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Required Documents for the IL Homeowner’s Assistance Fund Grant.

Before applying for the ILHAF program, please consult with a housing counselor to discuss options  and resources that might be available for you OR talk to your mortgage servicer about potential loss  mitigation options. If you have received a court summons or any other court papers, don’t wait.  Reach out to legal aid to get help right away. Visit www.illinoishousinghelp.org for a list of HUD-approved  housing counselors and a list of legal aids. 

Use this checklist to gather documents for your ILHAF Application:

Home Preservation Options - Requires at least one of the following documents: 

  • HUD-approved housing counseling certificate 
  • Loss mitigation determination or offer letter (for all mortgages requesting assistance) 
  • Form from a legal aid attorney 

Obtained from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, legal aid attorney, or your mortgage servicer. 

Forms of Identification - Requires one of the following documents: 

  • Government Issued Driver’s License or REAL ID
  • Matricula Consular or any Foreign Consulate ID 
  • Government Issued Photo ID Card U.S. or Foreign Passport 
  • U.S. Permanent Residency Resident Card 
  • Temporary Visitors Driver License
  • Chicago CityKey ID Card 

Household Income - Requires one of the following documents:

If your most recent tax return is available, please provide: 

  • Filed Tax Return (Form 1040) – Pages 1 and 2 

If your tax return is unavailable, the following are also acceptable: 

  • Most recent W-2 tax forms 
  • Most recent tax year 1099 forms 

If the above are unavailable, the following are also acceptable: 

  • Most recent paystub 
  • Government benefit award letter, statement or payment detail (ex. Social Security/Unemployment/etc.) 
  • Updated profit & loss statement (self-employed or contract work) 
  • Most recent bank statements showing income for past 2 months (please highlight all regular income)
  • Letter from employer stating annual income 

Proof of Residency - Requires one of the following documents and must be dated within 90 days:

  • Bank Statement
  • Credit Card/Debit Card Statement 
  • Benefit Award Letter (Social Security, Unemployment, etc.)
  • Cell Phone Bill 
  • Insurance Policy 
  • Letter from a public entity  (such as a school, city or unit of  a government) 

Proof of Ownership - Requires one of the following documents: 

  • 2021 Property Tax Bill
  • Screenshot from county website showing ownership
  • Property Deed 
  • Monthly Mortgage Statement  (dated within 30 days)  
  • Co-op Lease (Proprietary Lease) 
  • Heirship Documentation or Will with Death Certificate 

Past Due Payment - Requires one or more of the following documents based on the assistance requested:

  • Mortgage Statement 
  • Loan Statement 
  • Property Tax Statement (must include the property  identification number – PIN) 
  • Property Insurance Statement
  • Flood Insurance Statement
  • HOA/Condo/Co-Op Statement
  • Mobile Lot Statement 

All documents must be dated within 30 days, with the exception of the Property Tax Statement.  Your most recent Property Tax Statement will be acceptable.  

Documents are only required if requesting assistance for that specific expense (for example, applicants  requesting assistance for property taxes should submit a property tax statement). 

Documents must include the homeowner(s) name, property address and past due amount. Must also include payment remit instructions with the name and address of the person or company that is owed  the past due payment and any applicable loan, account, policy, or invoice number. 

Separate statements are not required for costs that are escrowed into the mortgage payment. 

Special Circumstances - Required only if you have received one or more of the following documents:

  • Sheriff’s Sale Notification
  • Notice of Default 
  • Tax Sale Notification 
  • Court Foreclosure Documents (for example, Judgement of Foreclosure) 
  • Forbearance Agreement 
  • Bankruptcy Approval or Discharge 

These documents will provide IHDA guidance on how much time is available to assist.

 Homeowners can visit https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/ilhaf to learn more.

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