Policy Memo
11/16/2021
Summary
- Due to a waiver modification approval from Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), this policy memorandum provides an expansion to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Pilot Program.
- Currently, there are 3 correctional facilities that are participating in the Pilot Program: Logan County Correctional Center, Illinois River Correctional Center in Fulton County, and Kewanee Correctional Center in Henry County.
- Effective 09/01/2021, the IDOC Pilot Program is now being expanded to Decatur Women's Correctional Center in Macon County, Lincoln Correctional Center in Logan County, and Vienna Correctional Center in Johnson County.
- This expansion allows the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to accept SNAP applications submitted by individuals from the Decatur Women's Correctional Center in Macon County, Lincoln Correctional Center in Logan County, and Vienna Correctional Center in Johnson County within 10 days of their release date, and defines the application date as the date of discharge.
- SNAP Applications for Individuals Being Released from Logan Correctional Center - PILOT, published on 08/05/2020, introduces the Prisoner Pre-Release Pilot Program.
- System Changes to Accommodate Applications Received Prior to an Individual's Release from Certain Department of Correction or State Mental Health Facilities - Phase 1, published on 10/20/2021, provides further guidance on Phase 1 changes in IES and how to accommodate SNAP applications prior to discharge.
- FCRC staff will continue to follow the same IES case processing procedures when an application is received from an individual in one of these 3 additional correctional facilities.
FNS has expanded a waiver approval of the IDOC Pilot Program for individuals to gain access to SNAP benefits upon their release date. Currently, there are 3 correctional facilities that are participating in the Pilot Program: Logan County Correctional Center, Illinois River Correctional Center in Fulton County, and Kewanee Correctional Center in Henry County. Effective 09/01/2021, the waiver approval has now been expanded to 3 additional correctional centers: Decatur Correctional Center in Macon County, Lincoln Correctional Center in Logan County, and Vienna Correctional Center in Johnson County.
SNAP Applications for Decatur Correctional Center, Lincoln Correctional Center, and Vienna Correctional Center
Effective 09/01/2021, individuals incarcerated in the Decatur Women's Correctional Center in Macon County, Lincoln Correctional Center in Logan County, or Vienna Correctional Center in Johnson County may apply for SNAP benefits up to 10 days prior to their discharge date. The waiver allows an individual with a pending release date to have access to SNAP benefits and food resources upon their release and approval. SNAP Applications for Individuals Being Released from Logan Correctional Center - PILOT, published 08/05/2020, introduces the Prisoner Pre-Release Pilot Program. System Changes to Accommodate Applications Received Prior to an Individual's Release from Certain Department of Correction or State Mental Health Facilities - Phase 1, published on 10/20/2021, provides further guidance on Phase 1 changes in IES and how to accommodate SNAP applications prior to discharge.
FCRC Action:
When an application is received from one of these approved facilities, FCRC staff should continue to follow the IES application processing procedures outlined in policy.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Forms Reference:
