Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Commissioners Donna Miller and Brandon Johnson, Bureau Chief Xochitl Flores of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, and the Family Independence Initiative (FII) announced the launch of the $2.1 million Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Resident Cash Assistance Program to help suburban Cook County residents experiencing financial insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify for the Cash Assistance Program, applicants must be a resident of suburban Cook County and provide the following documents:

• One form of government issued identification that includes your current residential address or two alternative forms of identification

• Proof of your COVID-19 hardship due to unpaid leave, care for vulnerable or infected relatives, or loss of wages due to business or school closures.

• Proof of household income meeting eligibility requirements.

• Bank information including account and routing number if you choose to direct deposit. You can typically find this on a check.

Documentation will be requested at time of application. The application opens today and closes on November 6, 2020 at 11:59pm CST.

For the utility assistance program, CEDA is providing assistance for the following services:

• Gas & Electric

• Furnace Repair & Replacement

• Water Assistance

The application is open and closes on October 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm CST.

For more information and to apply for either program, go to: www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery.