Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters
26 programs listed · 24 verified against the program's own website
Financial-assistance programs for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters in Illinois. Verified July 25, 2026. A key homeshare note runs through every category: sharing your home can raise a homeowner’s counted income for income-tested programs (LIHEAP, weatherization, IHDA repair, USDA 504, and the income-tested Senior Freeze and tax deferral), while the flat exemptions (the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities, and the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities) have no income test and are safe. Where a program does not spell out how a home seeker is treated, confirm before adding one.
Best first stops: for utilities and weatherization, the Help Illinois Families call center at 1-833-711-0374 (helpillinoisfamilies.com); for older adults and aging in place, the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966; for home repair, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) at 312-836-5200; for property tax, the county Chief County Assessment Office and the Illinois Department of Revenue at 1-800-732-8866.
Everything below, in one file you can print or take to an appointment.
Home modification and aging in place
Home Services Program (HSP) Home/Environmental Modifications
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
What you get
Cost of approved accessibility modifications (ramps, bathroom and doorway modifications); amount set by assessed need
Who qualifies
Under 60 at initial enrollment (serves working-age adults with disabilities)
Income limit
No standard income cap; participant must have non-exempt assets at or below the Medicaid HCBS waiver limit (2025)
How to apply
Submit a request through the Rehabilitation Services web referral system or contact one of the 47 local Rehabilitation Services offices to ask for an assessment; modifications are authorized through the Home Services Program care plan
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Illinois Assistive Technology Program (statewide AT Act nonprofit)
What you get
Device demonstration, device lending/reuse, and low-interest financial loans to buy assistive technology and accessibility equipment
Who qualifies
Any age
Income limit
No income cap for device loan/reuse; financial-loan program has underwriting criteria
How to apply
Contact IATP in Springfield to arrange a demonstration, borrow a device from the lending library, ask about reused equipment, or apply for a financing loan
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
USDA Section 504 Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
federal-in-stateHomeownersNot confirmed
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
loan
Who runs it
USDA Rural Development, Illinois state office
What you get
Loans up to $40,000 at 1% fixed; grants up to $10,000 ($15,000 in declared disaster areas) (2026)
Who qualifies
Grants require age 62 or older; loans have no age limit
Income limit
Very-low income, defined by county area median income (2026); must be unable to obtain affordable credit for a loan
How to apply
Apply year-round through the nearest USDA Rural Development area office; must own and occupy a home in an eligible rural area
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Illinois DCEO administers the state (non-entitlement) CDBG program; cities and counties run local rehab
What you get
Deferred or forgivable rehab grant/loan through the CDBG Competitive Housing Rehabilitation Component; amount set by the local grantee
Who qualifies
Any age
Income limit
Generally at or below 80% of Area Median Income (HUD low/moderate income)
How to apply
Contact your city or county community development office; entitlement cities (e.g., Chicago, Moline, Danville) run their own programs while small communities apply through DCEO grantees
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) via local Community Action Agencies
What you get
One-time energy bill payment and reconnection/crisis assistance; amount varies by household size, income, and fuel type
Who qualifies
Any age; adults 60+ get priority early application
Income limit
At or below 60% of State Median Income (PY2026); about $39,979/year for one person
How to apply
Apply through your local Community Action Agency via helpillinoisfamilies.com or the call center; priority window opens Oct 1, general Nov 1, through Aug 15, 2026
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Illinois DCEO via local energy assistance / Community Action Agencies
What you get
Customer pays about 6% of gross monthly income toward energy; monthly LIHEAP benefit (up to $100 primary/$50 secondary) plus arrearage forgiveness for on-time payment
Who qualifies
Any age
Income limit
Same LIHEAP income limits (at or below 60% State Median Income, PY2026); must have past-due balance and participating utility
How to apply
Enroll through a local energy assistance agency during the PIPP window (typically Oct 1 through Dec 31, subject to funding). New applications are paused while funding is limited, so ask your agency when enrollment reopens
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
ComEd (regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission), mandated by CEJA
What you get
Tiered monthly electric discount from about 5% up to roughly 81% depending on income tier, housing type, and heating source (launched in early 2026)
Who qualifies
Any age
Income limit
At or below 300% of Federal Poverty Level (2026); LIHEAP recipients auto-qualify
How to apply
Tiers 1-4 qualify by applying for LIHEAP (PowerBillDiscount.com or the call center); Tier 5 self-certifies via ComEd's Smart Assistance Manager at ComEd.com/EnergySavings
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Ameren Illinois income-qualified discount rate and bill payment assistance
utilityOwners or renters
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
Ameren Illinois (regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission)
What you get
Discounted affordability rate starting June 2026 that caps electric bills at about 3% of verified monthly income for customers without electric space heating and about 6% for customers with it; also Keeping Cool credits of $50 a month from May through September, Dollar More grants up to $600, Special Assistance Reconnection Program credits up to $2,000 a year, a natural gas service charge discount, and Warm Neighbors Cool Friends hardship grants
Who qualifies
Any age; Keeping Cool credits target older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children under 5
Income limit
Income-qualified thresholds set under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (2026); LIHEAP recipients are enrolled automatically. Ask Ameren Illinois for the current tier cutoffs
How to apply
Apply for LIHEAP through a Community Action Agency to be enrolled in the discount automatically, or call Ameren Illinois to ask about the discount rate and the other assistance programs; hardship help is also available through Warm Neighbors Cool Friends
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Illinois FAIR Plan Association (state-authorized last-resort property insurer)
What you get
Basic property insurance for owners unable to obtain coverage in the standard market: homeowners, dwelling fire, and farm residence policies; not premium assistance
Who qualifies
Any age
Income limit
None
How to apply
Apply through a licensed Illinois insurance producer (agent), who submits the application electronically; the FAIR Plan does not sell directly to the public, and applicants must show they first tried the standard market
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
No statewide property-insurance premium subsidy for low-income homeowners or renters was identified. The FAIR Plan provides access to coverage but not premium help. SHIP covers Medicare, not property insurance.
HomeShare-relevant extras
Center of Concern Home Sharing
nonprofitOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Center of Concern (nonprofit), Des Plaines, IL
What you get
Free matching service pairing home providers with room seekers; typical room rent $700-$900/month (2026)
Who qualifies
Any age
Income limit
None to use the service; seekers must show verifiable income
How to apply
Apply online at centerofconcern.org/home-sharing or call the office; screening, ID, references, and background checks required
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Local municipalities and counties; in Chicago the Department of Housing runs the Additional Dwelling Unit program. No statewide ADU mandate as of 2026
What you get
n/a; ADUs are allowed where local zoning permits. Chicago's Additional Dwelling Unit ordinance now reaches beyond the five 2020 pilot areas to much of the city, and distinguishes conversion units (in an attic or basement) from coach houses (detached)
How to apply
Check with your municipal zoning or building department. In Chicago, check the ADU eligibility map, apply to the Department of Housing for pre-certification, then get construction permits from the Department of Buildings; questions go to ADU@cityofchicago.org
Some of the biggest sources of help are federal and work much the same everywhere, including USDA Section 504 home repair, LIHEAP energy assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and VA housing grants. They are described once, in detail, on our federal programs page, and the entries above give you the Illinois contacts.
One more option
Sharing your home is not on this list, but it belongs beside it.
Every program here helps you afford the home you have. Home sharing does something different: it turns a spare room into steady income and company. It is worth considering before you sell, before you move, and before things get harder to manage alone.