EFCCL Financial Assistance Program:

Please read carefully as our program has changed.  We do not provide emergency assistance. Please note that our process can take 2-3 weeks.

FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, WE HELP WITH THE FOLLOWING THINGS ONLY:

• PAST DUE MORTGAGE

• PAST DUE RENT (we do NOT help with motel/hotel bills)

• UTILITY BILLS (electric, gas, and water only)

• CAR REPAIR: This requires you to get 3 estimates from garages of your choice—OR—you may contact our preferred garage, Esser Automotive in Crystal Lake, to schedule an appointment for an estimate. **PLEASE NOTE:
  1. Esser Automotive REQUIRES an appointment and it takes about a week to get in with them as they are very busy. 
  2. If your vehicle is ALREADY IN A GARAGE needing repair, you are NOT eligible for help.
  3. We do not pay for vehicles to be towed.

 OUR PROGRAM REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1) TO BEGIN THE PROCESS, CLICK THE BLACK BUTTON BELOW TO SET UP AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT WITH A STAFF MEMBER.

*** YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL STATING THAT YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT, ALONG WITH A CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE APPOINTMENT.

***IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT, YOU DO NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. Because we have so many people trying to fill out the form at the same time, whoever SUBMITS the form first will end up getting the appointment.

• DURING THAT MEETING, YOU'LL COMPLETE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION.

• YOU WILL NEED TO BRING ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION. IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, THE APPOINTMENT WILL BE CANCELED AND YOU WILL NEED TO RESCHEDULE (NO EXCEPTIONS).

3) YOUR LAST STEP IN THE PROCESS IS TO MEET WITH A CARE TEAM.

• ONCE YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETED WITH ALL DOCUMENTATION, YOU CAN SET UP AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT WITH ONE OF OUR CARE TEAMS.

• REMEMBER, THE TIME FROM COMPLETING THE APPLICATION, TO HAVING A FINANCIAL AMOUNT APPROVED, AND MEETING WITH THE CARE TEAM CAN TAKE UP TO 3 WEEKS.

Click the black button below to fill out the form and let us know what you need. 

Please note that if you receive an error when you click on the form, that indicates that we have reached the maximum number of requests for the week. Please try again next Tuesday after 9:00 am when the form will be reactivated. The form is available to fill out Tuesday - Friday only.

**PLEASE NOTE: Our Financial Assistance Program WILL BE CLOSED November 20 - December 5 AND December 22 - January 6

Have questions about our program? Email benevolent@efccl.org

The Christmas Season can bring financial challenges. Times are hard for many in McHenry County, and beyond.  If you are looking for a bit of help this Christmas season, please fill out the form to be a part of our Giving Tree program.  Please note that this form is not to be used for general requests for financial assistance, but for the Giving Tree only. 

 Please note: To receive your Giving Tree gift, it is required that you attend a gathering on Saturday, December 7, at 9:00 am at EFCCL . Please do not fill out the Giving Tree form if you cannot attend the December 7 event.  There will be no exceptions.  

Resources:

Here are some great resources in our communities that you may not know about. We encourage you to check them out and become familiar with them. 

Physical/Financial/Food Resources

• www.needhelppayingbills.com
Many people need help paying their bills or debts. Or they need free items, such as food, clothes, or other supplies for their household. There are thousands of financial assistance programs that may help struggling families. CLICK HERE for more information from needhelppayingbills.com.

• Need a place to stay?
Do you need a clean, safe place to stay in Crystal Lake for a reasonable price? CLICK HERE

• CLICK HERE for hours and information on the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

• Did you know you can simply dial 211 to connect with the United Way? They are well-prepared with information regarding many ways to get help locally.

In Crystal Lake:

Salvation Army
290 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, IL | Call first: 815-455-2769 | Monday-Friday: 8:30 am - 4 pm

Good Samaritan Ministry at Bethany Lutheran Church
76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, IL | 815-477-2489 | Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9 - 11 am

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton/St. Vincent DePaul
1023 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake, IL | 815-701-2737 | Leave name and phone number on voicemail, someone will call you back

St. Thomas Outreach (small white building)
469 Lake St., Crystal Lake, IL | 815-455-1249 | Wednesday and Saturday: 9 - 11 am

Crystal Lake Food Pantry
42 East St., Crystal Lake, IL | 815-455-0961 | Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10 am - 2 pm; Thursday, 5-7 pm; Saturday: 9 am - 12 pm | Serves School District 47/155 and residents with ID

In McHenry County:

United Way of Greater McHenry County (211)
815-363-1377 or dial 2-1-1 | Also check with your township

In Cary/Fox River Grove:

St Peter and Paul / St Vincent DePaul Society
410 N. First St., Cary IL | 847-516-2636

Cary Grove Food Pantry
8901 S. Cary Algonquin Rd., Cary IL | 847-516-3602

In Marengo/Union:

M.O.R.E. Center
829 Greenlee St., Marengo, IL | 815-568-7950 | Offers Salvation Army, financial and food pantry assistance

In Woodstock:

Salvation Army & Dorr Township Assistance
140 Newell St., Woodstock, IL | Call first: 815-338-0125

Resurrection Parish
2918 Country Club Rd., Woodstock, IL | 815-338-7330 | Tuesday and Saturday: 10 am - 12 pm | Call first to see if they have funds

Direct Assistance Program
221 Dean St., Woodstock, IL | 815-455-2769

St. Mary’s
312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock, IL | 815-334-7711

PADS Woodstock
14411 Kishwaukee Valley Rd., Woodstock, IL | 815-338-5231

Woodstock Food Pantry
226 Washington, Woodstock, IL | 815-337-0375

McHenry County Housing Authority
1108 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL | 815-338-7752

Turning Point (Domestic Violence Agency)
P.O. Box 723, Woodstock, IL | 1-800-892-8900 (Crisis Line) | 815-338-8081 | Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 7 pm; Friday: 9 am - 1 pm

In McHenry:

Church of Holy Apostles
5211 Bull Valley Rd., McHenry, IL | 815-385-5673 | Help with medicine

Fellowship of Faith
6120 Mason Hill Rd., McHenry, IL | 815-759-0739

Catholic Charities
5141 Bull Valley Rd., McHenry, IL | 815-344-6956

Home of the Sparrow
5342 W. Elm St., McHenry, IL | 815-271-5444

In Johnsburg/Wonder Lake:

Salvation Army
McHenry Township Assistance, FISH Food Pantry at McHenry Township Office | 3703 N. Richmond Rd., Johnsburg, IL | Call first: 815-385-5605

Christ the King Church
5006 E. Wonder Lake Rd., Wonder Lake, IL | 815-653-2561

Joyful Harvest Church
5050 Johnsburg Rd., Johnsburg, IL | 847-497-4569 | 12:15 - 3:15 pm