Dove Financial Assistance
What is Dove Financial Assistance?
DFA is a joint effort of area religious organizations to give monetary support to persons who have emergency financial needs. DFA provides a systematic way to verify needs and provides a central location for persons seeking emergency financial assistance for water, power, eye prescription, dental through MCHD and some prescription meds.
DFA also works with Energy Assistance Foundation’s to distribute the funding through the "Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends Program," which assists persons with payment of their summer and winter power bills, in Macon, DeWitt and Piatt Counties.
Thousands of families in have been helped through this program since 1984.
Filling out an application is the first step. The Coordinator will let those who cannot be helped know immediately at the appointment time or via a letter should it take longer to determine. Checks to vendors or landlords will be issued when a request is approved. The Coordinator also works with other service providers, making referrals and sharing other agency services with applicants.
A few guidelines to remember:
- DFA can only grant up to $300 per application for the following: water, power, eye prescription, dental through MCHD and some prescription meds.
- A person can be helped more than once. However, 365 days must pass before he or she may be granted assistance again.
- This program relies on donations from religious organizations and individuals. When funds are depleted, no applications can be filled until money is available again.
- DFA can also receive requests for assistance through: email: DFA@doveinc.org phone: 217.619.9108
- Potential clients can fill out application, scan their bills, ID's and receipts and share via email. Responses will be sent via email or by phone. Responses could take up to 36 business hours for items to be reviewed. Checks or vouchers will continue to be sent directly to vender.
DFA Locations and Hours
*If there is inclement weather, please contact 217.433.7435 to check on in-person office hours
Macon County Sites:
Decatur Public Library, 130 N. Franklin, Decatur - Mondays, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Homeward Bound Offices, 788 E. Clay, Decatur - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
April 4 - hours will be 9:00-11:00 a.m. ONLY
May 2 - hours will be 9:00-11:00 a.m. ONLY
May 29 – Dove Closed
DFA@doveinc.org or 217.619.9108
DeWitt County Site:
Dove DeWitt County Office, 803 W. Leander, Clinton
March 22 – 9:00-11:00 a.m.
April 13, April 27 – 9:00-11:00 a.m.
May 11, May 25 – 9:00-11:00 a.m.
DFA@doveinc.org or 217.433.7435
Shelby County Site:
HOST SITE: Salvation Army Building, 133 E Main St, Shelbyville
April 6, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
April 20, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
May 4, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
May 18, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
DFA@doveinc.org or 217.433.7435
Moultrie County Site:
HOST SITE: United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson Street, Sullivan
April 5, April 19, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
May 3, May 17, May 31, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
DFA@doveinc.org or 217.433.7435
Piatt County Site:
HOST SITE: First Presbyterian Church, 214 S. Charter Street, Monticello
March 22, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
April 12, April 26, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
May 10, May 24, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
DFA@doveinc.org or 217.433.7435
How can you help?
Donations to the program are always needed and welcomed. Please send your donation to:
DFA
Dove, Inc.
302 S. Union, Decatur, IL 62522
If you would like more information about the program or would like a speaker about the program, please contact the program at 217.619.9108 or by e-mail at DFA@doveinc.org.
DFA serves as the Warm Neighbor Cool Friends Site
for Macon, Piatt and DeWitt Counties
- Applicant can receive WNCF assistance only once per heating season, which is 9/1 to 5/31 each year and once per cooling season, 6/1 to 8/31.
- WNCF matches customer payments (within the last 45 days) up to $500 during heating season and up to $200 during cooling season
- Heating grants are based solely on income guide-lines while cooling grants are intended for seniors, disabled or those with medical conditions exacerbated by heat (with a doctor's letter)
- WNCF pledge may create a credit balance
Programs require:
- Driver's License or other Photo I.D. and Copy of current Ameren Illinois utility bill
- Applicant must reside at the address on the bill and have active service in his or her name
- Income eligibility, see guidelines in the box