POLICY CHANGE for Helping Hands IDs

Date: May 29, 2020

Date new policy will take effect: July 1, 2020

Effective July 1, 2020, Helping Hands will no longer provide “Helping Hands” personal identification cards. We are discontinuing this service because the ID is not a legal document, and the risk of misuse is significant.

Helping Hands will continue to provide Homeless Certification Forms for people who are experiencing homelessness and who have stayed in our emergency shelter for a minimum of three (3) consecutive nights. This form, with a Social Security card, will allow the person to get a free Illinois State ID.

Those who need assistance obtaining an ID also can use the Helping Hands walk-in case management services for information and guidance about how to obtain necessary documents (birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc.) necessary for a legal ID. The

Helping Hands lobby is closed indefinitely because that area of our building is being used for shelter purposes.

For questions about the services Helping Hands provides, call 217-522-0048.