Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Lake County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 71 places that can help in Lake County: Catholic Charities Lake Co. Food Pantry Waukegan (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Wednesday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM...), (847) 782-4000, call first; Christ Church Community Meal in Waukegan (Sunday, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM), (847) 662-7081, call first; Christian Faith Fellowship in Waukegan (Saturday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM), (847) 732-3817, call first. 68 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help paying rent or a utility bill in Lake County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 13 places that can help in Lake County: The Salvation Army Moraine Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Deerfield, Bannockburn, Highwood, Highland Park, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, (847) 432-3240, call first; The Salvation Army First Baptist Church of Winthrop Harbor (Service Extension) Service Area: Winthrop Harbor, Zion, (847) 872-5312, call first; The Salvation Army Vernon Township (Service Extension) Service Area: Indian Creek, Mettawa, Prairie View, Vernon Hills in Buffalo Grove, (847) 634-4600, call first. 10 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get housing help in Lake County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Lake County: Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan, (847) 244-8500, call first; Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago, (847) 223-1170, call first; Housing Authority of the County of Lake, IL. in Grayslake, (847) 223-1170, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Lake County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 9 places that can help in Lake County: Belvidere Medical Building in Waukegan, (847) 377-8400, call first; Erie Waukegan Health Center, (312) 666-3494, call first; Grand Avenue Health Center in Waukegan, (847) 377-8180, call first. 6 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Lake County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Lake County: The Salvation Army WAUKEGAN (IL) ADULT REHABILITATION CENTER & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES in Waukegan, (847) 662-7730, call first; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 988; SAMHSA National Helpline (Open 24 hours a day, every day), (800) 662-4357. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with veterans benefits in Lake County, Illinois?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Lake County: Veterans Crisis Line (Open 24 hours a day, every day), 988; VA national phone lines (Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern), (800) 827-1000. A veteran in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
Where can I get free legal help in Lake County, Illinois?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Lake County: Prairie State Legal Services, (630) 690-2130. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Is HelpByState free to use?
Yes. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. Every listing is free, and so is adding or correcting one.
Why do some listings say call first?
Church and community pantries often change days, move, or close for a holiday. When the sources we checked disagree, or an organization does not publish its hours, we say so instead of guessing. A quick call saves a trip.
I run a pantry or a program. How do I get listed or fix our hours?
Use the Add a listing or Suggest an update form. We confirm it against your own page or contact you, then change the listing. It is free.
Is this the same as 2-1-1?
No. 2-1-1 is a statewide phone line and database run by the state network. HelpByState is an independent, county-by-county directory that shows the date each listing was checked. If you want to talk to a person, dial 2-1-1.
Where do the hours and phone numbers come from?
From each organization's own website or page, official sources such as housing authority and WIC clinic lists, and the public Find Food map of the Northern Illinois Food Bank. We list the source on every card.