Last updated: June 18, 2026
Urgent help in Illinois
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If calling is not safe, move to the safest place you can and ask a trusted person to call for you.
For domestic violence help anywhere in Illinois, call or text 877-863-6338. The Illinois hotline is open 24/7 and can connect survivors with safety support, shelter referrals, legal advocacy, and local services. Language help is available.
If you are outside Illinois or want national help, contact the National hotline at 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat. Internet and phone use can be monitored. Use a safer device if you can.
For a mental health, suicide, or substance-use crisis, call or text 988. The 988 Illinois page explains crisis support and chat options.
Bottom line
Illinois has real help for domestic violence survivors, but you may need more than one door. Start with the statewide hotline for safety and shelter referrals. Then ask about court protection, housing rights, legal aid, benefits, child care, health care, work leave, and school safety.
This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice, safety advice, medical advice, or a promise that any program will approve you. Domestic violence situations can change fast. A trained advocate or attorney can help you think through choices in a safer way.
For broader next steps, use ASMOM’s DV help hub, the Illinois help page, and the legal help hub.
Quick contact table
| Need | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Emergency response for you and your children. |
| Domestic violence help | IDHS services | Shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, children’s services, and safety support. |
| Find a local advocate | ICADV help | A local domestic violence program by county or service area. |
| Food, shelter, bills | 211 Illinois | Local food, housing, utility, diaper, transportation, and nonprofit resources. |
| Protection order forms | court forms | Statewide Order of Protection forms Illinois courts accept. |
| Court navigation | Court Help | Free court information by phone or text during posted hours. |
| Crime-related costs | victim compensation | Ask about reimbursement for eligible costs after a violent crime. |
| Child abuse concern | DCFS hotline | Call 800-25-ABUSE or 800-252-2873 if a child may be harmed. |
Where to start if you are overwhelmed
You do not have to handle every problem at once. Choose the next safest step. If you are not sure what is safe, start with the Illinois hotline or a local domestic violence advocate.
If you need a safe place
Call or text 877-863-6338 and say you have children and need shelter or emergency housing. Ask if the advocate can check nearby counties if local programs are full.
If you need court help
Ask a local advocate or legal aid office about an Order of Protection. The Easy Form can help prepare papers, but it does not file them for you.
If you need food or care
Use the ABE portal to apply for SNAP, cash assistance, and health coverage. Ask about emergency SNAP if food is urgent.
If you need papers
Use ASMOM’s documents checklist to organize what you can gather safely. Do not risk harm to get paperwork.
Domestic violence advocates in Illinois
Illinois domestic violence programs can provide free and private services. The state says services can include a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, temporary food and housing, and other support. You do not have to leave your home or the person harming you before asking for help.
An advocate may help you think about safer contact, shelter, transportation, court paperwork, children, benefits, and local referrals. They cannot promise shelter, money, court results, or a safe outcome, but they can help you understand choices.
What to say first
“I am in Illinois. I have children. I need help thinking through safety, shelter, court protection, and benefits. It may not be safe to leave messages. What is the safest way to stay in contact?”
Orders of Protection in Illinois
An Illinois Order of Protection is a court order for domestic abuse involving a family or household relationship, spouse, former spouse, dating partner, person you share a child with, or certain other relationships. The Attorney General says you can seek one through a domestic violence program, an attorney, a divorce case, a criminal case, or your local circuit court clerk.
Use the official Illinois Courts packet for forms. If you are in Cook County, the Cook County court page points people to Order of Protection help and the Illinois hotline. Local steps can vary, so ask the clerk or advocate how filing works in your county.
| Question | Careful answer | Where to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Do I need a police report? | Not always. Ask an advocate or legal aid what proof may help in your case. | Advocate or legal aid |
| Can it cover children? | A judge may address children, contact, school, home, or parenting issues depending on the facts. | Court clerk or lawyer |
| Can firearms be addressed? | Some orders can include firearm terms. Ask how to raise this safely. | Advocate or lawyer |
| Can my address be private? | Ask before filing how to keep sensitive contact details out of public papers when possible. | Court clerk |
If you are not sure which protective order fits, Illinois Legal Aid Online has a protection FAQ that covers Order of Protection questions in plain language.
