This is something that our caseworker, Gary Ostrowski, has heard over and over from those people who cross his threshold. People who are facing mortgage foreclosures, job layoffs, rising gas and food prices; so many factors that are impacting families all across the country. The impact is no less deep here in Downers Grove Township. That is why I would like you to tell you about the assistance that our township has been providing for years through our General Assistance and other related programs. While we can’t provide for every need, we do our best to help those we can.
General Assistance is a state-mandated program that townships within Illinois administer to eligible residents. General assistance is intended to fill the gap for those who do not fit into other categories of assistance such as Public Aid, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security or Veteran Assistance Commission. It is a specialized program that is for single adults who are able to work or are pending Social Security or Supplemental Security. Given the current economy, our General Assistance applications have increased 40% in the past year alone, clearly demonstrating the need of so many of our residents. Another element to services we provide to many of those who come to the township falls into the category of Emergency Assistance.
Emergency Assistance is not state mandated but exists through the township as a mechanism to assist township residents in meeting basic living expenses and to provide emergency aid. This aid is based on income standards adopted by the township and the individual meeting qualifying requirements for assistance. One type of Emergency Assistance we can provide is a one-time rental assistance that is in the amount of $150.00. Besides Emergency Assistance, the township also offers the LIHEAP and ACCESS DuPage programs.
LIHEAP is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that assists eligible households with their winter heating bills. Eligibility is determined on the size of the household, income, geographical location and type of fuel used. During 2011, over a nine-month period, there were 315 applications for LIHEAP. ACCESS DuPage is a service that helps eligible residents in DuPage County receive primary care medical services. It isn’t an insurance program but if you are without medical insurance, you may enroll if you meet the criteria. Persons over 65 or families with children under the age of 18 are not eligible. Over a nine-month period in 2011, a total of 89 residents submitted applications for ACCESS DuPage.
Over the past year, our caseworker has fielded over 2752 calls from township residents seeking help. This reflects the shrinking resources all over our county but the continued growth in need for so many people. As the township supervisor, I feel a tremendous responsibility to manage our resources to the best of our ability and maximize those resources so we can assist as many of our residents as is humanly possible. If you have any questions about any of our services, I am always willing to listen. You can reach me by phone at (630) 719-6611 or via e-mail at Frank.Wurster@dgtownship.com. It is an honor to serve you all.
Frank Wurster
Township Supervisor
