Send us your contact information and what you need through our secure Request Assistance form and a VAC team member will follow up. Please do not enter your Social Security number online — we collect that in person.
Help beyond the VAC — energy assistance, food, legal aid, transportation, housing, and more. Many of these are run by partner organizations; we help connect you to the right one.
Energy & Utility Assistance
Ameren Illinois — Military Support Program — energy bill grants of up to $100 for qualified applicants. Ameren assistance programs →
LIHEAP — Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help paying heating and cooling costs for eligible households. Illinois LIHEAP →
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends — an energy-assistance foundation program for those who don't qualify for other aid.
Ameren — deposit & late-fee waivers for income-eligible residential customers. Ask Ameren about eligibility.
For propane, electric, gas, or water bills in a Veteran's name, you may also qualify for VAC voucher assistance — that one is a VAC program.
Food & SNAP
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) — apply through the State's ABE portal (Illinois Depts. of Healthcare & Family Services and Human Services). Apply at ABE →
IDHS — SNAP Federal Impact Center — guidance on recent SNAP work-requirement changes. Illinois DHS →
Food Connections — interactive maps and resources to find free food programs across Illinois.
Local food pantries — ask our office for the pantries nearest you in Macoupin County.
Legal Aid
Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (AFLAN) — free civil legal services for discharge upgrades, benefit appeals, and family, housing, and consumer matters. (855) 452-3526
Illinois Attorney General — Military & Veterans Rights Bureau — consumer and SCRA protections. Illinois AG →
Transportation to VA Appointments
DAV Van — John Cochran / VA St. Louis area — free rides for Veterans to all VA hospitals and clinics, Monday–Thursday only. Contact the DAV Volunteer Transportation Coordinator, Virgil Pitchford, at (314) 978-7677.
DAV Vans — Danville VA Medical Center (VA Illiana) — free rides for ambulatory Veterans. For Macoupin County, DAV vans coordinate through nearby points such as Springfield (Sangamon County VAC) and Decatur (Macon County VAC). To arrange a ride, call VA Illiana Voluntary Service at (217) 554-3000, or see the DAV van schedule →. We can help you set it up.
VA Travel Pay (beneficiary travel) — reimbursement for mileage to VA care. VA travel reimbursement →
Bus tokens or mileage may be available for Macoupin County Transit to get to and from scheduled VAC appointments — ask our office.
Housing & Homeless Assistance
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans — free, confidential, 24/7. 877-4AID-VET ((877) 424-3838)
SSVF — Supportive Services for Veteran Families — homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing for very low-income Veteran families. VA SSVF →
HUD-VASH — rental vouchers plus VA case management. HUD-VASH →
Illinois Joining Forces — statewide assistance and referrals. (833) 463-6453
Coordinated-entry and homeless-prevention services are administered locally; ask our office and we'll connect you to the nearest provider.
Health & Dental
Emergency Dental — SIU School of Dental Medicine (regional, Alton) — call (618) 474-7000 to arrange care.
VA Health Care — we can help you enroll and connect to VA Illiana, John Cochran (St. Louis), or the Springfield/Decatur/Peoria clinics. VA health care →
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) — Medicaid, cash, and support programs. IDHS →
Other Help
Clothing, furniture & school supplies — seasonal community programs; ask our office for current options.
Adult Protective Services — for concerns about abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an at-risk adult.
Indigent burial of Veterans and their families — the VAC may assist when VA and state benefits are exhausted. Burial benefits →
Flag disposal — bring unserviceable U.S. flags to our office for proper, dignified retirement.
Not sure where to turn? Start with us.
Tell us what you need and we'll point you to the right resource and help you make the connection — free.
Contact UsCall (217) 854-5249