SNAP Emergency Allotment is Ending
Beginning March 2023, all SNAP households will see their benefits decrease.
During the pandemic, IDHS issued SNAP Emergency Allotments across the State of Illinois. Since April 2020, all Illinois SNAP households received their regular monthly benefit and an Emergency Allotment to help manage food insecurity.
Due to a recent federal policy change, SNAP Emergency Allotments are ending February 28, 2023. The Emergency Allotments were an additional issuance of a minimum allotment of $95 to each household's monthly benefits.
SNAP customers are encouraged to visit abe.illinois.gov or call the IDHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154 and update information including a change of address, increase in housing costs, or decrease in income, to receive the maximum benefits for which they are eligible.
SNAP households should prepare accordingly for the decrease in benefits. All SNAP households are encouraged to visit their local food pantry. To find food a food pantry across Illinois, visit go.illinois.edu/findfood
SNAP Emergency Allotment (EA) Availability
* The Emergency Allotment (EA) Calendar will be updated as information becomes available.
| If Your Regular Availability Date is: |
January EA
Availability Date |
February EA
Availability Date |
March EA
No Issuance |
1st day of the month with
Case Numbers Starting 1-4 |
01/21/2023 |
02/20/2023 |
No Issuance |
1st day of the month with
Case Numbers Starting 5-9 |
01/22/2023 |
02/21/2023 |
No Issuance |
2nd day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/23/2023 |
02/22/2023 |
No Issuance |
3rd day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/23/2023 |
02/22/2023 |
No Issuance |
4th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/24/2023 |
02/23/2023 |
No Issuance |
5th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/25/2023 |
02/24/2023 |
No Issuance |
6th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/25/2023 |
02/24/2023 |
No Issuance |
7th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/26/2023 |
02/25/2023 |
No Issuance |
8th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/27/2023 |
02/26/2023 |
No Issuance |
9th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/27/2023 |
02/26/2023 |
No Issuance |
10th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/28/2022 |
02/27/2023 |
No Issuance |
13th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/29/2022 |
02/28/2023 |
No Issuance |
17th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/29/2022 |
02/28/2023 |
No Issuance |
20th day of the month
All Case Numbers |
01/29/2022 |
02/28/2023 |
No Issuance |
What are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments (EA)?
SNAP EA are extra SNAP benefits provided to eligible SNAP households. This allows households to receive the maximum SNAP benefits for the household size.
Who is eligible to receive EA?
In April 2020, SNAP households who did not receive the maximum SNAP allotment for the household size received EA benefits to equal the maximum amount.
Beginning April 2021, all eligible SNAP households are eligible to receive a minimum EA of $95.
How Much will I receive in Emergency Allotment?
The amount of EA received is based on two factors:
- The amount of Regular SNAP benefits your household receives; and
- The maximum SNAP allotment for your household size.
The amount of your EA is the difference between the Regular SNAP amount you already receive and the Maximum Allotment for your household size. However, if this amount is less than $95, a minimum issuance of $95 will be issued. Example: A 1-person household is eligible for $200 and the maximum amount for a 1 person household is $250. An EA of $95 would be issued since it is more than $50.
How long will I continue to receive EA?
EA ended with the last issuances made in February 2023 due to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
