Ezra Multi-Service Center

Ezra Multi-Service Center is located in Uptown and is a Jewish-affiliated organization that serves both Jews and non-Jews.

They have social workers that do case management, an extremely limited food pantry, a tiny amount of free clothes, a jobs program, and the Uptown Cafe (free lunches and dinners). They also have a Tenant Support Project, Job Readiness Training through Jewish Vocational Services (JVS, another Jewish-affiliated group that serves people regardless of religion), a Russian Senior Center, Chevrah Community Living Skills Groups, a Healthy Advantage Nutrition Program, Housing Locator, and EZRA Social Action Group.

They currently are out of rental and utility assistance funds for non-Jews. They appear to have separate funds for Jews, but this is extremely limited. You have to go through an intake for this.

You seem to need to go through an intake for all services, separately. For whatever reason, the Uptown Cafe meals are a separate intake from the intake for rental assistance, even though both will ask about your financial status.

Ezra doesn’t have a website. They close early on Fridays for Shabbat.

Ezra
909 West Wilson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
773-275-0866

If you have any experience with EZRA, please leave a comment.

The Ark: Services for Uninsured and Low-Income Jews

All Services Are Free

The Ark

Homepage

6450 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60645
773.973.1000
Fax: 773.973.4362
ark@arkchicago.org

The Ark has regular business hours, is open later on Wednesdays for dinner and medical services, and closes at 2pm on Fridays. It is closed Saturday, Sunday, and during Jewish holidays.

Getting There

Bus: 155 Devon bus to California or 93 California bus to Devon
El stop: None nearby
Parking: Has its own free parking lot and some street parking. Please read signs carefully.

Social Services

Medical Doctors
– Primary care, psychiatrist, dental, and some other specialists
– On-site pharmacy that dispenses free prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications
– People with health insurance are ineligible for these services

Psychological Services
– Individual and couples therapy with licensed social workers
– Outpatient day program with therapy groups including art therapy
– People with health insurance may be ineligible for these services

Kosher Pantry
– Clients can use the pantry once a month at specific times

Kosher Meals
– Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday lunches
– Wednesday dinner at 5pm
– Can request vegetarian meals
– On certain holidays, meals are delivered to clients’ homes

Thrift Store
– Located in Wicker Park, accessible by the blue line, buses, with limited parking by other stores
– Depending on your eligibility, it is possible to get vouchers for the thrift store in order to get household items for free

Homeless Shelter
– The Ark also runs a homeless shelter

Becoming a Client

To become eligible for the above services, you go through an intake where they verify that you are Jewish, financially needy, and assess what services you need. They serve all types of Jews (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, etc) though they are associated with an Orthodox synagogue. The workers appear to follow a conservative dress code, though this is not true of the people who utilize their services.

Religious Services

The Ark also offers talks on Jewish issues, services, and some holiday celebrations. The Rabbi gives talks as part of the Tuesday and Thursday lunches and is often present during the day.

If you go to The Ark for services, please feel free to leave a comment about your experiences.

Getting Medicaid When You’re Disabled

Eligibility

In Illinois, once you are certified as disabled by the federal government, that is, you are receiving Social Security Disability payments, you become eligible for Medicare regardless of income or assets depending on when you were certified as disabled. There is no further application process and you receive your medical card in the mail. In order to find out when you can expect the card, it might be a good idea to call and ask the caseworker who handled your Social Security Disability case.

In addition, once you are certified as disabled you may become eligible for Medicaid if you meet additional income and assets guidelines. Medicaid will help cover the costs of the Medicare premiums and co-pays. In this case, Medicare will become your primary insurance and Medicaid will be your secondary insurance.

Applying for Medicaid

However, you don’t automatically get Medicaid; you have to apply for it first.

Working with DHS offices can be very time consuming and difficult. While applications can be done online or by mail, if you have the time, it is generally best to go in person. Otherwise, when you follow-up on your application, you may find that DHS has no record of it and thus has not considered your case. By waiting in line and submitting the application in person, you can at least be assured that it got there.

It should also be noted that the Wicker Park DHS office has a tendency to not return calls, so if you are seeking to follow-up on your case, it is best to go in-person. The same is true if you need to reschedule an appointment. For each visit to this location, plan to allot at least forty-five minutes if you need drop off something and at least two to three hours if you need to speak to someone unless you have an appointment.

Once You Have Medicaid

Your Medicaid card will come monthly in the mail. It is actually a large slip of paper and not business card-sized. Be sure to look out for each new card so as to make sure that your coverage has not been interrupted.

Questions I Would Greatly Appreciate Help With

1) Can you get Medicaid once you are receiving Social Security Disability payments or do you have to wait until you are enrolled in Medicare?

2) What conditions can people without children gain coverage for without having been first found disabled by Social Security?

3) What is the best way to get questions about Medicaid
answered? While it is often easy to talk to a live person when calling Medicare, it is more difficult to do this when calling Medicaid.

If you’ve applied to or are enrolled in Medicaid, please feel free to leave comments about your experiences.