|
General Assistance
General Assistance is a locally administered welfare program providing financial assistance to persons who are not eligible for any other state or federal assistance and do not have income or resources to provide for their
basic needs. Basic needs may include shelter, food, household supplies, utilities, personal essentials, medical and other expenses deemed essential to the health and well-being of the family or individual. Persons may apply at our township office. Those potentially eligible for
services at other agencies may be referred to a more appropriate agency suited to meet their needs. Agency referrals may include the following: The Social Security Administration, Illinois Department of Public Aid, Family Service and Mental Health Clinics, and many others.
By state statute, township government is responsible for the administration of public aid programs such as General Assistance. For more information call 596-6040, Ext. 3133.
In addition, General Assistance provides a range of other activities including:
● Access to Care
A program targeting low-income, uninsured residents in obtaining primary health care, including: pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology services. The program provides diagnosis and treatment for a small nominal fee per visit. A trained medical caseworker will conduct an eligibility screening and enrollment
can then occur through our offices here at the township. 708-596-6040 Ext: 3147, 3132 or 3137.
● Christmas Food Drive
Local schools, businesses, and private citizens join together to help those less fortunate during the holiday season. Donations of non-perishable food items, as well as monetary gifts, are solicited by the Community Relations Department, registration and distribution is handled by the General Assistance
Department. For other information on how to arrange for a township representative to speak at your next engagement, or to obtain general information on township services, please call 708-596-6040, Ext. 3132.
● General Assistance Social Worker
A Social Worker assists applicants in their efforts to apply for Social Security Benefits and for Public Aid including those with literacy and other problems. In addition, the Social Worker helps place homeless and abused individuals in safe and secure shelters, referring clients with substance abuse
and mental illness to the proper agencies, and help applicants and recipients fill out complicated forms and applications. Finally, our social worker works with the Salvation Army in helping individuals, who do not fit into the other assistance programs, obtain a one-time emergency subsidy in comparison to general
assistance which is an on-going program.
● Thornton Township Food Assistance Program.
The mission statement of this program seeks to serve the needs of the community, and to answer the needs of the community for food assistance. We recognize and understand that persons of fixed incomes or underemployed deserve good quality nutritional food, and to be treated with dignity and respect,
regardless of race, sex, ethnic background, religion, or socio-economic standing. The Food Assistance Center is located at 15340 Page Avenue, Harvey, Illinois. The Senior Food Delivery Program is administered at this location. 708-596-6040 Ext. 3181
Food Assistance Center Hours Of Operation
Monday and Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
● “Workfare”
A program in which general assistance recipients earn their benefits by performing work for taxing districts. Recipients are not paid but receive credit for hours worked based on the federal minimum wage level. Credit is then offset against the amount of their basic maintenance grants (the amount of assistance given not counting medical payments or the value of food stamps). Recipients can be required to work the number of hours necessary each month to offset these grants.
Persons interested in additional information may contact a General Assistance Representative at 708-596-6040, Ext. 3184. |
