Meals Delivered to Your Door — and Additional Services for Staying Independent at Home

Getting started with home-delivered meals from Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois begins with a friendly home visit. It’s free, easy, and opens the door to a network of local programs designed to help you or your loved one live safely, comfortably, and confidently at home.

More Than Just Meals

Why do we conduct a home visit?

While our primary mission is to deliver nutritious meals directly to your door, the required home assessment is designed to do so much more. Think of it as a free, personalized consultation with a local senior care specialist.

During the home visit, your certified Care Coordinator will confirm your meal preferences and help identify any additional resources that could make daily life easier and safer—saving you and your family hours of research and phone calls.

How It Works

Step 1: Get in Touch
Call your local county Care Coordination Unit (CCU) agency listed below to schedule a time for a certified Care Coordinator to visit you at your home.

Step 2: A Friendly Visit
Your Care Coordinator visits you in the comfort of your home. They will confirm your meal plan and ask questions to understand your goals and daily routines.

Step 3: Enjoy Meals & Unlock Support
Once the assessment is complete and we have received your information, our staff will confirm your meal start date with you. Plus, your Care Coordinator will help connect you with any additional community services—completely optional, with zero pressure.

What Your Assessment Unlocks

Your required assessment acts as a key to a wide range of state and local programs funded to keep older adults thriving independently:

Support Area	Services & Benefits Available
Senior Nutrition Services	Direct enrollment in MOWFNI nutrition options, including Home-Delivered Meals with wellness checks, vibrant Community Cafés for social dining, and Dine Around Town restaurant partnerships—all tailored to meet federal dietary guidelines at no cost (voluntary donation only).
Benefits Access & Advocacy	Expert help applying for cost-saving programs like SNAP (food stamps), LIHEAP (utility & energy assistance), property tax relief, and Benefit Access license plate sticker discounts.
In-Home Support Services	Coordination for non-medical assistance with "Activities of Daily Living," including personal care, light housekeeping, laundry, and grocery shopping through the Community Care Program (CCP).
Caregiver Resource Center	Access to vital respite care (giving family caregivers a much-needed break), caregiver support groups, education, and programs like Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
Safety & Abuse Protection	Specialized support through Adult Protective Services (APS) to investigate, prevent, and protect older adults from physical, emotional, or financial exploitation and neglect.
Health Insurance Counseling (SHIP)	Free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling to navigate Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans, and supplemental insurance options.
Emergency Response & Monitoring	Assessment and setup for Emergency Home Response Systems (EHRS alert buttons) and automated medication dispensers to ensure safety when living alone.
Housing Assistance & Repairs	Guidance on local senior housing options, supportive living facilities, emergency home repair programs, and accessibility modifications.
Legal & Financial Referrals	Direct connections to vetted community partners for assistance with powers of attorney, wills, estate planning, and financial management.
Social & Emotional Wellness	Referrals to Memory Cafés, technology classes (TechWise), friendly visiting programs, telephone reassurance calls, and community social events to combat isolation.

To explore a full list of state-funded programs and eligibility guidelines, visit the Illinois Department on Aging Programs Page or discuss your options with your Care Coordinator during your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the home assessment really required to get meals?

A: Yes, state guidelines require a home assessment to confirm eligibility for home-delivered meals. However, most clients find it to be a wonderful experience because it connects them to cost-saving benefits and home support they didn't know existed.

Q: Is there an income limit for home-delivered meals?

A: No, there are no income requirements to qualify for home-delivered meals. Please note that while meal deliveries and care assessments are free, other broader supportive programs offered in Illinois may require an assessed functional need, have personal asset limits, or require Medicaid enrollment. You can check the [Illinois Department on Aging website][this link] to learn about specific program qualifications or ask your Care Coordinator during your home visit.

Q: Am I forced to sign up for other services during the assessment?

A: Never. The assessment is 100% free, confidential, and pressure-free. You retain total control and choose only the programs or services you qualify for.

Local Care Coordination Unit (CCU) Provider Directory

Home assessments and care coordination services are delivered through trusted local Care Coordination Units (CCUs) across our Illinois service area. Find your local agency below:

County / Region	CCU Agency Partner	Contact Information	Communities Covered
Will County	Will County Seniors	Phone: (815) 723-9713 / (815) 240-3050 Website: willcountyseniors.org	All of Will County (Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Lockport, Frankfort, Naperville-Will, etc.)
Kendall County	Senior Services Associates (Yorkville)	Phone: (630) 553-5777 Website: seniorservicesassoc.org	All of Kendall County (Yorkville, Oswego, Plano, Sandwich, Bristol, Montgomery)
Grundy County	Grundy County Health Dept. Senior Programs	Phone: (815) 941-3121 / (815) 941-3404 Website: grundycountyil.gov	All of Grundy County (Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Gardner, South Wilmington)
Cook County (West Suburbs)	Aging Care Connections	Phone: (708) 354-1323 Website: agingcareconnections.org	38 communities across Lyons, Proviso, Riverside, Norwood Park, and Leyden Townships (La Grange, Countryside, Western Springs, etc.)
Cook & Lake Counties	Catholic Charities Senior Care	Phone: (312) 655-7700 Website: catholiccharities.net	Regions across Cook County and Lake County (In-home care coordination & senior drop-in centers)
Cook County (North Suburbs)	North Shore Senior Center (NSSC)	Phone: (847) 784-6000 / (847) 242-6270 Website: nssc.org	North Suburban Cook County (Northfield, Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, Wilmette, Northbrook, Niles)
Cook County (South/Southwest)	Pathlights	Phone: (708) 361-0219 Website: pathlights.org	South and Southwest Suburbs of Cook County (Palos Heights, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Matteson, Tinley Park, Worth)
Cook County (Near West/Proviso)	Solutions for Care	Phone: (708) 447-2448 Website: solutionsforcare.org	Berwyn, Cicero, and Proviso Township (Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, Westchester)

Meals Delivered to Your Door — and Additional Services for Staying Independent at Home