Did you know that NLEN offers free financial assistance and education? Our LISC Chicago Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) offers one-on-one budget coaching, credit history and credit repair support, and much more.
Struggling to make ends meet? We’ve got you.
NLEN understands that a home feels more secure when bills are manageable and food is on the table. That’s why we partner with others to offer a wide variety of utility bill and nutrition assistance programs for Chicagoans.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Helping to keep the lights on — and so much more.
Lower-income households in Chicago are eligible for utility bill assistance and forgiveness. But navigating paperwork and qualifications can be daunting and time consuming. To make things easier for our community, NLEN is proud to partner with the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA). CEDA’s mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities facing poverty to secure a better quality of life, and they do this by providing a variety of assistance programs for eligible households to preserve their energy services.
In partnership with CEDA, NLEN offers a wide variety of utility assistance programs including:
- Gas and electric bill assistance
- Water bill assistance
- People's Gas Share the Warmth Program
- ComEd Residential Hardship Program
Depending on which utility bill assistance program you’re applying for, there will be different levels of financial support. For example, People’s Gas Share the Warmth program offers a maximum of $200 for unpaid gas bills.
For utility bill assistance deadlines, qualifications, and more, email info@nlen.org
or call 773-265-7940.
Checklist for utility bill assistance
Each utility bill assistance program has specific income and eligibility requirements, and requires applicants to provide specific documentation. In general, most programs have a checklist that includes:
- Proof of 30-day income for all residents over 18 (wages, Social Security benefits, TANF, AABD, Unemployment)
- Your most recent gas, electric, or water bills
- Social Security numbers for all household members, if available
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
One of the programs that NLEN and CEDA taps for utility bill assistance is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides eligible customers with a one-time payment towards your energy bills — regardless of whether you rent or own your home. Benefits are available once per program year, or until funds are exhausted.
NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE 
Breaking down barriers to getting food on the table
NLEN’s partnership with Nourishing Hope and the Greater Chicago Food Depository are just two ways we work with community partners to help increase local access to fresh food, and help North Lawndale residents get food on the table.
Nourishing Hope
Through Nourishing Hope's innovative Online Marketplace, people can select fresh produce and dairy products, frozen meat, and other grocery and personal items online once a month, and pick them up at the NLEN campus.
NLEN’s Online Marketplace Pickup is every 3rd Monday of the month, with cart finalization the Thursday and Friday prior.
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Our partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and its Benefits Access Network (BAN) aims to increase participation in SNAP and Medicaid among eligible families. NLEN provides application assistance for SNAP and Medicaid, case management support, and education on other public assistance programs like WIC, EITC, and LIHEAP.
To receive assistance in signing up for nutrition assistance, call NLEN at 773-638-7070.