General Assistance Criteria Effective as of 01/01/2026

An important function of township government is to provide General Assistance to residents who are going through a financial hardship. General Assistance is designed to be a safety net after all other resources have been exhausted. A client must meet the following criteria:

  • Reside in the Town of the City of Galesburg*
  • Qualify according to specific financial, income and asset guidelines
  • Not be eligible for or receiving other government welfare programs such as TANF, SSI, AABD, RRA
  • Not be currently under sanction from DHS (SNAP or TANF)
  • Not be eligible for Veterans' Assistance
  • Be unemployed and willing to search for a job OR
  • Be in the process of applying for disability benefits (must maintain an SSI application) AND have medical documentation

TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE, pick up an application at the Office of General Assistance, 121 W. Tompkins Street, Galesburg, IL during office hours: Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please call our office at 309-343-9059 to discuss your situation and eligibility criteria with a General Assistance representative.

Once a client's eligibility for General Assistance is confirmed, they have complied with all requirements and their case is approved, vouchers are available up to the grant amount to help pay for rent, food, utilities, clothing, personal items and/or household supplies. The application process from start to finish can take up to 30 days and continued eligibility must be redetermined every 30 days.

The General Assistance grant is a maximum of $456 per month.

*The Office of General Assistance for the Town of the City of Galesburg also provides the General Assistance case management services for the following other townships in Knox County: Cedar, Copley, Galesburg, Haw Creek, Henderson, Indian Point, Knox, Lynn, Maquon, Ontario, Orange, Persifer, Sparta, Truro, Victoria and Walnut Grove.

POINTS FOR APPLICANTS:

  • Must reside in the Town of the City of Galesburg or one of the townships we are contracted with.
  • You must fill out and bring back your application yourself, in person.
  • If eligible, we can provide a monthly grant to ages 18 & older WITHOUT DEPENDENT CHILDREN who reside with you. If you have children, and they don’t live with you, we will need to see custody papers.
  • NO CASH is given. This is a voucher system only. Things like rent (registered rentals in Galesburg), electric/gas/water (in your name), groceries, clothing/shoes, personal/household essentials, bus passes. Maximum grant is up to $456.00 per month.
  • Applicants must have little or no monthly income and not qualify for other assistance. You will need to bring a print-out of your bank activity for the last 30 days and a bank/ATM receipt showing the current balance in all your bank accounts – even if it's zero. This is required monthly.
  • ALL other potential assistance MUST be applied for FIRST. Proof of application to Unemployment, SSI/Disability, Social Security, TANF (for households with children), VA, LIHEAP, etc. will need to be provided.
  • If you receive only SNAP and/or LIHEAP, you may be eligible.
  • Income & assets must fall within GA guidelines. Our caseworker will go over all that with you during your first interview.
  • You must be able to work AND actively seek employment. Work search will be part of your monthly responsibilities.
  • If you are unable to work because of injury/illness, you may be required to file for SSI disability. You MUST have your doctor fax in our physician medical form with a diagnosis stating whether you can work.
  • You must be compliant with our requirements, attend all appointments and inform us of any changes in residence/employment/phone/income within 5 days of the change of circumstance.