The IDHS Bureau of SNAP Integrity SNAP Quality Control Unit performs quality reviews for households receiving SNAP benefits. This information is provided to help you through the review process.
- Why does the State complete SNAP Quality Control Reviews?
The reviews are Federally mandated to ensure the Department of Human Services has correctly processed SNAP cases and people are receiving the benefits they are entitled to.
- What would happen if Illinois did not complete SNAP Quality Control Reviews?
The State could lose federal funding to support the SNAP program.
- Who completes the SNAP Quality Control reviews?
The reviews are completed by a specialized team working independently from the FCRCs.
- Why was my case selected?
Any household who received SNAP benefits may be randomly selected. SNAP cases are randomly selected each month for review by our integrated eligibility system.
- Am I in trouble?
No, you are not in trouble! SNAP cases are randomly selected each month for review by our integrated eligibility system.
- What happens during a Quality Control interview?
Once a case is selected for review, we schedule a time for you to meet with a Quality Control Reviewer. During the interview you will be asked questions pertaining to a specific month and go over the documents you brought to the interview. The Quality Control Reviewer will attempt to assist with any missing documents and will let you know if additional documents may be needed.
- Is the Quality Control interview different than the one conducted at the FCRC?
The interview is like the interviews completed with the caseworkers at the FCRC. The difference is, we look at a past month and not what is happening at the time of the Quality Control interview.
- What type of interview will I need to complete?
If SNAP benefits were $100 or less, the interview can be done over the phone. If you are concerned about giving your information over the phone, you have the option to request the interview be in person or by completing a video conference interview.
For households with SNAP benefits are over $100, a face-to-face interview with a Quality Control Reviewer will need to be completed. Illinois currently has a waiver to allow all Quality Control interviews to be completed over the phone through September 30, 2024.
- Where do I go to be interviewed?
You will receive a letter in the mail with the date, time, and location of your scheduled interview. For households with an email address on file with IDHS, you may also receive an email from the Quality Control Reviewer confirming your interview date, time, and location.
For your convenience, these interviews can be done at your local FCRC, an agreed upon public place, or a video conference.
If the appointment's date, time, or location are not convenient, please contact the Quality Control Reviewer named in your interview notice. You can also email DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov and include the Reviewer's name in your request. Illinois currently has a waiver to allow all Quality Control interviews to be completed over the phone through September 30, 2024.
- What documents will I need to bring to the interview?
Most importantly, yourself! Please refer to the letter your Quality Control Reviewer mailed you for the list of documents to bring your interview. If you aren't sure what documents to bring to the interview, you can call your Quality Control Reviewer before the interview to confirm what you need to bring.
- What if I don't bring my documents to the interview?
Don't worry if you don't have everything still attend the interview.
During the interview, a Quality Control Reviewer will attempt to assist households with verifications needed and will let you know what documents are still needed. You may be able to send pictures or screenshots of your verifications if you have a smart phone.
After the interview you may receive a notice requesting additional documents needed to complete the review.
- How can I confirm or reschedule my interview?
Please confirm or reschedule by contacting the Quality Control Reviewer named in your interview notice at the phone number provided. You may also email DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov.
- How can I get my documents to Quality Control?
We provide many safe and secure ways to submit documents. Please only submit documents requested by Quality Control, and include your name and/or case number.
- Email: DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov
- Fax to any location along with the name of the Quality Control Reviewer the documents are directed for:
- Fax Downstate: 217-557-5345
- Fax Cook County: 312-793-3320
- Mail USPS
- Downstate:
- Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of SNAP Integrity
100 South Grand Ave E, 2nd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62762
- Cook County:
- Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of SNAP Integrity
1112 S Wabash Ave, 5th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60605
- How to take a screen print using a smart phone?
- Apple References
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200289
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209462
- Android References
- https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00038721/
- https://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/VS985/Userguide/343.html
- Can you do a conference call to help me provide information needed?
Yes, of course, we will assist you in any way possible to obtain required verifications. Conference calls can be a safe, fast, and easy way to verify required information. Such as:
- Your landlord
- Mortgage Company
- Power Company
- Cell Phone Provider
- Pension
Your Quality Control Reviewer's contact information is conveniently located on letters mailed to you. Please contact the Quality Control Reviewer named in your interview notice. to make arrangements. You can also email DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov.
- Do I have to participate in the review process?
Yes. Households selected for a Quality Control review must cooperate with the review to continue to receive SNAP benefits.
- Do I need to do an interview?
Yes. A Quality Control interview is a mandatory part of the review process. The interview is similar to the one conducted with the FCRC and is about 15 to 30 minutes long, depending on your household size and circumstances.
- What will happen to my SNAP case if I don't cooperate with the review?
Households that do not cooperate with the review will have their SNAP case close and will not be eligible again until they cooperate.
- Will you stop the review if I don't cooperate?
No, Quality Control is required to continue with the review process, regardless of the household's cooperation.
- How long will I not be eligible for SNAP if I don't cooperate with the review?
This sanction will last until the household cooperates with the review process or 125 days after the end of the Quality Control annual review period. The date of the end of the annual Quality Control review period will be located on the notice send by Quality Control.
If you are unable to locate your notice you can contact Quality Control for assistance at DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov .
- How can I get SNAP benefits back if I have been sanctioned for not cooperating with the review?
Households must cooperate with the Quality Control review process. If you are unsure what is needed to cooperate, contact Quality Control for assistance. Your Quality Control Reviewer's contact information is conveniently located on letters mailed to you. Please contact the Quality Control Reviewer named in your interview notice. You can also email DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov.
- Can I just show up at a DHS office or FCRC to complete an interview?
No. Staff working for Quality Control work out of several offices. To complete an interview at one of the offices you will need to make a scheduled appointment. Your Quality Control Reviewer's contact information is conveniently located on letters mailed to you. Please contact the Quality Control Reviewer named in your interview notice. You can also email DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov.
- How can I request a lost letter be resent to me?
If you are unable to locate a prior letter sent to you by Quality Control, you can request a copy of the letter by contacting SNAP Quality Control at DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov.
- How do I learn more about the review process and regulations?
You can find out more on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/applicant-recipient/qc-guide
- What if I still have questions?
We provide safe and secure ways to contact Quality Control to assist you with any additional questions.
- Email is the fastest way to get a response, DHS.BSNAPI@illinois.gov.
- Call your local FCRC, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except State holidays. To locate your local FCRC, use the DHS Office Locator.
