All colleges and universities in Illinois have a benefits navigator to assist in identifying campus, community, state and federal resources and benefit programs for which they might be eligible. LLCC students can work with Claire Heffron-McKinney, MA, LPC, CDVP, LLCC benefits navigator, to identify important resources both on campus and in the community.
Appointments
Benefits navigator services are offered in-person, virtually via Teams or Zoom, or by phone. Please call 217-786-2591, text 217-292-2088 or email Claire to book an appointment. During the holiday break, when Claire is out of the office, please still fill out the referral form, and she'll respond upon returning to the office on Jan. 6, 2025 anytime after 8 a.m.
If you need immediate assistance, please call 211 to be connected to community resource information. If you are in immediate need of mental health services, please call 988. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
LLCC resources
Claire can assist with referrals to campus resources:
- LLCC Food Pantry
- Community housing referral information
- Undocumented student support
- Talkspace tele-mental health
- Accessibility services
- LLCC Child Development Center
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
- Referrals to LLCC Title IX coordinator, support for domestic violence, stalking, sexual violence support and resource information
Community resources
Claire can assist with referrals to community resources:
- Food pantries
- Housing agencies
- Childcare agencies and programs
- LLCC Child Development Center
- Laundry assistance
- Legal Aid
- Utility assistance and support
- Clothing referral information
- Transportation information
- Health care and health insurance information
- Domestic violence resource information
- Sexual assault resource information
- SMART (Sangamon/Menard Area Regional Transit)
- Mental health and wellness referral information
- Intricate Minds: community resources and support groups
- 211
- Services for seniors
State and federal benefits
Claire can explain how to apply for and provide referrals for state and federal benefits:
- Community Child Care Connection
- Housing choice vouchers (Section 8)
- SNAP
- WIC
- ACA Insurance
- Healthcare and family services
- Post-secondary education services for youth in care. If you are a student exiting DCFS/youth in care, you might be eligible for educational funding. For more information, visit the Illinois DCFS website.
- Unemployment