Senior Services

The Human Services Division promotes and enhances the independence of at-risk youth, seniors, disadvantaged residents and residents with a disability in the Skokie community through activities, information and referral, programs, counseling, education and coordination of community social services.

TeenLink
The Village of Skokie's TeenLink program unites residents who are in a need of outside seasonal yard work with teens who are available for hire to do the work.  This program is only available to Skokie residents.

The TeenLink program is a compilation of contact information of Skokie teens available to do seasonal yard work.  This list includes the name and address of the teen, days available, type of work they are willing to do and their expected rate of pay.  Residents can receive the list by mail or email.  The resident is responsible for contacting the teen and for making financial and scheduling arrangements.

If you would like the TeenLink contact list please call the Village Manager's Office at 847/933-8257.  Skokie teens may also complete  a TeenLink Program application to be added to the TeenLink program list.

Carrier Watch 
Seniors and persons with disabilities can sign up for this program that authorizes postal carriers to notify the Human Services Division if a resident's mail has not been removed from their mail box in two days.  The Human Services Division then calls the person or their designated emergency contact to see if there is need for concern.

If you would like more information or wish to register for the program, please call the Human Services Division at 847/933-8208.  When registered, a staff member will take your name, address and emergency contact information over the phone and then contact the post office to place a Carrier Watch sticker on the mailbox.  To fill out an application, please click here.  This program is free-of-charge.

Pharmaceutical Assistance
Applications for the Circuit Breaker and Illinois Cares Rx program are available online.  Illinois Cares Rx will help pay prescription costs that Medicare does not.  In addition, Circuit Breaker provides a tax grant, license plate discount and a free transit pass.  The income guidelines for the 2009 application are $27,610 for a household of one; $36,635 for a two-person household.  The deadline to apply is December 31, 2010; however, completing the application well before that date assures receiving full benefits.

Please call Human Services at 847/933-8208 for an appointment if you would like assistance with the application.  You can also visit the Illinois Department on Aging website for program details and how to apply.

Federal Income Tax Aid
Federal Income Tax help is provided free-of-charge beginning in early February through the middle of April to low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities.  Through the coordinated efforts of the Human Services Division and AARP, volunteer tax aides assist individuals with the preparation of simple tax forms.  Volunteer tax aides prepare returns for U.S. Citizens with personal or basic income only (dividends, interest, pensions, sale of residence).  Call the Human Services Division at 847/933-8208 during mid-January to find out if you are eligible and/or to schedule an appointment.

Home Delivered Meals
Participants in the Home Delivered Meals Program receive one hot meal daily, Monday through Friday. Meals are delivered between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The meals are delivered by a caring and committed corps of volunteers.

To be eligible for the Program the applicant must be:

  • A Skokie resident
  • Homebound
  • Physically or mentally unable to prepare hot meals

 The Program ensures a nutritionally balanced meal five days a week. The cost of the meal is $4.75 per day. There is a limited subsidy available, on a case-by-case basis. Please call 847/933-8208 and speak to Terri Williams, Home Delivered Meals Coordinator for further information about the meals program.

Lending Closet
The Lending Closet offers Skokie residents the use of canes, walkers, crutches and wheelchairs for periods up to six months. A lightweight travel wheelchair may be borrowed for 24 hours or through a weekend for a $25 deposit that is refunded upon the wheelchair’s return in good condition. A standard folding wheelchair may be borrowed for up to five working days for a $25 deposit that is refunded upon its return in good condition. Standard folding wheelchairs may also be borrowed up to six months for a $25 fee that is NOT refunded. At the end of the six-month period, the wheelchair must be returned to the Smith Activities Center in good condition. A driver’s license with a Skokie address is required for wheelchair loans. Only one six-month wheelchair loan is permitted per household per year. Please call 847/933-8208 for further information.

SHIP/Medical Claims - Insurance Analysis
SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) is assistance provided by a volunteer advisor who can help seniors understand their Medicare supplemental and/or long-term care insurance policies.  The volunteer can help with billing problems and also help to file an appeal on Medicare claims.  To make an appointment call the Human Services Division at 847/933-8208.

Simple Wills 
Simple Wills, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills are provided for a small charge with the attorneys.  The individual must be over age 60, reside in suburban Cook County and have an annual income of LESS THAN $15,000 ($20,000 for a couple) and assets, excluding home and car, of $30,000 or less.  We require that six individual appointments be scheduled at our office before an attorney will come to the Smith Center.  Please call 847/933-8208 if you would like to be included on our waiting list to schedule a future appointment with an attorney.

Social Work Services
The Social Work staff provides information and referrals for such needs as:

  • Community Resources
  • Employment Resources
  • Help in Home Providers
  • Housing Resources
  • Financial Assistance Providers and Availability
  • Legal Assistance Resources
  • Retirement/Nursing Home Resources

The social workers provide advocacy and short-term counseling for personal difficulties, family problems and other life issues. Long-term counseling needs are referred to outside agencies. The social workers will make a home visit if requested.

Please call 847/933-8208 for further information.