Personal Assistance Programs

The Personal Assistance Program offered through the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities allows qualified individuals with disabilities who live in the city of Chicago to receive in-home services.

Services are limited to six (6) hours per week and include but are not limited to:

  • Personal health care such as hygiene and grooming
  • Housekeeping tasks, (laundry, washing dishes, mopping, sweeping, etc.)
  • Money management, (budgeting, paying bills, etc.)
  • Shopping
  • Assistance with preparing meals
  • Help with other daily living tasks that will enable the client to live independently

Please contact MOPD's Disability Resource Unit at 312.746.5773 or call 311.

For external (non-municipal) personal assistance resources, click here: External Resources

Independent Living Program Frequently Asked Questions

When you talk with the MOPD staff member, be prepared to provide the following information:   

  • Name  
  • Address  
  • Birthdate  
  • Phone Number  
  • Describe your disability  
  • Describe why you cannot prepare meals  
  • Number of people that live in the household  and if there are other household members, share why they are not able to prepare meals or assist you in meal preparation   
  • Share about other areas you may need help with at home such as cleaning, shopping, or laundry  

If MOPD staff makes a referral for Home Delivered Meals, you will be contacted by staff from MOPD’s Independent Living (ILP) vendor, which is Access Living.   The ILP staff person will confirm information they have received from MOPD and schedule an in-home visit.   

During the in-home visit, ILP staff will discuss your needs. They will also evaluate to see if any additional services may assist you. These services may include other ILP services such as Personal Assistance in the home, Assistive Devices that may make daily tasks easier, or other needed services. The ILP staff submits an assessment and recommendation to MOPD. It is reviewed and if services are approved, they will start services within a few days.  

The Home Delivered Meals program provides nutritious meals to eligible homebound Chicago residents with disabilities who do not have a support system in place and cannot cook, shop, or obtain meals. Meals are offered by MOPD’s partner, Meals on Wheels Chicago. 

This may include individuals with the following challenges:

  • Have a hard time leaving home because of illness or disability, or   
  • May not be able to make meals at home, or   
  • May not have help to shop for food or prepare food   
  • Live in the City of Chicago  
  • If you live outside of Chicago, contact your local city government, and ask for information on available food programs.    

If you are between the ages of 18 - 59 years (less than 60 years of age) then please contact a MOPD Disability Specialist to see if you qualify for home delivered meals. Or, email MOPDInfo@cityofchicago.org or call 312.746.5773.

If you are age 60 years old or older, you may qualify for home-delivered meals through the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, Senior Services.  You can call them at 312.744.4016, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  More information about Senior Services is available by visiting Senior Services website. 
 

External Resources 

Access Living (312) 640-2100, accessliving.org

Access Living keeps a database of certified personal assistants available to hire for people with disabilities to access. Personal Assistant Coordinators will provide resumes for you to review and help you coordinate care with your caregiver. 

Greater Chicago Food Depository (773) 247-3663, chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/

This network of food pantries in Chicago and Cook County serves anyone who asks and includes some local programs that offer home-delivered groceries.

Illinois Department of Human Services: Home Services Program (800) 843-6154, dhs.state.il.us

The Home Services Program (HSP) provides services, including personal assistance, household management and electronic home response, to individuals with severe disabilities under age 60 so they can remain in their homes. Apply through the Division of Rehabilitation Services portal or call for a referral to the nearest local office. There are fourteen DHS office locations in Cook County.

The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) (217) 525-1308, incil.org

INCIL supports 22 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) across the state. The goal of these non-profit organizations is to provide community-based, non-residential support for people with disabilities so they may achieve independence in every aspect of their lives, including home, work and school. 

Illinois PUNS: Division of Developmental Disabilities (Illinois Department of Human Services) 1-888-337-5267, dhs.state.il.us 

The PUNS database is a list of Illinois residents with developmental disabilities who need currently or will need support services such as in-home supports. Once registered along with their primary caregiver, residents become eligible to apply for services as funding becomes available. 

Nourishing Hope Home Delivery (773) 525-1777, nourishinghopechi.org

Nourishing Hope offers monthly grocery delivery to people with disabilities in their service area (north and north central Chicago) upon filling out an application. Their service area consists of the zip codes 60614, 60613, 60657, 60640, and 60660, as well as the eastern parts of 60647, 60625, 60618, and 60659.