PM 06-04-03
A homeless SNAP household may be an individual or several members living together.
Mailing Address
- Obtain approval of the Local Office Administrator (LOA) to use the Family Community Resource Center address for a customer with no permanent address.
- Enter the Family Community Resource Center address on the IES Address Information Screen.
Example: Ms. A and her 3 children moved to Illinois from another state and applied for TANF. The family is living in a vehicle parked on a street near a gas station.
Upon case approval, the MediPlan card is sent to the Family Community Resource Center. SNAP and the IPE check are sent to the Illinois Link account.
Separate Household Status
A homeless person provided temporary shelter in another person's residence is allowed to claim separate SNAP household status if they qualify under SNAP household policy. Persons are considered homeless for no more than 90 days when they are temporarily residing in the home of another person.
Example: Ms. G and her minor children are homeless. The family temporarily moves in with Ms. G's brother and expect to reside with him for no more than 90 days. Since Ms. G and her children are homeless, regard them as buying food and preparing meals separate from the brother. Because of this, Ms. G and her children are considered a separate SNAP household from Ms. G's brother.
Do not grant separate SNAP household status if the individual(s) don't qualify because of relationship (see PM 04-05-00).
SNAP Homeless Households
A homeless SNAP household that incurs or expects to incur shelter costs during the month qualifies for the Homeless Shelter Standard, if the allowable shelter expenses that household pays results in an shelter allowance that is less than or equal to the Homeless Shelter Standard. Accept the customer's statement for the amount of the expenses. Verification of the expense is not required. Do not allow a Utility Standard for households receiving the Homeless Shelter Standard (including telephone standard).
If shelter expenses exceed the current Homeless Shelter Standard the customer can then use the amount they pay as the Actual Homeless Shelter Expense. These expenses must be verified. A Utility Standard may be allowed if a utility expense(s) is incurred. Verification of actual costs may include but are not limited to receipts, contact with a third party, or a statement by the household providing temporary lodging.
- Example 1: Ms. L and her family are homeless. Ms. L reports self-employment earned income of $1000 monthly and provides her own records as verification. Ms. L and her family reside in a shelter which requests $100 monthly fee for any residents that have income. Ms. L is allowed the Homeless Shelter Standard on her SNAP case. Customer's statement is accepted for the amount of shelter expense, verification of the homeless shelter expense is not required.
- Example 2: Mr. H and his family are homeless. Mr. H receives SSA for himself and his children of $1800 monthly. They are living at the Circle Ranch campground that charges $25 daily to stay there and they are also charged $5 daily for use of the shower facilities, making their charge $30 per day. The household is also charged an additional $10 daily for electric and water. Mr. H has receipts for the payments that he has made to the campground. He may use his actual expenses for the Actual Homeless Shelter Expense for SNAP. Mr. H qualifies for the Actual Homeless Shelter Expense of $900 = ($30 x 30 days). Because he pays for electric (not air or heat) and water, the Limited Utility Standard is allowed.
Note: The SNAP EDG is not denied or canceled due to failure to provide proof of their actual expenses. If not verified allow the Homeless Shelter Standard.
Homeless Shelter Expenses
Homeless shelter expenses are expenses that a homeless household incurs due to being homeless including any costs, regardless of amount, related to securing a location to sleep for a night, securing temporary shelter from severe weather, accessing resources related to housing including cost of laundry, shower facilities, cell phone, and other allowable expenses. Some homeless households may have shelter/utility expenses outside of typical expenses which can be used toward the Homeless Shelter Standard or Actual Homeless Shelter Expense.
Examples of homeless shelter expenses include but are not limited to the following.
