Food & Nutrition
Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
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You may be eligible to receive

$158/month

in SNAP benefits. Click to apply online below and get help paying for food.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, helps many older adults, people with disabilities, and families in Illinois pay for food. 

If you're approved for SNAP benefits, the government will issue your funds through an electronic benefits card (EBT card). This card (called the Illinois Link Card) looks and works just like a prepaid debit card, with a unique 16-digit account number and a magnetic strip on the back. Your card can be used at most grocery stores, convenience stores, superstores, wholesale retailers, and even farmers markets in Illinois to buy SNAP-approved food items. You can also make SNAP purchases on Amazon.

Frequently asked questions

How does Illinois SNAP work?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once known as Food Stamps, is run by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). IDHS offices across the state provide local support for people who receive SNAP and other types of public assistance. 

SNAP can help you stretch your grocery dollars further every month. This is because the money you would have spent on groceries can now be spent on other basic living costs like your utility bills, prescriptions, and medical bills. There are many items that are SNAP-eligible, and then others that are not covered under your benefits.

What is the SNAP application process like in Illinois?

While the idea of applying for SNAP may seem overwhelming, it’s not as complicated as you might think. And, you don’t have to apply all by yourself. If you need help, a friend, family member, or IDHS caseworker can assist you. Generally, here are the steps to apply for Illinois SNAP:

  1. Check your eligibility: Use the IDHS online screening tool to see if you may be eligible for SNAP benefits.
  2. Fill out an application: You can apply for Illinois SNAP online, by mail or fax, or in person. Completing the application takes about 30 minutes. Note: No documentation is necessary to start the application process and secure a benefit start date. 
  3. Have an interview: You must have a phone or in-person interview with an IDHS caseworker once your local office receives your application. 
  4. Wait for a decision: Most Illinois SNAP applications are processed within 30 days from the date on your application. If you have an urgent need for food, you may be able to have your application processed faster.
  5. Receive your EBT card: If you’re approved for SNAP benefits, you will receive your Illinois Link Card in the mail with a guide on how to use it.

How do I know if I am eligible for SNAP?

You can apply for all the people living in your home who buy and fix meals with you (defined as a “household”). To get SNAP, your household must meet the following basic guidelines:

  • All applicants must be a resident of Illinois. 
  • All applicants must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present non-citizen.
  • All able-bodied adults, with certain exceptions, must register for work and accept suitable employment.
  • The household must meet certain income and asset limits.
  • All applicants must have a Social Security number (or proof they have applied for one).

The amount of money you will get in Illinois SNAP benefits depends on:

  • How much you earn from your job or other income you receive, like Social Security
  • How many people live with you

What are the Illinois SNAP income limits?

The chart below shows the maximum monthly gross and net income households can earn and still get SNAP benefits. Most households in Illinois must meet both a gross income test and a net income test to be eligible for SNAP benefits. The gross income limit for most households is 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For households with older members or members with a disability, the gross income limit is 200% FPL.

What do the terms “gross” and “net” mean? 

  • Gross monthly income is the amount before taxes or other deductions are taken out.
  • Net monthly income is what is left of gross income after certain allowable expenses are subtracted. 

These figures are effective for 2024 (Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2025). You can use the site you’re currently on to check your eligibility—just scroll up and click on the black button that says ‘See If You May Be Eligible.’

Family size Maximum net monthly income (100% FPL)
1 $ 1,255
2 $ 1,704
3 $ 2,152
4 $ 2,600
5 $ 3,049
For each additional person, add: +$ 449

You may qualify for deductions that reduce your countable income. This can help your household meet the SNAP income limit. An IDHS caseworker can tell you which deductions your household qualifies for. Common deductions include:

  • 20% earned income deduction
  • Standard deduction based on household size
  • Dependent care deduction
  • Medical expenses for older household members (60+) or members with a disability 
  • Legally owed child support payments
  • Allowable deductions for utilities, rent, and mortgage/interest/property taxes 

What are the Illinois SNAP asset (resource) limits?

Assets refer to the resources and property your household owns that can be converted into cash (e.g., cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate). The SNAP asset limit in Illinois is $4,250 if at least one member in the household is a qualifying member (such as people age 60+ or with a disability). The asset limit is $2,750 for all other SNAP households without a qualifying member.

You can check your eligibility using the IDHS website screening tool to see if you may be eligible for SNAP benefits.

How do I prepare to apply?

When you apply for Illinois SNAP, you’ll be asked for important information to help determine if you qualify and the amount you can get each month. Before you start, gather some basic information to make your application process easier: 

  • Full names and dates of birth for everyone applying for benefits
  • Social Security numbers for everyone applying (if Social Security numbers are pending, provide the date of application)
  • Address of where you live
  • Information about all of the income everyone receives
  • If someone applying for benefits is not a U.S. citizen, have the Non-Citizen Registration Numbers
  • Amount of child or spousal support paid
  • Housing and utility costs (e.g., rent, mortgage, gas, electric, phone)
  • Amount paid for care of a child or an adult with a disability

Examples of documents you may need to verify (prove) the information above include:

  • Driver's license or other government-issued ID 
  • Birth certificate 
  • Bank statements
  • Pension statements
  • Social Security statements 
  • Pay stubs
  • Tax returns
  • Social Security card
  • Proof of household expenses (such as utility and phone bills)
  • Marriage license or divorce decree
  • For those age 60+ or with a disability: billing statements, mileage or transportation costs to/from medical appointments, itemized receipts for medical expenses (prescription drugs, medical supplies, etc.)

