What assistance is available through FRIENDS to those living with HIV/AIDS?

• Assistance with housing costs: Clients who meet the financial guidelines are eligible to receive monthly assistance with the cost of housing.
• Utility assistance:  Assistance with the cost of utilities is available to those clients who meet the financial guidelines.
• Mileage reimbursement:  Clients may be eligible for mileage reimbursement for traveling to medical appointments and medical services.  Travel for mental health services may also be reimbursable.
• Emergency financial assistance:  When a valid financial emergency exists, FRIENDS will provide financial assistance in accordance with existing guidelines and the availability of funds.
• Hospital visitation:  When a client is hospitalized, a FRIENDS volunteer will visit and offer emotional support.  The frequency of the hospital visits depends on the client's wishes.
• Help:  On the occasion that a client is unable to keep up with the day-to-day chores around his/her home, FRIENDS will arrange for a volunteer to temporarily assist with such tasks as dishes, laundry and general cleaning.
• Rural Transportation Program:  These services are designed to provide subsidized emergency transportation for case managed clients to healthcare service appointments.  This program is a transportation of last resort.
• Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program: Rapid-Re-Housing is designed to serve those that are already homeless and need to be moved to a more permanent housing situation - Homeless Prevention is designed to proactively target resources toward persons most at risk of becoming homeless.

In order to qualify for any of these assistance programs, clients must be in registered care with the Heart of Illinois HIV/AIDS Center at the University of Illinois School of Medicine at Peoria.  All requests must be discussed with his/her case manager with requests being forwarded to the FRIENDS' office by case management staff.  Direct requests to FRIENDS for assistance are typically not handled.  As always, the client's confidentiality is respected.