Current payments incurred to obtain shelter from environmental elements or to have a place to rest, for example:
- Homeless shelter facility fees;
- Hotel/Motel costs for temporary lodging;
- Payments to family or friends in exchange for temporary housing (must be less than 90 days);
- Payments to use facilities, including camping fees. Note: transit, entry, and/or use fees that are paid solely for reasons other than obtaining shelter or having a place to rest are not homeless shelter expenses.;
- Laundry costs;
- If a person is living in a vehicle, reasonably anticipated or recurring maintenance costs of the vehicle, including vehicle payments, repairs, and collision/comprehensive insurance premiums, are allowable shelter costs. Costs of overnight parking and camping fees are also valid shelter expenses. Expenses that occur less than monthly can be averaged over the period for which they are paid.;
- Locker/storage fees for storing basic necessities including but not limited to clothing, medication, hygiene products, and food.; or
- Utility related costs for homeless families include but are not limited to:
- Phone costs;
- Gasoline for a generator;
- Propane for heating or cooking; or
- Firewood.
Note: To qualify for the Homeless Shelter Standard or the use of Actual Homeless Shelter Expense, all members in the SNAP household must be homeless, living together and incur shelter expenses during the month.
Determining What to Allow (Homeless Shelter Standard or Actual Homeless Shelter Expense)
- Review the application, redetermination, or Mid-Point Report to identify a homeless household.
- At the initial application or redetermination interview, ask if homeless shelter expenses will be incurred at any time during a month. The shelter expenses do not need to be for a full month or for every single month. If expenses are incurred, explain the Homeless Shelter Standard and the use of Actual Homeless Shelter Expense to the customer. If the customer indicates homeless shelter expenses are incurred of less than or equal to the Homeless Shelter Standard and all other eligibility requirements are met, no further action is needed. The household qualifies for the Homeless Shelter Standard. The customer's statement of the expense is sufficient. A Utility Standard allowance is not given because it has already been considered in the Homeless Shelter Standard.
- At the Mid-Point Report, review the responses to a reported address change and if homeless is indicated, send Verification Checklist (VCL) (Form IL444-0267) to the customer if verification of Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses are needed.
- If the customer indicates they have shelter expenses that exceed the Homeless Shelter Standard the customer can request to use the Actual Homeless Shelter Expense. If the customer opts to use Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses and does not have proof of the expense with them, issue a VCL (Form IL444-0267) and request that proof be provided within 10 calendar days.
- If verification of the actual expense is not provided, change the Shelter Expense Detail Screen from Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses to Homeless Shelter Deduction and remove the actual dollar amount in the Amount field. Do not deny or cancel a SNAP EDG for failure to verify the actual expenses. In general, a SNAP household is not allowed an expense deduction if the required verification is not returned within the 10-day timeframe. For SNAP homeless households, the Homeless Shelter Standard is used if verification of Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses are not provided. The customer has already indicated that they have expenses that would qualify them for at least the Homeless Shelter Standard.
- Determine eligibility using only the expenses that the homeless SNAP household incurs. Do not include back payments on previously owed shelter expenses.
- Notice of Decision (Form IL444-0360C) is generated upon approval, including the SNAP calculation.
IES Screens and Error Messages
In order for IES to perform the SNAP calculation correctly the appropriate information must be entered in IES. The following table shows the IES screens and the error messages when information is not entered correctly.
| IES Screens |
Worker Action |
Validation Field |
IES Results |
| Household Address Screen |
|
If both the address AND living arrangement are marked as a type homeless. |
Allows the Homeless Shelter Standard or Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses in the SNAP calculation. |
|
Answers (Yes) to the question " Is the primary applicant homeless?" |
If the living arrangement is not marked as one of the living arrangement types, displays validation message:
"You have indicated that the primary applicant is homeless. Please update the Living Arrangement screen with one of the following living arrangement types: Halfway House, Homeless, Homeless Shelter, Temporarily Living with a Friend or Relative."
|
|
|
Answers "Is the primary applicant homeless?" as "Yes" for a physical address type. |
Upon click of Save + Continue, Save + Previous, or Save + Add Address, displays hard stop message:
"A physical address cannot be saved if the primary applicant is homeless, please update the address type to mailing."
|
|
|
Answers "Is the primary applicant homeless?" as "Yes" for the mailing address. |
"Displays the following message upon click of Save + Continue, Save + Previous, Save + Add Address (this does not prevent the user from advancing):
"You have indicated that the primary applicant is homeless. Please update the Living Arrangement screen with one of the following living arrangement types: Halfway House, Homeless, Homeless Shelter, Temporarily Living with Friend or Relative."
