1. What is the SNAP Program?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides nutritional assistance to low-income households. SNAP supplements the food budgets of families and individuals so they may purchase more and higher-quality foods using the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card also known as a Link card. The Link card can be used to pay for food at supermarkets and convenience stores, as well as some farmer's markets and food co-ops.
2. What is the Restaurant Meals Program?
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows elderly, disabled (and spouses), and homeless SNAP customers to use their SNAP benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants.
Per Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regulations, all group members must be either:
- Elderly (60 years of age or over); or
- Disabled (receives disability or blindness payments or receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent); or
- Homeless
- A person is considered homeless if they lack a fixed and regular nighttime residence or if their main nighttime residence is:
- a supervised shelter that provides temporary accommodations; or
- a halfway house or similar facility that provides temporary residence for persons intended to be institutionalized; or
- a place not normally recognized as a place to sleep (a hallway, bus station, library, car, etc.); or
- a temporary stay in the residence of another person. Persons are considered homeless for no more than 90 days when they are residing temporarily in the home of another person.
Note: Spouses of elderly and/or disabled customers do not have to meet age or disability requirements.
3. Do I have to apply to participate in the RMP?
No. An application is not required but you must be approved for SNAP benefits. If IDHS has determined that you are elderly, disabled, or homeless, then your Link Card is already enabled to be used at restaurants that have been approved to participate in RMP.
4. How do I know if I am eligible for RMP?
You can log into your Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) - Manage My Case account to see if you have a message indicating eligibility to participate in RMP, additionally you can access ebtEDGE to determine if you are eligible. If you think you should be eligible, but don't see a message saying that you are, please contact the IDHS Customer Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 or you local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).
5. Will eligible customers be notified of their eligibility?
Yes. Eligible customers will receive a notice from IDHS indicating if they are eligible to participate.
6. Do the members have to receive Social Security Income (SSI) to be considered to have a disability?
No. Eligible customers are not restricted to those receiving SSI only. A customer could be receiving other disability income: RSDI, VA (100% disabled), Railroad Retirement Disability Benefits, or annuity payments from the Railroad while eligible for Medicare. A customer can also be determined permanently and totally disabled through the IDHS Client Assessment Unit (CAU).
7. Do all members of a SNAP group need to be eligible in order to participate in RMP?
Yes. Per FNS regulations, all SNAP household members must be either elderly or disabled or homeless to participate in RMP. Note: for customers that are elderly or disabled their spouses will be eligible for RMP as well.
8. What do I do if I believe I am eligible, but not able to use my Link Card at participating restaurants?
You may call the IDHS Customer Help Line at 1-800-843-6154, log into your ABE MMC account, or visit your local FCRC to inquire about your eligibility.
9. Can eligible SNAP customers who are not mobile send someone to pick up their food?
As an eligible customer, you can authorize someone to do your shopping for you. Only utilize a trusted individual to ensure the integrity of your PIN, as benefits that are used with your Link Card and PIN cannot be replaced.
10. Will I receive more SNAP benefits when I participate in the RMP?
No. Eligibility for the RMP will not change your benefit amount. You will receive the allotment amount you were approved to receive each month. However, each selected restaurant will offer a 10% discount only available to customers eligible for RMP.
11. Do I have to show an identification aside from my Link Card to purchase a meal?
No. Identification is not required. The only requirement is your Link Card and PIN to purchase a meal.
12. Is the Restaurant Meals Program statewide?
Yes. Eligible customers statewide may use their Link Card at participating restaurants found on the Participating Restaurants page.
13. Am I able to use my Link Card at other restaurants outside the state of Illinois?
Yes. You can but only if that state is also participating in the RMP and that restaurant is also an authorized RMP restaurant.
14. How do you know if a restaurant is participating in RMP?
A restaurant is participating in the program if an RMP accepted sign is displayed on the door or window. To find a list of participating restaurants, visit Participating Restaurants.
15. How do I purchase food from a RMP Restaurant?
Inform the staff that you will be using SNAP. Please note, that you cannot call ahead to preorder when you are using SNAP. If eligible, you will be given access through your current Link Card. You can use your Link Card just as you would at the grocery store, swipe & enter your PIN number to pay. Ensure that you are eligible for RMP before going to the restaurant.
16. Will I be charged tax or tip if I purchase a meal with my Link card?
No. The participating restaurants are not allowed to charge tax under the RMP. SNAP benefits cannot be used for tips. If you would like to leave a tip, you will need to use another payment method.
17. Can I use my SNAP benefits to pay for delivery fees?
No. SNAP benefits cannot be used to cover delivery fees. Delivery fees must be charged and paid for separately. If you have available cash benefits on your Link card, they may be used to pay for delivery fees.
18. Can I use my SNAP benefits to purchase alcohol?
No. You cannot use your SNAP benefits to purchase alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, or any non-food items.
19. Can I use my SNAP benefits to order take-out meals from a participating restaurant?
Yes. Take-out meals can be ordered from a participating restaurant. The participating restaurant only needs to have seating available.
20. Can I get delivery from a participating restaurant?
Yes. However, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery services. You must enter your PIN upon delivery by means of a portable POS device.
21. After purchasing a meal, do I get a sales receipt showing my benefit balance?
Yes. Your sales receipt will show the cost of your meal and your SNAP benefit balance.
22. How do I check my SNAP benefit balance?
Your SNAP benefit balance will be printed on your receipt if you used your Link card.
You can also check your SNAP balance by calling Customer Service at 1-800-678-5465 or by visiting www.ebtEDGE.com.
23. If my Link card benefit balance is not enough to purchase a meal, can I use another payment method to cover the difference between my Link card balance and the cost of the meal?
Yes. You must inform the cashier that you will use another form of payment (debit/credit/cash). Before you buy a meal, check your last receipt or Illinois Link Customer Service at 1-800-678-5465 or by visiting www.ebtEDGE.com for your current SNAP balance.
24. What If I have a complaint about the RMP Restaurant?
Contact the local health department to file a complaint.
25. What if I have a request for a specific restaurant to be included in the RMP?
Direct your request to the owner of restaurant so they can determine their eligibility for the program.
26. Where can I go for additional information?
Email DHS.RMP@illinois.gov , contact IDHS helpline at 1-800-843-6154, or contact your local FCRC.