Housing safety: shelter, locks, leases, and vouchers
If you need shelter, the Illinois hotline is usually the first call. Beds may be limited. Ask whether the advocate can check nearby counties, hotel options, transportation help, or another safe contact method.
If you rent from a private landlord, the Illinois Safe Homes Act may help some survivors change locks or end a lease early when domestic or sexual violence creates a safety issue. The Illinois Department of Human Rights has a Safe Homes FAQ that explains written notice and proof for lock-change rights. Ask legal aid or an advocate before taking action if you can.
Illinois Legal Aid Online also has a housing rights guide for Safe Homes Act and VAWA issues. If you live in public housing, Housing Choice Voucher housing, project-based Section 8, or another covered housing program, HUD VAWA rights may help with eviction, denial, confidentiality, or emergency transfer issues.
For broad rental, shelter, and voucher help, use ASMOM’s Illinois housing help guide. Housing programs often have waitlists, local rules, and limited funds, so keep calling more than one place when it is safe.
Food, cash, health coverage, and bill help
Leaving abuse can mean losing access to money, documents, transportation, medicine, child care, or your phone. Apply for help as soon as it is safe. If you already applied before leaving, update your household and safe contact information when you can.
| Program | What it may help with | Illinois starting point |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Food benefits on an EBT card. Expedited SNAP may be ready in 5 days or less for eligible households. | emergency SNAP |
| TANF | Cash assistance for some families with children or pregnant people. Domestic or sexual violence can affect some TANF rules. | family violence |
| Medicaid | Health coverage for eligible adults, children, and pregnant or postpartum people. | Apply through ABE |
| CCAP | Child care help for eligible families while working, in school, or in approved activities. | CCAP page |
| Crime victim help | Possible reimbursement for eligible crime-related costs. It is not immediate cash. | Attorney General |
The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program can reimburse up to $45,000 for eligible expenses from crimes on or after August 7, 2022. It may include costs such as medical care, counseling, lost earnings, relocation, or locks, but eligibility and proof rules apply.
For more detail by benefit type, use ASMOM’s Illinois SNAP, Illinois TANF, Illinois health care, and Illinois utilities guides.
Work, leave, and keeping income
Illinois workers may have rights when domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or another crime of violence affects work. The Illinois Department of Labor VESSA page says the law bars discrimination against covered workers and can allow job-protected unpaid leave for certain needs.
VESSA can involve medical help, legal help, counseling, relocation, safety planning, court, or related needs. Employer size and other rules can matter. If you are worried about being fired, losing hours, or explaining court dates, talk with a domestic violence advocate or legal aid office before giving details to your employer.
If you need safer child care or school support while working, ASMOM’s Illinois child care guide can help you find the CCAP starting point and child care resource agencies.
Children, school, and child safety
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect child abuse or neglect by a parent, caregiver, or person in a position of trust, DCFS lists the 24-hour Illinois Child Abuse Hotline as 800-25-ABUSE or 800-252-2873.
If abuse affects school pickup, contact, records, bus stops, or safety at school, ask your advocate or attorney what paperwork the school should receive. Do not rely only on a verbal request if a court order says something different. Keep a copy of current orders in a safer place if you can.
If sexual assault is part of the situation, ICASA centers can help you find a rape crisis center in Illinois. For related supports, ASMOM has guides for transportation help, phone/internet help, and baby gear help.
Documents and information to gather, if safe
Do not risk your safety to collect paperwork. If you cannot safely get a document, tell the advocate, caseworker, court clerk, or attorney. Many offices can tell you what else they can accept.
| Type | Helpful examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Photo ID, birth certificates, Social Security numbers, immigration papers if used for a program | Benefits, school, housing, and court forms. |
| Children | School records, medical cards, custody orders, daycare details | School pickup, enrollment, benefits, and child care. |
| Housing | Lease, voucher papers, rent receipts, landlord contact | Safe Homes Act, VAWA transfer, shelter, or rental help. |
| Income | Pay stubs, benefit letters, bank records, unemployment notices | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, CCAP, and rent help. |
| Abuse records | Police reports, court orders, medical records, photos, messages, advocate letters | Court, housing rights, work leave, or compensation claims. |
If help is denied, delayed, or closed
Many survivors face delays, missing-paper notices, full shelters, closed waitlists, or benefit problems. A denial does not always mean the case is over.
