With unemployment increasing, and revenue being limited, creating a thrifty and conservative budget is imperative to personal economic stability. Below are a few resources to help act as a guide toward retooling your budget and helping you stay afloat. Each person’s financial obligation is unique, and requires different considerations. The list of articles below offer a framework and ideas on how to review your current budget. Additionally, you can find resources on how to navigate government benefits.
Rent and rent arrears payment is available for individuals and families that are in immediate risk of eviction. The program does NOT pay security deposits. Here’s a link to City of Chicago resources. And here’s a tutorial on the program guidelines and how to submit an application.
Workers temporarily laid off because of COVID-19 could qualify for benefits as long as they are able to return to their place of employment once it reopens, according to the state website.
Governor JB Pritzker has directed those without access to sick leave or unable to work because of COVID-19 to call the Illinois Department of Employment Security at 1-800-244-5631 or visit the department online to apply for benefits.
The nutritional needs of each household is a top priority for city and government officials. Below are the resources to help you meet your nutrition needs:
As of April 22nd, 26 million jobs have been lost because of the novel coronavirus. However, there are essential jobs hiring “immediately”. Review the lists below to identify a job to meet your needs:
There are a number of funds for small business owners, entrepreneurs to help meet financial needs and support during this time.
Bartenders, barbacks and cocktail servers in need of support can apply for the United States Bartender Guild’s National Charity Foundation. The organization is offering emergency grants for bartenders. You do not need to be a member to apply.
The City of Chicago Cultural Affairs and Special Events is offering support to artists. Review requirements here.
Please see below for a list of resources and opportunities that may provide relief during this time:
Adults between 19 to 64 years old who make less than 133 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for Medicaid. The income limits are $12,760 for an individual, $17,240 for a family of two, $21,720 for a family of three and $26,200 for a family of four. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced plans to file a federal waiver requesting funds to expand Medicaid coverage during the coronavirus outbreak. Those with questions and concerns about coronavirus can call the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931.
Text “talk” to 552020. Once a resident texts the hotline, they’ll receive a call from a counselor from a local community mental health center.
CARES stands for Crisis and Referral Entry Services. CARES is a telephone response service that handles mental health crisis calls for children and youth in Illinois. A parent/guardian may check to see if their child can receive SASS services, by calling the CARES:
Crisis Line:
1-800-345-9049 (Voice),
1-773-523-4504 (TTY).
You should call CARES when a child is at risk to himself or others and any time you or others think a child is having a mental health crisis. If a child has mental health problems, but is NOT a risk to self or others and is not experiencing a crisis, contact your local community mental health services provider on the IDHS website or call our Child and Adolescent Client Assistance Line at: 312-793-1361, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (excluding Holidays).
Symptoms of anxiety, isolation and disappointment are normal in adolescence; however, the outbreak of COVID-19 has only heightened those emotions. Please call the Rush Adolescent Family Clinic at (312) 942-2777 to be connected with a social worker for further help.
This episode of The Daily focuses on how to talk with our children about Covid-19-19.
This article from PBS Kids features numerous resources for talking with kids about COVID-19, prevention, and taking care of ourselves.
This episode of Daniel Tiger shows kids how to wash their hands. These are just a few of the video links to help children understand the pandemic.
One of our wonderful partners, Pure Edge, has great content for mindfulness and movement for adults and kids.
Core Power Yoga offers free online classes everyday. Here
Asutra offers organic plants, minerals, and essential oils to refresh your mind, re-energize your body and replenish your soul. Review their products here
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. If you don’t have a mask, follow this link to learn how to make a cloth mask at home.
This article on practicing the division of responsibility in eating is a helpful guide to eating, especially during stress or trauma.
Native Tongue is a Chicago-based blog and free magazine. They believe that everyone deserves access to food education.
Google Arts & Culture takes you inside the collections of 2,500 museums worldwide, including special online exhibits.
The Children’s Museum of the Arts in NYC has a great website with at-home art projects.
These videos from a Chicago early childhood education music teacher are great for children, ages 1-3.
This Artful site is FULL of theater and dance lessons.
Motherwell, a space for telling all sides of the parenting story, has a section about what it is like to parent now. Their stories remind us that we are all in this together.
On the Kids Cook Real Food site, you can sign up for virtual classes to teach your kids cooking skills.
Janet Lansbury is a RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) trained expert on raising children in a respectful, connected way. We love her books and podcast, Unruffled, where she guides parents through the challenges of raising young children.
A guide to working from home with children.
An article about schools being closed and how we can help kids keep learning.
An article on helping autistic children cope with this crisis.