People who have had a reduction in hours or lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be able to get help with their rent, water, and/or mortgage payments through the CARES Act grant. Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) administers this grant program in Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties.
The CARES Act grant provides a one-time payment directly to the landlord, water vendor, and/or mortgage holder. The amount of assistance that each successful applicant receives is dependent upon their individual circumstances.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that a financial loss from a reduction in hours or the loss of a job has occurred during the pandemic. Katerina Dawson, WIRC-CAA’s Community Services Block Grant Coordinator, says that applicants can prove that loss in several ways. “It can be expressed in the form of unemployment payments received, a letter received by the unemployment office, evidence of a reduction in hours at your workplace, or evidence of loss in pay at your workplace via a check stub,” she said.
Because the financial assistance is provided through a federal grant, successful applicants will not need to pay back the funds received. This program will only be offered for a limited time, so applicants are strongly encouraged to apply right away.
Dawson continued that all application appointments are being conducted over the phone until further notice in order to keep everyone involved as safe as possible during the pandemic.
To apply, call WIRC-CAA at 309-837-2997 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
WIRC’s Community Action Agency department provides efficient and diverse human services to help individuals and families help themselves, as well as providing services to survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. For more information, visit wirpc.org, find Western Illinois Regional Council & Community Action Agency on social media, or call (309) 837-2997.
***Report Courtesy of Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA)***
