Essex
Ask about Essex
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Essex and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Essex
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
Village of Essex Village Hall
219 W. Main St., Essex, IL 60935
Help here
- Village servicesVisit or call the village office for local government information and resident services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on villageofessex.com
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Essex first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Resurrection UMC
47 miles from the center of Essex5717 W 63rd Pl, Chicago, IL 60638
Hours
- Fri9 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60629 and 60638
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St Florian
47 miles from the center of Essex13115 S Houston Ave, Chicago, IL 60633
Hours
- Wed9 AM to 11 AM (1st and 2nd and 3rd and 5th of the month); 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM (4th of the month)
Who can come: People north of 126th Street, south of 142nd Street, east of the State Line and west of the Little Calumet River; ZIP code 60633
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St Gall
49 miles from the center of Essex5533 S Sawyer Ave, Chicago, IL 60629
Hours
- Mon4 PM to 6 PM
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60629 and 60632
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
St Katharine Drexel Parish
49 miles from the center of Essex9047 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60619
Hours
- Fri8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Who can come: People north of 63rd Street, south of 103rd Street, east of State Street and west of Lake Michigan
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Englewood Red Shield Center
49 miles from the center of Essex845 W 69th St, Chicago, IL 60621
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 1 PM
- Wed9 AM to 1 PM
- Thu9 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60609, 60615, 60617, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60627, 60628, 60633, 60636, 60637, 60643, 60649, 60653 and 60827
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Christ Life Church Chicago
51 miles from the center of Essex8927 S Houston Ave, Chicago, IL 60617
Hours
- Sat10 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60617 and 60633
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Essex
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Northern Illinois Food Bank
273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, IL 60134
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Kankakee County Community Services
657 East Court Street, Suite 207, Kankakee, IL 60901-4055
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Kankakee County
Essex is in Kankakee County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Child support · State office
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Child Support Services
253 N Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, IL 60901
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services and payments through the state office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hfs.illinois.gov
State office
Illinois Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center
285 N Schuyler Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901
Help here
- SNAP, TANF, and MedicaidApply for food benefits, cash assistance, and medical coverage through the state benefits office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dhs.state.il.us
Housing help · Regional office
Kankakee County Housing Authority
185 Saint Joseph Avenue, Kankakee, IL 60901
Help here
- Public housingEligible residents can apply for affordable public housing.
- Housing Choice VoucherEligible residents can ask about rental help through the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kchail.com
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Illinois
Help here
- Help finding local servicesCall 211 any time to get connected with local help for housing, food, utilities, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211illinois.org
Public health · County office
Kankakee County Health Department
2390 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901
Help here
- Public health servicesGet immunizations, health screenings, infectious disease services, and environmental health help.
- WICEligible pregnant people, parents, infants, and children under five can get food benefits, nutrition support, and referrals.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kankakeehealth.org
Mental health and recovery · Nonprofit
Duane Dean Behavioral Health
367 S Schuyler Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901
Help here
- Outpatient behavioral health treatmentAdults can get outpatient behavioral health treatment and help connecting with other social services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on duanedean.org
Illinois programs by kind of help
These are run by Illinois and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- 211 Illinois
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988