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Benefits Navigator

What does the Benefits Navigator do?

The Benefits Navigator offers assistance and guidance to college students struggling to meet their basic needs. The navigator can help students apply for federal, state, and local benefit programs and provide information on area food pantries, clinics, and other facilities.

The Benefits Navigator at Shawnee Community College is Donna Price, LSW.
You can reach Donna at (618) 634-3322 or email her at donnap@shawneecc.edu.

Please visit the basic needs center to speak with Donna Price. If needed, the basic needs team is ready to assist. Our goal is to help you succeed.

Resources

The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State
(Driver License/ State ID/ Name Change/ Gender Change/ Veteran Designation on License/ State ID for Homeless)
https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/drlicid.html

Southern Illinois Continuum of Care Network (SICOCN)
https://sites.google.com/pcni.org/sicocn

Illinois Board of Higher Education Stay the Course
https://www.ibhe.org/stay-the-course.html

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) WOMEN, INFANTS, CHILDREN (WIC)
WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well and stay healthy.

Who can receive these services?
Women and their children who are:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or just had a baby
- Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
- Families with a low to medium-income

Use the Pre-Screening Tool to find out if you might qualify for WIC benefits.
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30513

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant women and families with one or more dependent children. TANF provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical.

Who can receive these services?
To qualify for TANF, a person must:
- Be pregnant or have a child under age 19 who lives with them. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student. A pregnant woman (and her husband, if he lives with her) may qualify for help, even if they don't have any other children.
- Live in Illinois. You can be homeless and still qualify.
- Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements.
- Develop a plan for becoming self-sufficient and follow it.

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30358

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Medical Assistance Programs

What is the purpose of this service?
Medical Assistance Programs are designed to provide Illinois residents access to quality health care.
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30359

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program CCAP
We know how important it is for you to find quality child care for your child. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency are working together to support families to get the information and resources they need to find and select the best child care for their child.
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30355

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Applying for Medicaid
https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/medicaidguide/applying.html

Child Care Resource & Referral at John A. Logan College (CCR&R)

An emphasis on improving accessibility, affordability, and quality of child care, by working together, with all families, providers, and communities.
https://www.ccrrjalc.com/

SIFAMILIES.ORG
Building strong, successful families through community connections.
https://www.sifamilies.org/

Team Kentucky: Cabinet for Health and Family Services
A place to apply for and manage your healthcare, food, and cash assistance benefits for individuals in Kentucky.
https://www.chfs.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx

Missouri Department of Social Services
A place to apply for and manage your healthcare, food, and cash assistance benefits for individuals in Missouri.
https://dss.mo.gov/