Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

Administered by: Bureau of Family Nutrition

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income Seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods. Eligible Seniors enrolled in CSFP will receive a monthly food package containing a variety of USDA foods, including but not limited to cereal, oats, pasta, rice, grits, lentils, peanut butter, dry milk, cheese, canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables, dry beans, and fruit juice. The CSFP monthly food package does not provide a complete diet, but rather is a good source of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of older adults, such as vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron.

In addition to receiving monthly food packages, Seniors will also receive newsletters, recipes, and/or other nutrition education material encouraging the use of USDA foods and promoting healthy eating lifestyles.

Eligibility Requirements for CSFP

  • Reside in a participating Illinois county (see listing below)
  • Must be 60 years of age or older
  • Have a household income of not more than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
    Household Size Annual Monthly Weekly
    1 $22,590 $1,883 $435
    2 $30,660 $2,555 $590
    3 $38,730 $3,228 $745
    4 $46,800 $3,900 $908
    5 $54,870 $4,573 $1,056
    6 $62,940 $5,245 $1,211
    7 $71,000 $5,918 $1,366
    8 $79,080 $6,590 $1,521
    For each add'l HH member, add... $8,070 $673 $156

How to Apply for CSFP

If you meet eligibility requirements as shown above, and would like to apply for CSFP, contact the local CSFP food distribution agency that serves your county (see below). Please note, not all Illinois counties participate in this program. Below is the most up to date list of participating counties.

Greater Chicago Food Depository

  • 4100 West Ann Lurie Place
  • Chicago, IL 60632
  • Telephone: 773-247-3663
  • Email: olderadults@gcfd.org
  • Counties served: Cook

  • St. Louis Area Foodbank

  • 70 Corporate Woods Drive
  • Bridgeton, MO 63044-3806
  • Telephone: 314-292-6262
  • Counties served: Clinton, Franklin, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington, Williamson.

Tri-State Foodbank

  • 2504 Lynch Road
  • Evansville, IN 47711
  • Telephone: 812-425-0775
  • Counties served: Alexander, Edwards, Hamilton, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, and White.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Illinois CSFP State Plan: FFY 2025

INTRODUCTION

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) administers the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in Illinois in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 247 and where provision of 7 CRF Part 250 is applicable. CSFP is a United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) federally funded program that works to improve the health of persons with low-income, at least 60 years of age, by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.

LOCAL AGENCIES

The names and addresses of all local agencies in which the State Agency has entered into an agreement are provided in Exhibit A (above). Agreements/contracts are between IDHS and the local agency for a one (1) year period with an option for a yearly renewal of up to four (4) consecutive years. Beginning July 01, 2025, in accordance with 7 CFR 247.5(16), the State will make available a list of all CSFP local agencies, including the address and telephone numbers on the Illinois Department of Human Services public webpage. This list will be updated annually, at the beginning of each State fiscal year. Local agencies enter into a written agreement with distribution sites to distribute monthly commodity boxes to participants. Each state fiscal year, the local agencies submit a list of distribution sites which include, site name, address/city/ZIP, site coordinator, hours of operation, issued caseload.

INCOME ELIGIBILITY

Senior adults are income eligible if they have a household income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Income is defined as gross income before deductions such as income taxes, employee's social security taxes, insurance premiums, retirement, or any other deductions, such as bonds or garnishments. Participants certified before September 17, 1986 (i.e. under the three pilot projects) must remain subject to the eligibility criteria in effect at the time of their certification. Beginning State Fiscal Year 2026 (07/01), income eligibility will increase to 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

Applicants are allowed to self-disclose income to qualify for CSFP services.

NUTRITIONAL RISK

Nutritional risk is not evaluated in the Illinois Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

SERVICE PLAN and CASELOAD NEED

Upon notification from USDA, the State will allocate each local agency's assigned caseload. The State will take into consideration the need and population in the service area; the demonstrated ability of the local agency to administer the program and their request for a change in caseload.

Local agencies determine the allocation of caseload throughout their service area and enter into an agreement with local public and/or private non-profit agencies to certify applicants and to distribute food packages in accordance with federal regulation and Illinois CSFP requirements.

PARTICIPANT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Local Agencies shall perform participant application duties and client management adhering to applicable requirements set forth by 7 CFR 247 and the Illinois CSFP Policy and Procedure Manual. Local Agencies shall utilize an approved Illinois CSFP paper application document or electronic version of the paper application document. Illinois CSFP shall approve the use of alternative methods (i.e. electronic forms/client management systems) for participant intake and client management that ensure the following:

  1. All elements of the Illinois CSFP approved paper/electronic application document are included as input fields.
  2. Applicants are informed of their rights and obligations in the same manner as the approved Illinois CSFP paper/electronic document application.
  3. Applicants and their Proxies must provide signatures by verifiable electronic means and provide a [YES/NO] selection to attest to their understanding of language and release of provided information as codified in 7 CFR 247.8(b.)
  4. Applicants are provided with the most current USDA non-discrimination statement at the time of application.
  5. Application/client management systems that store electronic data must have sufficient data encryption methods and data security protocols in place to protect applicant/participant information.
  6. Application/client management systems must be capable of creating/managing user accounts with privilege assignment from an administrator account.
  7. Electronic systems must have capabilities to detect program dual participation.
  8. Application/client management systems must have the capabilities to produce ad hoc applicant/participant information and reports, including proof of signatures.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Persons eligible for Illinois' CSFP must reside within the CSFP service area of the local agency at the time of application for benefits. Migrant and seasonal farm workers shall be considered as meeting the residency requirement. Local agencies are authorized to serve residents from counties outside their normal service area if the area served does not overlap another local agency's service area and agency has served all participants on their wait list. However, the State does not require that a participant reside within the area for any fixed period of time.