|
|
|
Changes the response to the question "Is the primary applicant homeless?' from "Yes" to "No". |
Displays the following message upon click of Save + Continue, Save + Previous, Save + Add Address:
"You have indicated that the primary applicant is no longer homeless. Please update the Living Arrangement to be no longer homeless and end date any homeless shelter expenses."
|
|
| Living Arrangement Screen |
Select one of the following Living Arrangement Types for the head of household: "Halfway House", "Homeless", Homeless Shelter", "Temporarily Living with a friend or relative" |
If the household address is not homeless, displays validation message once the record is saved:
"The living arrangement chosen indicates that the individual is homeless. Please verify on the Household Address screen that the question "Is the primary applicant homeless?" is marked as "Yes."
|
|
| Shelter Expense Detail Screen |
Circumstance Start/Change Date must be 09/01/2021 or after to choose Homeless Shelter Standard or Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses. |
If the shelter expense type is "Actual Homeless Shelter Expense" or "Homeless Shelter Standard" and Circumstances Start Change Date is before September 1, 2021, displays message:
"The CSCD date cannot be before 09/01/2021 for homeless shelter expenses."
|
Allows the Homeless Shelter Standard or Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses in the SNAP calculation. |
|
Under Expense Information, select Expense Type as either "Homeless Shelter Standard" or "Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses", whichever is applicable to the SNAP household. |
If the shelter expense type is "Actual Homeless Shelter Expense" or "Homeless Shelter Standard" and the household is not indicated as homeless on the Household Address screen, displays message:
"A homeless shelter expense cannot be added unless the question " Is the primary applicant homeless?" is (Yes) on the Household Address screen."
If the shelter expense type is "Actual Homeless Shelter Expense" or "Homeless Shelter Standard" and living arrangement is not set as " Halfway House", "Homeless", "Homeless Shelter", or "Temporarily Living with a friend or relative", displays message:
"A homeless shelter expense cannot be added unless the head of household living arrangement is set as "Halfway Household", "Homeless", "Homeless Shelter", or "Temporarily Living with a friend or relative" on the Living Arrangement screen."
|
Defaults to "Monthly" if the shelter expense type is "Homeless Shelter Standard." |
|
If actual homeless shelter expenses are used, enter the amount in the "Amount" field. |
If the worker adds the Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses and enters an amount less than or equal to the Homeless Shelter Standard, displays message:
"Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses must be greater than (the amount of the Homeless Shelter Standard). Please add the Homeless Shelter Standard if expenses are (amount of Homeless Shelter Standard or less)."
If the household already has the Homeless Shelter Standard OR Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses saved, and the worker tries to add another shelter expense type for the same EDM. (this applies when adding multiple expenses to the same individual, or different individuals in the same household), displays message:
"Additional expense types cannot be added if the Homeless Shelter Standard or Actual Homeless Shelter Expense already applies for the household in a given month."
|
Defaults to the Homeless Shelter Standard, if the shelter expense type is "Standard Homeless Shelter." |
|
Select customer statement in the "Verification" field |
Worker adds expense type for Actual Homeless Shelter Expense, and adds the following verification types: Leaser/Rent Receipt, Phone call to landlord, Lease Mortgage Statement, Insurance Document, Property Tax Bill, Conversion, displays hard stop message:
"This is not an acceptable verification for the Actual Homeless Shelter Expense."
|
Defaults to "Client Statement" if the shelter expense type is "Homeless Shelter Standard." |
|
The HSC has existing shelter expenses and tries to add Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses or Homeless Shelter Standard to the same EDM. |
Displays message upon click or Save + Add Shelter Expenses:
"Please end date all other shelter types before adding homeless shelter expenses for the same time period."
|
|
| Utility Standard Screen |
The SNAP Homeless Shelter Standard is saved as an expense on the Shelter Expenses Screen for any given eligibility determination period and HSC navigates to this screen. |
Displays the following message upon loading this screen (this does not prevent HSC from entering utility expenses or navigating past screen):
"Utility expenses entered on this page will not be budgeted before (end date of Homeless Shelter Standard) for SNAP because the household is receiving the Homeless Shelter Standard. (If there is no end date for the Homeless Shelter Standard, an end date will not display in the message)."
|
|
| Standard Allowance Details Summary Screen |
If the SNAP household claims, "Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses" and a utility expense is incurred as a shelter cost, select the applicable expenses.
