Community Services Block Grant Program

CSBG is designed to provide services that assist low-income people to attain the skills, knowledge, and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

Components of the program include:

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Rental Assistance

Have you experienced a hardship or crisis that has threatened your once-stable household budget? We can help! Rental assistance is available up to $800 for those who qualify. Requirements for assistance are:

Applicants must be working 30+ hours per week with a 30 day history of work or receiving Social Security income.
Applicants must not be more than one month delinquent in rent or provide proof of an established repayment plan with their landlord.
Applicant’s rent must not exceed 50% of the household income.
Applicant must provide proof of an unavoidable hardship due to no fault of your own. (Example: house fire, hospitalization, unexpected paid repair). Must provide explanation of why rent has not been paid in a timely manner.
Applicant must be within the 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines for income.
Applicant cannot receive subsidized housing.
Once approved, applicant must attend a Financial Literacy workshop before payment is made.

Employment Support Program

Sangamon County Community Resources, through the Community Services Block Grant, offers support for job seekers to support their employment efforts. Assistance may be provided to purchase necessary uniforms and supplies for verified employment. Assistance may also be provided for test fees for licenses or vocational certifications. GED test fees may also be paid for individuals entering the workforce or increasing their earning potential. Assistance up to $150 is available with verified employment needs. This program will be available until funds are exhausted.

To apply for services, request an application packet from Sangamon County Community Resources. Applicants must make an appointment at SCCR to complete the intake process. All required documentation must be presented at the appointment, including proof of the need from the employer. Applicants must meet eligibility guidelines.

Upon approval, items will be ordered and delivered to the SCCR office for pick up or test fees will be paid directly to the vendor. No payments will be made directly to the client.

Scholarship

We believe in the power of education to transform lives. Our scholarship aims to support individuals who desire to gain self-sufficiency with a career in the ever-growing field of healthcare. The program prepares qualified individuals to be save, caring, and effective nursing assistants. This high-demand career field could be the opportunity you need to increase your earning potential and reach your goals!

Sangamon County Community Resources partners with Fishes & Loaves Vocational Center to provide full funding through the Community Services Block Grant offered by the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Call Sangamon County Community Resources at (217) 535-3120 or visit www.fishesnloaves.org to apply. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first serve basis to eligible applicants.

Financial Literacy Workshop

Sangamon County Community Resources partners with area banks to offer a Financial Literacy Workshop on the third Wednesday of each month at our office at 2833 South Grand Ave. East, Suite C100 in Springfield. You must register in advance for the class by calling SCCR at (217) 535-3120. This class is held from 9:00am – noon. An online (ZOOM) option is also available for anyone who would like to learn more about money management. The online version is held on the second Wednesday each month at 5:30 pm. Register online for this class at https://www.hbtbank.com/money-matters-sangamon-co-resources . Participants will learn more about banking accounts, how to make a budget, credit scores and how to improve them, and other money management skills.

2024 INCOME GUIDELINES

Family Size	100% of Poverty	100% 30-Day	200% of Poverty	200% 30-Day
1	$15,060	$1,255	$30,120	$2,510
2	$20,440	$1,703	$40,880	$3,407
3	$25,820	$2,152	$51,640	$4,303
4	$31,200	$2,600	$62,400	$5,200
5	$36,580	$3,048	$73,160	$6,097
6	$41,960	$3,497	$83,920	$6,993
7	$47,340	$3,945	$94,680	$7,890
8	$52,720	$4,393	$105,440	$8,787

For family units with more than 8 members, add $5,380.00 for each additional member to arrive at yearly amounts for 100%. At 200% yearly amounts are increased by $10,760.00 for each additional member.

Because numerous customers return every year for services, all programs are written to better assist all customers to improve or gain stability or self-sufficiency. Providing services to those in most need due to circumstances out of their control and those who wish to participate in case management to achieve self-sufficiency have been the agency priority in 2015 and beyond.

Staff will offer eligible customers opportunities in the form of agency services and community partner referrals. Customers who do not follow through with referrals and obtain tools to progress toward self-sufficiency will be ineligible for services until they can verify progress. Services provided will be incentivized with opportunities for self-improvement through short term training, job-search workshops, financial literacy workshops, volunteer opportunities and mentoring.

Sangamon County Illinois