List of Accepted Documents

The below is a list of accepted documents to demonstrate your eligibility for the pilot. Applicants were asked to submit a copy or photo of their documents in the online application. 

If you are selected for the pilot and you self-attested Chicago residency, identity, and/or income during application, you may be asked to provide additional information or documentation to help GiveDirectly verify your identity, residence, or income before or during enrollment. If additional information is needed, GiveDirectly staff will reach out to you by SMS, email, or phone prior to enrollment. 

Click on the following links to view and print PDF versions of the list of accepted documents (English PDF) (Spanish PDF) (Filipino PDF) (Chinese PDF) (Arabic PDF) (Polish PDF)

The applicant should submit one of the following unexpired forms of photo ID: 

  • Driver’s license 
  • State ID 
  • Chicago CityKey ID 
  • US Passport 
  • Non-United States Passport 
  • Military ID 
  • Green card 
  • Certificate of naturalization (form N-550 or N-570) 
  • Certificate of US citizenship (form N-560 or N-561) 
  • Permanent resident card (I-551) 
  • Native American tribal photo ID 
  • Student ID (with DOB) 
  • Consular ID Card  
  • (Foreign) Voter ID Card  
  • Matricula I.D. 
  • US Employment Authorization 
  • Learner’s Permit 
  • Temporary Visitor Driver’s License

If none of the above are available, the applicant may alternatively submit two of any of the below forms of non-photo ID, one of which must show date of birth (DOB): 

Birth certificate, health insurance card/prescription card, insurance card (with DOB), voter ID card, employment identification card, vehicle registration with name and address, official school enrollment records, adoption records, life insurance policy record, baptismal certificate or other religious certificate, or certified hospital records. 

As a last resort, a signed identity attestation letter from a nonprofit, faith-based organization, public benefit program caseworker, or a signed attestation by the applicant may also be accepted. 

The applicant should submit one of the following forms of proof of residency: 

  • Proof of I.D. (see prior chart) with current address  
  • Utility bill from last 90 days with service address 
  • Landline phone bill from last 90 days with service address 
  • Internet bill from last 90 days with service address 
  • Cable bill from last 90 days with service address 
  • Unexpired rental insurance with address being insured 
  • Unexpired vehicle registration with home address 
  • Tax return or receipt with home address 
  • Mortgage or lease documents with home address 
  • House deed with full address and applicant's name 
  • Government benefits document with home address (no older than 1 year) 
  • Letter from government agency stating residency address (no older than 1 year) 

If none of the above are available, the applicant may alternatively submit a Homeless Management Information System record or a signed residency attestation letter from a nonprofit, faith-based organization or public benefit program caseworker. As a last resort, a signed attestation by the applicant may also be accepted

The applicant should plan to submit one of the following proof of income documents for each income-earning adult member in the household, unless the benefit applies to the whole household: 

  • Proof of participation in one of the below assistance programs:  
  • Chicago Housing Authority Identification Number (Active)  
  • Enrollment or eligibility confirmation letter from any of the following programs: 
    • Child Care Assistance Program ("CCAP")- dated January 2021 or later 
    • Pell Grants- dated January 2021 or later 
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) – dated April 2021 or later  
    • Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) - dated January 2021 or later   
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”) – dated April 2021 or later  
    • Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”)- dated April 2021 or later  
  • Tax documents from 2020 or 2021: Form 1040 or other filed tax form 
  • Wage documents from 2021 or 2022: 
    • W2 or 1099  
    • Recent paystub or paycheck 
    • Unemployment award letter 
    • Bank statement 
    • Transaction history for known gig economy platforms, e.g., Uber, Lyft, Taskrabbit, Upwork. 

If none of the above are available, the applicant may alternatively submit a signed income attestation letter from a nonprofit, faith-based organization, or a public benefit program caseworker. As a last resort, a signed attestation by the applicant may also be accepted. 

Housing insecure or unsheltered residents, returning residents, undocumented residents, and other groups may face barriers to obtaining the approved list of documents. In consideration of the barriers faced by these groups, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and public benefits caseworkers may provide a signed attestation letter of identity & age, residency, and/or income eligibility on behalf of an applicant. 

The Department of Family and Support Services thanks all of the community organizations who hosted information and application assistance events in order to help residents understand the application requirements and submit complete applications.