WAG 22-01-01-b
Link cards will be mailed by the Link contractor for cash and food assistance case approvals except for the following instances when Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) will continue to issue the cards:
- Expedited Food Assistance cases,
- Crisis Assistance Cash cases,
- Homeless customers using the FCRC address,
- Cases with no SSN
- Residents of CILAs, or Drug/Alcohol treatment facilities that have designated an approved or authorized representative, and
- Cases with an approved representative when the approved representative will be using the Link card.
FCRC Issuing the Link Card - Separation of Duties
The same person cannot be responsible for authorizing the benefits on a case and issuing the Link card. In the rare event that this must occur due to the lack of staff availability and prior to issuing the card, the worker must request and be given written approval from a supervisor or local or regional administrator who will verify correct procedures have been followed.
Link Contractor Issuing the Link Card
The cards are mailed to the customer address on file with DHS. It is critical that staff update the customer's address whenever a change is reported. Staff should stress with the customer the importance of reporting address changes right away.
Issue one Illinois Link card per case. The Illinois Link card is issued to the payee of the case.
Restaurant Meals Program
Customers who are eligible to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) will not need an additional Illinois Link card issued to them if they are approved. The Illinois Link card will be systematically programmed to identify the customers that are eligible to participate in the program.
Pre-Release Program
Upon approval of a SNAP EDG for a customer in an approved Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery (IDHS-DBHR) State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals (SOPH), or Illinois Department of Justice (IDJJ) facility, a "Link Card Issuance - DOC/MH" task will be created in the "Link Queue" for a FCRC Link worker to complete the Link Card Issuance form electronically.
Customers in the Pre-Release Program approved for SNAP will have their Illinois Link card issued to them by the facility they are being released from once the Link Card Issuance form is completed.
Note: The FCRC should follow the Phase 1 Link card issuance method if the facility releasing the approved individual does not have ABE Provider Portal access or if the Link Card Issuance page fails to load correctly.
