Hey friend. If storms in 2023 or 2024 left you struggling with housing or utility costs, Chicago has a new program that may be able to help. It’s called the Disaster Relief Assistance Program, or DRAP, and eligible households can receive up to $15,000 in one-time financial assistance.
The program launched on September 9, 2026, and applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Let’s walk through who qualifies, what expenses may be covered, and how to apply.
What is Chicago’s DRAP?
The Disaster Relief Assistance Program is a $15 million City of Chicago program funded through federal disaster recovery dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
It was created for Chicago residents who experienced documented financial hardship because of severe storms that hit the city during three specific periods:
- June 29–July 2, 2023
- September 17–18, 2023
- July 13–16, 2024
Eligible households may receive up to $15,000 in assistance for documented expenses such as rent or mortgage payments and utility bills.
This assistance is intended to address storm-related financial needs that haven’t already been fully covered by FEMA, insurance, or other assistance. Receiving help from another source doesn’t automatically disqualify you if you can still demonstrate an unmet need.
Do I qualify?
According to current program information, you’ll generally need to:
- Be a current Chicago resident
- Have lived in Chicago during at least one of the qualifying 2023 or 2024 storms
- Have experienced documented financial hardship connected to the qualifying storm damage
- Meet the program’s household income requirements
- Have remaining unmet needs that weren’t fully covered by FEMA, insurance, or other assistance
- Provide documentation supporting your hardship and eligible expenses
The program is intended for low- and moderate-income households. Current reporting on the program identifies the income limit as 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
Income limits depend on household size, so make sure you check the current limit that applies to your household before applying. If you’re unfamiliar with AMI, our Area Median Income guide can help explain how these limits work.
Some applicants receive weighted consideration
DRAP is available citywide to eligible Chicago residents, but the selection process gives additional weight to certain applicants.
The City identified five ZIP codes as areas that were disproportionately affected by the qualifying storms:
- 60644
- 60651
- 60639
- 60641
- 60624
Applicants from these ZIP codes receive weighted consideration.
The program also gives weighted consideration to:
- Renters
- Seniors age 60 and older
That doesn’t mean you have to live in one of those ZIP codes, rent your home, or be a senior to apply. Eligible residents throughout Chicago can apply. These factors are simply part of how the program targets assistance toward households and communities identified as particularly impacted or vulnerable.
What documents should I prepare?
The City requires applicants to document their eligibility and storm-related financial hardship.
Before you begin, be prepared to provide documentation related to:
- Your identity
- Your current Chicago residency
- Your residency during the qualifying storm
- Your household income
- The financial hardship caused by the storm
- Eligible rent, mortgage, or utility expenses
- Assistance you’ve already received from FEMA, insurance, or other sources, if applicable
Exactly what you’ll need can depend on your situation, so follow the documentation instructions in the application portal carefully.
Having your paperwork ready before you start may make the process easier.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online.
Here’s where to start:
- Go to the City of Chicago’s official DRAP page.
- Follow the link to the official DRAP application portal.
- Complete the application and provide the requested information about your household, income, residency, and storm-related hardship.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
- Review everything carefully before submitting your application.
- Save any application confirmation or reference information you receive.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there isn’t currently one traditional deadline everyone has to meet.
How much can I receive?
Eligible households may receive a one-time payment of up to $15,000.
The $15,000 is a maximum, not a guaranteed payment for every applicant.
DRAP is designed to reimburse documented storm-related expenses such as:
- Rent
- Mortgage payments
- Utility payments
Your assistance will depend on your documented eligible expenses, remaining unmet need, and the program’s review of your application.
If FEMA, insurance, or another program already covered part of your losses, you may still qualify for DRAP if you can demonstrate that you have eligible needs that remain uncovered.
What if FEMA or insurance already helped me?
Don’t assume that automatically makes you ineligible.
The City specifically says households that already received assistance through FEMA, other agencies, or insurance may still qualify if they can demonstrate remaining unmet household needs.
That’s important because DRAP was created in part to address financial gaps that remained after other disaster assistance and insurance payments.
Be prepared to document both the assistance you already received and the expenses or needs that remain.
Is this still open right now?
Yes. Chicago launched the DRAP application portal on September 9, 2026, and applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.
There is no fixed closing date currently announced.
Because the entire program has $15 million available, however, funding is limited.
It’s also important to understand that this isn’t simply a first-come, first-served program. The City’s selection process includes weighted consideration for residents in the five heavily impacted ZIP codes, renters, and seniors age 60 and older.
So while there’s no reason to delay if you’re eligible, applying first doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be selected first.
Is there free help available?
If you’re having trouble navigating the application, don’t pay someone who promises to get you approved.
Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services operates Community Service Centers, and the City has also worked with community partners to provide outreach and application assistance for DRAP.
Always start with the official City information at chicago.gov/drap rather than an unsolicited text, social media message, or unofficial application link.
Relief Recap
Chicago’s Disaster Relief Assistance Program may provide up to $15,000 to eligible residents who experienced financial hardship connected to qualifying storms in 2023 or 2024.
The qualifying storms occurred June 29–July 2, 2023; September 17–18, 2023; and July 13–16, 2024.
Eligible residents throughout Chicago can apply, but the program gives weighted consideration to renters, seniors age 60 and older, and applicants living in ZIP codes 60644, 60651, 60639, 60641, and 60624.
Applications opened September 9, 2026 and are being accepted on a rolling basis. If you still have documented storm-related housing or utility expenses that weren’t fully covered by FEMA, insurance, or other assistance, check the official Chicago DRAP page to see if you qualify.