IES applies the appropriate Utility Standard in the SNAP calculation based on the utilities the worker selects.
|
The Homeless Shelter Standard is saved as an expense on the Shelter Expense page for the same time period as the utility expenses are added to IES. If the worker tries to enter utility expenses with the Homeless Shelter Standard, displays message:
"Utility expenses entered on this page will not be budgeted for SNAP because the household is receiving the Homeless Shelter Standard."
|
|
| SNAP EDG Summary Screens |
|
|
- Only displays on SNAP EDG Summary. Does not show on Cash and Medical EDG screens.
- Displays "SNAP Homeless Household" if the SNAP household is homeless based on the Living Arrangement and Household Address Screen.
- Displays "SNAP Standard Homeless Shelter Deduction" if the SNAP household qualifies for the Homeless Shelter Deduction.
- Displays 'Y' if the SNAP Household qualifies for the Homeless Shelter Standard and 'N' if the household does not qualify for the Homeless Shelter Standard.
|
| EDG Net Income Results |
|
|
- When "Homeless Shelter Standard" is selected as an expense type, displays "Homeless Shelter Standard" in the field description.
- When "Actual Homeless Shelter" is selected as an expense type and an amount that is more than the Homeless Shelter Standard is entered, displays as an "Excess Shelter Deduction" in the field description. HSC clicks on the hyperlink to see what expenses were used.
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SNAP Homeless Household Calculations
Homeless Shelter Standard
A homeless SNAP household is not entitled to their actual shelter expenses or a utility standard when determining eligibility and calculating the SNAP benefit amount if the Homeless Shelter Standard is allowed.
Example: Mr. B files an initial SNAP application on 10/02/2025. He indicates on the application that he is homeless. At the interview, Mr. B states he is a homeless veteran and receives $600 per month in Veterans' benefits. He states that during the month he sometimes stays in a shelter for adult men and sometimes stays in his car. He states his stay at the shelter is usually the first 6 days of every month after he receives his VA check. He is charged $20 per night. His homeless shelter expenses are $120 per month. He spends the remainder of the month sleeping in his car. The HSC explains the Homeless Shelter Standard of $199 and the use of Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses to Mr. B. Mr. B states his only expense is $120 to the adult shelter. Mr. B qualifies for the Homeless Shelter Standard of $199. No verification of his shelter expense is needed as it is less than $199. If all other eligibility factors are met, the FCRC can certify Mr. B's SNAP benefits. The SNAP calculation using the Homeless Shelter Standard for October 2025 is as follows:
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION |
October 2025 |
| Unearned income |
|
$600 |
| Noncompliance amount |
|
$0 |
| Gross adjusted unearned income |
|
$600 |
| Gross earned income |
|
+ $0 |
| Total Earned Income + Unearned Income |
|
= $600 |
| Child support deduction |
|
- $0 |
| Total Gross Income |
|
= $600 |
| Gross Monthly Income Standard for Household of 1 = $2,152 |
|
|
| NET INCOME CALCULATION |
|
|
| Earned Income Deduction: |
|
|
| Gross earned income x .80 (round up) |
|
$0 |
| Gross adjusted unearned income |
|
+ $600 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
|
= $600 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTION: |
|
|
| Standard deduction |
$205 |
|
| Dependent care deduction |
$0 |
|
| QM's excess medical expense |
$0 |
|
| Child support deduction |
$0 |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
|
- $205 |
| Adjusted Net Income |
|
= $395 |
| HOMELESS SHELTER STANDARD |
|
- $199 |
| SHELTER DEDUCTION |
|
|
| Rent or Mortgage Expense |
$0 |
|
| Property Insurance/Taxes |
+ $0 |
|
| Total Housing Costs (drop cents) |
= $0 |
|
| ACTUAL HOMELESS SHELTER EXPENSES |
$0 |
|
| UTILITY STANDARD |
+ $0 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses |
= $0 |
|
| 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income |
- $0 |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense* |
|
= $0 |
| NET SNAP INCOME |
|
= $196 |
| SNAP BENEFIT AMOUNT |
|
$239 |
Note: Mr. B is not allowed the excess shelter deduction or a utility standard.
Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses
A homeless SNAP Household can choose to use actual shelter expenses if those expenses are more than the Homeless Shelter Standard amount and the expenses are verified.
Example: Ms. J files an application for SNAP on 10/02/2025. At the interview Ms. J states, she works part time at the local diner earning an average of $400 a month. Ms. J marked on her application that she is homeless and explains that she is temporarily staying with a friend in her apartment. When asked by the HSC how long she would be staying with the friend, Ms. J anticipated her stay to be less than 90 days. Ms. J states she sleeps on the couch and is expected to pay her friend $200 monthly. Part of the payment ($50) is used towards Ms. J's use of the utilities which includes electricity (air conditioning). The HSC explains the Homeless Shelter Standard to the customer and the option to use Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses, if the expense exceeds the Homeless Shelter Standard. In this example, the customer would qualify for the Actual Homeless Shelter Expense of $150 and the Air Conditioning/Heating Standard, if actual expenses are verified. The HSC gives Ms. J a VCL (Form IL444-0267) requesting proof of the actual expense amount and what the expense covers. Ms. J provides the verification by the VCL due date. Her SNAP benefits are calculated using the Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses as follows:
| GROSS INCOME CALCULATION |
|
October 2025 |
| Unearned income |
|
$0 |
| Noncompliance amount |
|
$0 |
| Gross adjusted unearned income |
|
$0 |
| Gross earned income |
|
+ $400 |
| Total Earned Income + Unearned Income |
|
= $400 |
| Child support deduction |
|
- $0 |
| Total Gross Income |
|
= $400 |
| Gross Monthly Income Standard for Household of 1 =$2,152 |
|
|
| NET INCOME CALCULATION |
|
|
| Earned Income Deduction: |
|
|
| Gross earned income x .80 (round up) |
|
$320 |
| Gross adjusted unearned income |
|
+ $0 |
| Total Adjusted Income |
|
= $320 |
| OTHER INCOME DEDUCTION: |
|
|
| Standard deduction |
$205 |
|
| Dependent care deduction |
$0 |
|
| QM's excess medical expense |
$0 |
|
| Child support deduction |
$0 |
|
| Total Other Income Deductions |
|
- $205 |
| Adjusted Net Income |
|
= $115 |
| HOMELESS SHELTER STANDARD |
$0 |
|
| SHELTER DEDUCTION |
|
|
| Rent or Mortgage Expense |
$0 |
|
| Property Insurance/Taxes |
+ $0 |
|
| Total Housing Costs (drop cents) |
= $0 |
|
| ACTUAL HOMELESS SHELTER EXPENSES |
$150 |
|
| UTILITY STANDARD |
+$546 |
|
| Total Shelter Expenses |
=$696 |
|
| 1/2 of Adjusted Net Income |
-$57 |
|
| Excess Shelter Expense* |
|
-$639 |
| NET SNAP INCOME |
|
= $0 |
| SNAP BENEFIT AMOUNT |
|
$298 |
Note: Ms. J is eligible for $298 in SNAP benefits using her Actual Homeless Shelter Expenses. If she had not returned the verification, the Homeless Shelter Standard would be used in the calculation. Do not deny or cancel a SNAP EDG for failure to verify actual expenses. In general, a SNAP household is not allowed an expense deduction if the required verification is not returned within the 10-day time-frame. For SNAP homeless households, the Homeless Shelter Standard is used if verification of Actual Shelter Expenses are not provided. The customer has already indicated that they have monthly expenses that are related to their homelessness.
