MR #25.23: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) SNAP Fraud Unit

Illinois Department of Human Services logo

06/12/2025

Summary

The SNAP Fraud Unit (SFU), formerly under the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IDHFS), Office of Inspector General, was relocated to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Family and Community Services (FCS) in October 2021 as part of an agreement between the two state agencies and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). This manual release updates the Cash, SNAP and Medical policy manual with policy and procedural changes for reporting Food Assistance (SNAP/State Food) fraud to the SNAP Fraud Unit.
IDHFS will continue to handle suspected Cash assistance fraud. When there is both a Food Assistance/Cash EDG and fraud is suspected, IDHS will lead the investigation and pass any information obtained in their findings to IDHFS to help with its investigation of the cash benefit related fraud.

The SNAP Fraud Unit (SFU), under the administration of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Family and Community Services (FCS) conducts fraud investigations in connection with the administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and State Food benefits. Any suspected fraud or abuse related to SNAP and State Food benefits is referred to the SNAP Fraud Unit whose purpose is to combat fraud, with emphasis on identifying and disqualifying customers on the program who are committing fraud.

Note: State Food applies to noncitizens only who do not meet citizenship requirements to qualify for SNAP. For persons applying for food assistance, eligibility is first determined for SNAP. If a person is determined ineligible for SNAP due to not meeting citizenship requirements, State Food eligibility and the benefit amount will be determined systematically by IES for the ineligible person(s). A Notice of Decision (IL444-0360C) is sent to the SNAP/State Food household with information on eligibility, benefit calculation and benefit amount for the eligible/ineligible members. Persons receiving State Food are subject to the same Rights and Responsibilities, Work Provisions, Sanctions, and Disqualifications as SNAP customers.

Fraud Unit's Job Responsibilities

The SNAP Fraud Unit's job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Investigates any case of alleged fraud or Intentional Program Violation (IPV) committed by program customers and IDHS employees.
Assists Federal and State officials in the investigation of SNAP fraud committed by other individuals or entities, when requested.
Responsible for the Administrative Disqualification process.
May enter into a data sharing agreement with federal, state agencies and other entities, necessary for SNAP public assistance program integrity functions and oversight.
Ensures that the appropriate actions are taken, including but not limited to:
- Initiates administrative disqualification procedures.
- Refers cases to the United States Attorney, the Office of Attorney General, the appropriate State's Attorney, the Illinois State Police, or local law enforcement for prosecutorial consideration.
- Refers claims to the Bureau of Collections (BOC) for establishment of an inadvertent household error claim against the SNAP household when the SNAP Fraud Unit does not initiate administrative disqualification procedures.

Reporting Suspected Fraud

Family and Community Resources Centers (FCRC) can refer a case suspected of potential fraud to the SNAP Fraud Unit by completing SNAP Fraud Investigation Referral (IL444-5173) and emailing it to DHS.SNAPFraud@illinois.gov. All sections of the form should be completed with the information that the FCRC has been made aware of and include any attachments that support the allegation, such as employment verifications, school verifications. If it is an emergent matter, such as a suspected identity theft application, email DHS.SNAPFraud@illinois.gov. It is not necessary for the FCRC to complete an IL444-5173 in this situation.
Fraud related phone calls made to the IDHS FCS Bureau of Customer & Support Services (BCSS) help line are transferred to the SNAP Fraud Unit queue.
Additional information about fraud prevention and how to report is available for the general public on the IDHS website @ https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=146937.

Forms/Posters/Brochure

As part of establishing the fraud unit under IDHS, the forms, brochures, and posters listed below were created or revised to promote fraud awareness and prevention.

Revised Forms:

Overpayment Referral IL444-2404

SNAP Fraud Unit - Notice of Disqualification for Intentional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Violation IL444-2550
SNAP Fraud Unit - Notice-Waiver-Rights IL444-5153
SNAP Fraud Unit - Investigation Report Form IL444-5170
SNAP Fraud Unit - Request for Employment Verification IL444-5171
SNAP Fraud Unit - SNAP Fraud Investigation Referral IL444-5173
SNAP Fraud Unit - Bureau of Collections (BOC) Overpayment Disposition IL444-5174
SNAP Fraud Unit - Voluntary Statement Form IL444-5176
SNAP Fraud Unit - Request for Interview IL444-5177
SNAP Fraud Unit - SFU Interview Report IL444-5181
SNAP Fraud Unit- Request for Information on Current or Former Tenant IL444-5182
SNAP Fraud Unit - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Notice of Suspected Intentional Program Violation-Waiver-Rights IL444-5351