State of Illinois
Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is a federal nutrition program run by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).This program is for people who need help buying food for themselves and their children.
SNAP benefits are delivered electronically through the Illinois Link card to help buy food.
How to apply for SNAP benefits
If you do not have enough money to buy food for yourself and your family and want to apply for the SNAP program, you can file or print an application on-line at www.dhs.state.il.us. You can take, mail or fax the application to your IDHS office. The web site can tell which office serves your area.
You can also go to your local IDHS office and apply for SNAP benefits. At your interview, an employee will ask you questions and enter your answers into a computer. You will be given a computer printout with your answers on it to sign. This is your SNAP application. If you are physically unable to come into the local IDHS office, an application will be mailed to you upon request.
If IDHS finds you eligible for SNAP benefits, you will be covered from the date your signed application is received.
Anyone can apply. You do not have to be receiving help from other IDHS programs to apply for SNAP benefits.
If you have questions or do not know where your local IDHS office is, call us toll free at 1-800-843-6154 (voice) or (866) 324-5553 TTY/Nextalk or 711 TTY Relay. An IDHS representative will give you the address and telephone number of your local office. If you are physically unable to go to the office, a caseworker will call you on the telephone and interview you.
Information to take with you when you apply
When you apply for SNAP benefits, your caseworker will ask to see:
- Proof of the identity of the person making application
- Social Security numbers for you and your household members
- Paycheck stubs if you work, or proof of any other income or payments you receive.
If you need help getting this information, your caseworker will help you. This information will help your caseworker understand your family situation better and figure out how much money you have available.
IDHS will review your SNAP application and all the information you give your caseworker. This may take up to 30 days. If your application is approved, you will receive SNAP benefits each month.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits
You may be able to get SNAP benefits in Illinois for you and your family if you:
- Are a United States citizen or meet certain nonresident requirements (ask your caseworker about these requirements) and
- Live in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Human Services will decide if your household is eligible. Your household usually includes just you and your family. However, if other people live with you, they may also be included. Your caseworker will tell you who IDHS considers to be part of your household.
If you are homeless
You may receive SNAP benefits even if you don't have an address but live in Illinois. If you are eligible, IDHS will make sure you get your benefits.
Your rights in the SNAP program
When you apply for and receive SNAPbenefits, you have the right to:
- Be given or mailed an application the same day of your request
- Have your signed SNAP application accepted immediately
- Be issued SNAP benefits within a few days if you are in immediate need and are qualified for faster service
- Be notified in writing before your SNAP benefits are reduced or terminated
- Appeal any decisions made by IDHS
- Receive SNAP materials in Spanish and have an agency employee interpret for you if the adults in your family are fluent in Spanish but not in English, and you live in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Rock Island, Will or Winnebago Counties or you are a migrant farm worker in a county with a sufficient number of migrants.
If your application is turned down
If your SNAP application is turned down, you can appeal and ask for a fair hearing. At the hearing, you can explain why you think your application should be approved.
For more information about your right to appeal and receive a fair hearing, ask your caseworker or call IDHS toll free at 1-800-843-6154 (voice) or or (866) 324-5553 TTY/Nextalk or 711 TTY Relay.
How the amount of SNAP benefits is determined
The amount of SNAP benefits you will get each month is based on the size of your household, your income and your allowable expenses.
Your caseworker will decide your allowable expenses by adding up the amount you are charged each month for your rent or mortgage, property taxes, owners' home insurance, utility bills, child care, child support payments and in some cases the medical bills of anyone in your household who is elderly or has a disability.
The SNAP benefits your household receives depend on the size of your household and the income you have left after your caseworker subtracts allowable deductions.
What SNAP benefits will buy
You can use SNAP to buy most food items. You can also buy plants and seeds to grow food. You cannot use your SNAP to buy hot prepared foods or non-food items. For more information about what you can and cannot buy with your SNAP benefits, ask the store where you buy your groceries or call IDHS toll free at 1-800-843-6154 (voice) or (866) 324-5553 TTY/Nextalk or 711 TTY Relay.
SNAP and other IDHS benefits
If you receive SNAP benefits, you will not lose the money you receive from other IDHS programs.
How to stay eligible for SNAP benefits
Tell IDHS when you move
Tell your caseworker when you move so we can send important information to your new address. If you are homeless, tell your caseworker where you can be reached. If your caseworker cannot find you, your SNAP benefits will stop.
Keep your appointments with your caseworker
Try to keep all your appointments with your caseworker. If you cannot keep an appointment, tell your caseworker right away. Your caseworker will work with you to set up another appointment
Report changes in your family situation
Tell your caseworker if there are any changes in your family size or the amount of money you receive (income). A change may affect your SNAP benefits.
The law states that you must tell the department the truth about your family situation so that you get the right amount of SNAP benefits. You may face penalties if you break this law or help others to break it.
Other food and nutrition programs
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program
The WIC program is a special food program for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers and for infants and children up to age 5. The program can provide you with extra food that is good for you and information about eating right. It can help you stay healthy and help your child grow and develop properly by providing foods that contain vitamins and other important things the body needs.
For more information about WIC, call 1-800-323-4769, (voice and TTY).
The Emergency Food Program
The Emergency Food Program provides food to food pantries and soup kitchens for people who have run out of food or have an emergency need for food. For the location of the nearest food pantry and/or soup kitchen in your area, call IDHS toll free at 1-800-843-6154 (voice) or (866) 324-5553 TTY/Nextalk or 711 TTY Relay.
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, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 ( TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
IDHS 124D (R-09-24) SNAP Program Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.
