"Community Care Assistance Program"

What is "Community Care Assistance"?
It is a program which assists individuals and families with emergency needs.

What type of needs?
Primarily housing and utility assistance that cannot be obtained through existing programs or resources; however additional assistance will be considered - - such as an emergency that may cause an individual or family to become homeless, hungry, unable to work, children to be endangered, etc.

Who is eligible to receive "Community Care" assistance?
Individuals or families who are faced with an emergency need they cannot resolve on their own due to lack of financial resources, and who also reside in Eastern LaSalle County (including the communities of Dayton, Grand Ridge, Harding, Leland, Marseilles, Naplate, Norway, Ottawa, Seneca, Serena, Sheridan, and Wedron.

Request for Assistance process?
Requests for emergency assistance will be made on the clients' behalf by any one of the United Way of Eastern LaSalle County's 2007 Agencies. All agencies submitting Community Care Assistance requests will process clients through their normal internal procedures. The agency staff/case worker will determine the feasibility of providing help for the client through all other sources of assistance. The worker will ask you to contact the appropriate agencies and to document their responses. If the worker determines no other assistance is available they will access the Community Care fund by completing a Community Care Program Request form and signed Release of Information.

What information do I need to bring when filling out a "Community Care" Request?
Photo ID (that includes birth date), proof of address, proof of social security numbers for everyone in the household, Copy of bill(s) to be paid relating to assistance requested (utility bill, rent and/or eviction notice, late payment notice, etc.), source of income/proof of income.

How is the financial assistance delivered?
When financial assistance is approved by UWELC, the agency who filed the request will issue assistance checks or vouchers on behalf of eligible individuals and families. Absolutely no checks or cash payments will be issued directly to the client, but rather to the organization being paid; (landlord, utility company, etc.). Agency staff will deliver or mail checks and vouchers to the payee.

Are there administrative costs taken out of the Community Care Fund?
NO. 100% of the Community Care Fund goes for direct assistance to individuals and families, thanks to the volunteer efforts of our agencies.

Who sponsors the "Community Care Assistance Program"?
United Way of Eastern LaSalle County has pledged $35,000 to the Community Care Assistance Program for 2007. These funds will be credited to the Community Care Program monthly. All of the $30,000 fund allocated for 2006 was accessed and used by families and individuals in our Eastern LaSalle County service area.