The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has elected to participate in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) starting the Spring of 2022. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are elderly and/or disabled and their spouses and homeless households may use utilize their SNAP benefits to purchase meals at participating restaurants.
Your restaurant is eligible to apply to participate in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program if it is located in Dewitt County, Franklin County or Cook County with the following zip codes (60619, 60620, 60628 and 60617) AND meets certain criteria.
Illinois will gradually roll the program out in select areas in the state over a period of time.
In addition to the IDHS and the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Assistance Services (FNS) approval, restaurants must also meet all the following requirements:
Must abide by the rules and regulations of USDA regarding SNAP acceptance and redemption.
Be in and maintain compliance with all current federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and/or orders throughout the duration of participation in the program.
Must have sit-down seating available (unless prohibited by a public health order that would only allow delivery or takeout).
Provide low cost meals during regular business hours. Low cost meals are defined as meals that cost less than what would be charged to customers not using SNAP benefits to purchase food, or discounted meals already offered to certain customers, or advertised specials, or sale priced meals offered to all customers.
There are no fees/dues that a restaurant owner must pay for the Restaurant Meals Program. However, if you choose to sign up with the State's EBT vendor, you will be charged for the use of the Point-of-Sale (POS) device. To learn more, contact goEBT about the RMP: (www.goebt.com or 800-921-1271).
Note: If you choose to integrate EBT into your current commercial Point-of-Sale equipment, you will need to contact your vendor and ask about additional fees.
Yes, you can apply for all your restaurants to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program. Please complete a request to participate for each location. Only one MOU is required for two or more restaurants under the same ownership. Any subsequent additions will require modification to the MOU. If there are several restaurants listed under one MOU, all locations must be listed.
Each location will have to submit a separate application to become a SNAP Authorized Retailer.
The entire process to become authorized takes approximately 60 to 90 days. Review the authorization process.
The Illinois Department of Human Services will submit your completed application, approved MOU and all supporting documentation to FNS. You will be notified when your application has been approved,
The restaurant owner must notify the Illinois Department of Human Services EBT by emailing dhs.link@illinois.gov, and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) when a restaurant changes ownership or closes. This ensures that the authorization is cancelled immediately since the previous owner's authorization is NOT TRANSFERABLE. If the new owner wants to continue to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, he/she must sign an MOU with the Illinois Department of Human Services and apply for authorization with the FNS.
The state issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) equipment or your updated EBT integrated Point-of-Sale (POS) device has an Automated Eligibility Identifier that enables you to automatically identify if an EBT card can be processed for the Restaurant Meals Program. EBT cards work similar to debit and credit cards.
You may inform the customer to contact their local Family Resource Center; or
The customer may check their Illinois Link Account or calling 1-800-678-LINK (5465).
Yes. As long as your POS equipment is enabled to accept EBT Cash as a form of payment. Contact your Third-Party Processor (TPP) to ensure your establishment is enabled for these transactions.
A Restaurant Meals Program decal will be provided for placement on your business' door or window. SNAP recipients will be told to look for the logo to identify restaurants participating in Restaurant Meals Program. Additionally, your restaurant's name and address will be placed on a list of participating restaurants, which will be available to eligible participants by going to dhs.illinois.gov/rmp.
EBT meal purchases are usually reimbursed within 48 hours. If you have questions about EBT reimbursement, call the Retailer Helpline at 866-328-4212.
Qualifying restaurants in the Pilot area may submit a "request to participate" anytime between (dates to be provided at a later date).
From the restaurant requests, 10 total restaurants will be selected
No new restaurants will be authorized during the Pilot phase.
Announcement and instructions will be provided on this website after the Pilot Program analysis has completed in Spring 2023.
IDHS will verify information provided, then work with the restaurant on completing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the restaurant and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
For questions regarding the Restaurant Meals Program authorization process, contact the LINK/EBT Unit at DHS.LINK@Illinois.gov
Illinois Department of Human ServicesJB Pritzker, Governor · Grace B. Hou, Secretary
IDHS Office Locator
IDHS Help Line 1-800-843-6154 1-866-324-5553 TTY
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