which caseworker was helpful, how to handle school enrollment pushback, and how to manage the emotional weight.

Your local AAA can connect you with a group nearby. If there isn't one in your area, several Illinois groups meet virtually.

211 Illinois Dial 2-1-1 from any phone for a general human services referral. The 211 operators can direct you to food banks, clothing closets, emergency shelter, utility assistance, and other local resources based on your zip code. It's a useful starting point when you're not sure which specific program you need.

Putting It Together

Each of these organizations handles one piece of the puzzle. The challenge for kinship caregivers is coordinating across all of them — applying for TANF child-only at the FCRC, securing All Kids through HFS, getting emergency help through EFSP, finding a support group through the AAA, and getting legal forms from ILAO.

The Illinois kinship financial help guide connects these pieces into a single roadmap, with application checklists for each program, a document tracker so you're not scrambling for the same birth certificate at every office, and a caseworker interaction log to keep a record of every call and visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a single place I can apply for everything at once?

The closest thing is the ABE portal (abe.illinois.gov), which handles applications for TANF, SNAP, All Kids, and CCAP. But WIC, LIHEAP, EFSP, and legal aid each have separate intake processes. Starting with ABE and EFSP covers the most ground in the fewest steps.

Do I need to be 55 or older to get help from the Area Agency on Aging?

For the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program under Title III-E, yes — the caregiver must be 55 or older. But other AAA services (information and referral, general caregiver support) may be available regardless of age. Call your local AAA and explain your situation.

Are there programs specifically for aunts, uncles, or older siblings raising a child?

Yes. Every program listed here serves relative caregivers broadly — not just grandparents. TANF child-only is available to any relative within the 5th degree of kinship. EFSP serves any relative caring for a child outside foster care. The AAA age-55+ programs are the exception, but most other resources don't limit by the specific family relationship.

See more Illinois guides →