Food

Programs/Services

Hungry people need food. Illinois has many programs that can help.

• Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) - benefit that can help buy food for your school age children 3-17 and 18-22 (in high school) who would receive National School Lunch Program free or reduced-priced meals if schools are in session.
• Emergency Food - Helps supplement the diets of low-income needy people by providing food at no cost.
• SNAP (Formerly Food Stamps) - Helps low-income households buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - A food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.
• WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) - A food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. Can provide special checks to buy fresh, nutritious fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers' markets and roadside stands.
• Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) - A food and education assistance program for Seniors. It helps Seniors eat well and stay healthy.
• Homeless Youth Services strives to meet the immediate survival needs (food, clothing, and shelter) of youth and assist them in becoming self-sufficient.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - A food assistance program that addresses the basic nutritional needs of Illinois Senior Citizens 60 and over.  Eligible Seniors receive regular USDA food packages and nutrition education from local participating food distribution centers serving Illinois counties.

Apply for Food Assistance

• Apply For Cash, SNAP (Food Stamps) & Medical Assistance

Calculators & Tools

• Use the SNAP Eligibility Calculator to find out if you are eligible for SNAP (Food Stamp) Benefits.

More Information & Resources

• Illinois Link Card - the card that allows you to spend your cash and SNAP benefits electronically.
• Food Pantries - a list of food pantries that serve Illinois families.
• Farmers Markets that Accept Illinois Link
• Report fraud for Cash, SNAP & Medical Assistance
• Change of Information for SNAP - If you are receiving SNAP, learn how to change your information.
• Cash, SNAP and Medical Manual

Other State Agency Programs

• Low-income consumers may qualify for assistance to help pay for installation of telephone service and monthly charges for local phone service through the Lifeline and Link-Up Telephone Assistance Programs.