Senior Living in Chicago

A helpful guide to the Seniors in Chicago. Whether you are on government assistance or not, there is a lot of programs out there that can help you save money and lead a comfortable lifestyle.

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Chicago IL Food pantries and food banks. We have the list of all food pantries in Chicago

In order to increase the quality and amount of food provided to residents in need, food assistance is now available at food pantries in your community.

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The RTA Senior Ride Free Permit allows qualifying customers age 65 and older to ride at no cost on CTA, Metra and Pace fixed route bus and rail service.

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Internet Essentials from Comcast offers low-cost Internet service, discounted computer equipment and free digital literacy training to families with at least one child eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program.

Internet Essentials Includes:

15/2 Mbps Internet service for just $9.95 a month + tax

No activation fees and no equipment rental fees

Option to purchase a computer for just $149.99 + tax

Access to free Internet training online, in print and in person

A Wireless Gateway, delivering in-home WiFi at no additional cost

Access to 40 one-hour sessions of XFINITY WiFi Hotspots every 30 days for reliable high-speed Internet on-the-go

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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services

Apply now to see if you qualify. My parents get a few hundred dollars in the year to help pay for their gas and electric bill (both separate). 

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One of the largest private, non-profit Community Action Agencies in the country, CEDA serves residents of Cook County, Illinois. Programs and services are offered in the areas of community and economic development, education, emergency assistance, employment and training, energy conservation and services, health and nutrition, and housing services.

My parents had CEDA come in about 10+ years ago to insulate their home and they even got a new furnace, for FREE! One of their friends who did the same program said they even got a new refrigerator and a couple new windows. Worth it to check it out of if you are already getting assistance through LIHEAP.

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The Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (SARFS) program provides safety, security and accessibility improvements that help senior citizens to remain in their homes

The City of Chicago has a list of contracted agencies to fulfill necessary installments for seniors living on their own. Such things are not limited to:

Grab bars

Lever faucets

Door repairs

Carbon monoxide detectors

Smoke detectors

Wheelchair ramps

etc.

Check out your ward and call/email to see what can be done for you.

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Free cell phone, discounted phone bill, or discounted internet access

Check if you qualify for a free cell phone, discounted lan line, or discounted internet access. Only one per family, so you have to pick your savings.

For instance, you can only have one cell phone. if you have the cell phone, you cannot apply for the lanline lifeline. Personally, the cell phone is a way better deal. AT&T only offered $6.00 of the bill.

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ITAC has been issuing FREE equipment in Illinois since 1988. ITAC is a Not-for-Profit serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, Deaf-Blind, and Speech-Disabled communities.

If you are or a loved one have hard of hearing, you can submit an application for an amplified lanline phone or cell phone.

1. Download application 2. Fill out and have it approved/signed by your audiologist or ear doctor 3. Send the form in and wait for a voucher to get a free phone. 4. Look up the closest center to you and try out their phones to see which suits you the best before getting the FREE phone.