***The Springfield Urban League is no longer accepting applications for Emergency Assistance at this time. If you’ve submitted a completed application and would like to know the status of your application, please contact us at 217-789-0830 Ext. 1136.

Program Details Below

Having Trouble Paying Your Rent or Utilities?

We’re Here to Help.

The Springfield Urban League’s - Emergency Food & Shelter Program works to help renters get the assistance they need to avoid utility shutoff or eviction. The Emergency Food & Shelter Program is administered by the United Way of Central Illinois.

Are You Eligible?

You may qualify if you can answer yes to the following questions.

  • Are you a renter household?
  • Does your household income meet the program's limits?
  • Has someone in your household (1) qualified for unemployment or (2) had a decrease in income or increase in expenses due to Covid-19?
  • Is someone in your household at risk for housing instability or homelessness?

How Much Assistance is Available?

Every household's situation is different, so the amount of assistance you may receive will be specific to your needs.

What Costs are Eligible?

Eligible costs include: rent, manufactured home lot rent, rental of a manufactured home, utilities including electric, gas, power, heat, water, sewer, bulk fuel, eviction costs, fees charged by your landlord, hotel costs if the hotel is your residence, and other costs related to keeping you in your home.

Costs that are not eligible include: landlord-paid utilities, landlord-paid property taxes, property insurance, phone, internet, renter insurance.

How Can the Emergency Food & Shelter Program help me?

Depending on your circumstances, Springfield Urban League’s - Emergency Food & Shelter Program

  • Bring your delinquent rent or utility bill(s) current.
  • Pay up to 3 months of future rent at a time, until funds run out.

How Do I Apply?

After you answer the prescreening questions, you must complete an application for assistance and provide documentation.

Please have all your information and documents ready to ensure faster processing of your application. An application will not begin the review process until all information has been received.

If you are requesting rental assistance, make sure the amount you request will be accepted by your landlord. If they challenge the amount, it can delay your application's processing.

What Happens Next?

If you qualify for rent assistance, we will request approval from your landlord/property manager. If your landlord/property manager approves, we will send payments directly to them to bring your rent current and pay up to 3 months of forward rent. If the landlord will not accept the funds through the program, you will not be eligible to receive assistance directly to pay your rent.

If you qualify for utility assistance, we will work with your utility company(ies). If your utility company(ies) approve, we will send payments directly to them to bring your utilities current.