Applicants must show proof of residency at time of certification and recertification. Acceptable forms showing proof of residency include driver license, utility bill or another piece of mail or document with name and address shown.

A person who lists a homeless shelter as their residency will need a statement from shelter staff verifying that the person is residing at the shelter. A person living in a vehicle or who does not have temporary shelter is certified using the address of the nearest intersection where the individual usually resides.

Senior adults living in nursing homes are not eligible for CSFP benefits.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility for participation in CSFP is based upon an individual's age, residency, and self attestation of household income. Senior adults, aged 60 years and above, who currently reside within the CSFP service area, are income eligible if they have household income at or below 130% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines published annually by the Department of Health and Human Services. Beginning State Fiscal Year 2026 (07/01), income eligibility will increase to 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

Certification periods for participants are valid for three (3) years. Annually, the local agency or distribution site must:

  1. Verify the address and continued interest of the participant; and
  2. Have sufficient reason to determine that the participant still meets the income eligibility standards, which may include a determination that the participant has a fixed income.

Eligibility expires on the final day of the last month of certification periods. The local agency or distribution site must provide an expiration date to the participant upon request. The agency or site must notify in writing within 15 days of the participants expiration date, with the civil rights statement. If a participant becomes ineligible during the certification period, the local agency or distribution site will provide in writing with 15 days' notice of discontinuance, with civil rights and appeals statements.

OUTREACH PLAN

Outreach activities are conducted at the local agency level. Local agencies are encouraged to work with agencies such as Area Agencies on Aging and senior service program in the area to promote CSFP to serve caseload and maintain a wait list. Local agencies can access social service outlets, doctors' offices, hospitals, social security offices, senior citizen centers, churches, and unemployment offices when caseload is available.

USDA Foods may not be used for outreach, refreshments or for any purposes other than distribution to and nutrition education for CSFP participants. 7 CFR 247.10(d)

SYSTEM FOR STORING AND DISTRIBUTING USDA FOODS

USDA Foods are shipped directly to the local agency warehouse from the multi-food warehouse and from commercial food manufacturers under USDA contracts. The state submits and/or consolidates direct shipment requests into the web-based system and monitors all multi-food shipment requests placed into the web-based system by the Local agencies.

Local agencies are responsible for notifying the state of shipments received and storage of USDA Foods; the preparation and distribution/delivery of the food packages; and the certification of participants. Local agencies recruit and/or establish food distribution sites. Each site conforms to local, state, and federal health standards and enters into an agreement with the Local Agency to assure proper food handling, storing, and distribution procedures and recording requirements are maintained. Agreements must include, at a minimum, the items required in 7CFR 247.4.

Distribution sites, under agreement with the local agency, assure that adequate care and security is provided for the food while in their possession. Food packages are stored in adequate and secured areas at each distribution site to safeguard them from spoilage, infestation, fire, and other losses. These storage areas may also be used to store The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) or other USDA foods for local use and distribution, but must be inventoried separately. Inventory and distribution amounts, as well as participant data are reported monthly.

Participants pick up food packages at their designated distribution site once each month during the distribution site's normal hours of operation. At a minimum, staff /volunteers at the distribution site must verify eligibility and identity of recipients prior to distributing the food packages by requesting participant name (and proxy name, if applicable) and date of birth, and reconciling that with current eligibility logs. Local agencies may require additional verification steps prior to distribution, so long as those steps apply to each participant at each distribution.

NUTRITION EDUCATION

Nutrition education is used to assist the participant in using USDA foods appropriately. Local agencies are responsible for making nutrition education materials available to all participants. At a minimum, local agencies distribute nutrition education information with monthly food packages in the form of a flyer, newsletter, or handout. Education includes but is not limited to the nutritional value of the USDA Foods and the overall dietary needs of the individual.

DETECTION OF DUAL PARTICIPATION

Local agencies are required to establish safeguards against dual participation at more than one CSFP site at the same time by establishing procedures that identify participants who are participating in two different sites or by establishing specific service areas for each distribution site.

Local agencies check the identification of all applicants when they are certified or recertified. The Participant Application signed by the applicant, or the adult parent, caretaker, or designated proxy, includes a statement advising the applicant that s/he may not receive CSFP benefits at more than one CSFP site at the same time.

COST EFFECTIVE CLAIM STANDARDS

The Illinois Department of Human Services has established the following cost-effective claim standard: The pursuit of a claim against a participant to recover the value of USDA foods improperly received or used is cost-effective when the value exceeds $100 or 5 months of CSFP benefits. Local agencies are required to use this standard in determining if a claim is to be pursued and to pursue claims in accordance with 7 CFR 247.30 and the State Agency CSFP.

HOMEBOUND PARTICIPANTS

Local agencies are required to meet the needs of homebound participants and are encouraged to coordinate their efforts with the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the homebound "Meals on Wheels" program. Local agencies work with AAAs to identify potential homebound participants, conduct outreach, and to conduct certification and delivery of food packages.

Homebound applicants are given priority over non-homebound applicants when applications exceed the assigned caseload level. Local agencies allow designated proxies to pick up food packages for homebound participants.

COPIES OF AGREEMENTS

Local agencies and distribution site agencies are required to keep all agreements and program related documents on file for three (3) years plus the current year of operation. In addition, agencies must receive a letter in writing from the IDHS Bureau Chief before documents can be destroyed.