- Read the notice. Look for the reason, deadline, appeal rights, phone number, and missing proof.
- Ask for safe contact. Tell the agency if mail, calls, or online notices could put you at risk.
- Appeal on time. Use the deadline on the notice. Do not rely on a general deadline from another program.
- Keep proof. Save screenshots, upload receipts, fax confirmations, and copies of forms if safe.
- Ask for help early. Call an advocate, legal aid, 211, or the court help line before a deadline is close.
ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize appeal questions and call notes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for perfect proof. Ask an advocate what you can use now.
- Assuming shelter is only local. Ask the hotline to check nearby counties when your area is full.
- Changing locks without advice. Safe Homes Act steps can be specific. Ask legal aid or an advocate.
- Using unsafe devices. Phones, browsers, shared accounts, cars, and apps can leave records.
- Missing benefit interviews. If you apply for SNAP or TANF, watch for calls and letters only when safe.
If the first place cannot help
If a shelter is full, ask about nearby counties, transportation, hotel support, and another safe call-back method. If legal aid cannot take your case, ask the domestic violence program about courthouse advocates, another legal aid office, or a brief advice option.
If benefits are slow, ask whether your case can be screened for urgent food, homelessness, domestic violence, or no-income rules. If you need several types of support at once, ASMOM’s Community Action guide can help you know what to ask from local agencies.
Phone scripts you can use
Domestic violence hotline
“I am in Illinois and I have children. I need help with safety, shelter, and legal options. It may not be safe to leave messages. What is the safest way to talk?”
Court clerk or court help
“I need to ask for an Order of Protection. Where do I file, and how can I keep my address or phone number private in the court papers?”
Housing provider
“I am a survivor of domestic violence and I need to ask about VAWA protections, a lock change, or an emergency transfer. What form or contact person should I use?”
Benefits office
“I left a domestic violence situation with my children. I need SNAP, cash, medical, and child care help. Can you explain urgent options and what proof I can provide later?”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda por violencia doméstica en Illinois, llame o mande texto al 877-863-6338. La lÃnea puede ayudar con refugio, seguridad, consejerÃa, ayuda legal y recursos locales.
También puede pedir una orden de protección en la corte, solicitar ayuda de comida por SNAP, ayuda en efectivo por TANF, cobertura médica y ayuda con cuidado infantil. Si no puede conseguir documentos de forma segura, dÃgalo al trabajador, defensor o abogado.
FAQ
What is the main domestic violence hotline in Illinois?
The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is 877-863-6338. You can call or text. It is available 24/7 and can connect you with shelter referrals, advocacy, legal referrals, and local domestic violence services.
Do I have to leave my home to get help?
No. Illinois domestic violence services can help you talk through options even if you are not ready or able to leave. An advocate can help you think about safer next steps.
Where do I get Illinois Order of Protection forms?
Use the official Illinois Courts Order of Protection forms or Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Easy Form. A domestic violence advocate or legal aid office may also help you prepare paperwork.
Can domestic violence affect housing rights?
Yes. The Illinois Safe Homes Act may help some renters with lock changes or lease termination. VAWA may help survivors in many federally covered housing programs. Ask an advocate or legal aid before taking action.
Can I get SNAP or TANF after leaving abuse?
You can apply through Illinois ABE. Eligibility depends on your household, income, and other rules. Ask about emergency SNAP if you need food quickly and about domestic violence-related TANF rules if safety affects program requirements.
What if my child is being abused or is in danger?
Call 911 for immediate danger. For suspected child abuse or neglect in Illinois, DCFS lists the 24-hour hotline as 800-25-ABUSE or 800-252-2873.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 18, 2026, next review September 18, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.