If you would like to have someone else (like a friend or family member) help you gather the necessary documents, complete your SNAP application, and even join you in your interview, you can name that person as your Authorized Representative in your application.  

How do I apply for SNAP in Illinois

There are several ways to apply for Illinois SNAP. Read below to learn more about which option might be right for you. 
 
APPLY ONLINE

The quickest and easiest way to apply for SNAP in Illinois is through the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) portal. You’ll be glad to know when you do, all your personal information is kept 100% confidential and protected by special security technology.

Apply through ABE Portal

To apply online:

  • Visit the ABE portal and click ‘Apply for Benefits.’
    • If you have an ABE account, click ‘Login’ and enter your username and password. 
    • If you do not have an account, we recommend creating one by clicking ‘Login’ and then ‘Create an Account.’ This will allow you to save your progress and return at any time to complete your application and manage your benefits. 
  • Once you have logged in, check the box next to ‘Start a new application for Health care coverage, SNAP, Cash Assistance, and/or Medicare Savings Program’ and then click ‘Next.’
  • Read through the information on the next screen and click ‘Next.’
  • Follow the prompts to complete the online SNAP application. It should take you about 30 minutes. 

Tips for success:

APPLY IN PERSON, BY MAIL, OR FAX

To apply in person, by mail, or by fax, you will first need a paper application. Below, you will find the Illinois benefits application that you can download and print out at home:

Once you have completed the SNAP application, you may take, mail, or fax it to the nearest IDHS office. Find a location near you to request contact information.

What if I need food assistance right away?

You may be able to get Illinois SNAP benefits sooner (within 5 days from the date on your application) if your food needs are urgent. You can receive expedited (faster) SNAP assistance if you meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • Your gross income and assets are less than your monthly rent or mortgage payment and the appropriate utility standard.
  • Your assets are less than $100, and your monthly income for the month of application is less than $150.
  • Your assets are less than $100, and at least one person applying is a migrant caseworker who does not expect to earn at least $25 in the next 10 days.

Need food today? Visit the Feeding Illinois website to find food banks and other resources in your area while you wait for your Illinois SNAP application to be processed.

How can I get help with my application?

There are several ways to get help filling out your Illinois SNAP application. You can:

NCOA also has a HelpLine you can call to get free support. To get started today, call 1-855-534-1245. 

What happens after I apply for SNAP in Illinois?

It can take up to 30 days for IDHS to process your SNAP application (within 5 days if you’re requesting expedited benefits). If you’re approved, the date you submit your application is the earliest date your benefits can begin.

After your application is received, you will be contacted for an interview with an IDHS caseworker. This can be done face-to-face or over the phone. To make sure you don't miss a letter or call from your local IDHS office, it's important to check your mail regularly and pick up the phone (even for calls from “unknown” or blocked numbers). It’s also important to keep all appointments with your caseworker; if you cannot make a phone or in-person appointment, please let your caseworker know right away.

What can I expect during my SNAP interview?

Don’t worry—the purpose of the interview is not to try to disqualify you for benefits. It is simply to double-check the information you already provided. In addition, your IDHS caseworker can tell you more about the program, answer any questions, and help you get any information or documents you’re having trouble providing. 

During your SNAP interview, you may be asked questions such as:

  • What is your full name and birthday?
  • What is your Social Security number?
  • Where do you live? (You can still qualify if you are houseless.)
  • Are you a U.S. citizen? (You may still qualify if you are a noncitizen.)
  • What is your monthly income?
  • Do you pay utilities, such as an electric bill or cable TV bill?
  • What other regular bills do you have?

It’s a good idea to practice answering these questions before your interview, either in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend or family member. That way, you will feel less nervous and be able to respond with confidence.

Once all requested information is received and your application is reviewed, you will get a letter in the mail telling you if you were approved or denied for SNAP benefits. If you are approved, the notice will tell you the amount of benefits approved, when benefits will start, and the amount of income and deductions used to make the decision. If you are denied, the notice will tell you the reason why.

What happens after I am approved for SNAP?

If you are approved for Illinois SNAP, the letter you receive will explain your monthly benefits amount and how long you’ll get benefits for (this is called your “certification period”). For most households in Illinois, that period is 12 months.

Shortly after you are approved for SNAP, you will receive your Illinois Link Card in the mail with instructions on how to activate and use it. The card will be pre-loaded with your first month of benefits. Going forward, benefits will be deposited into your account between the 1st and the 10th of the month, depending on the last digit of your head of household's individual identification number. 

Other important tips to know

What if my Illinois SNAP application is denied? 

If your application for SNAP is denied, and you disagree with the reason for this decision, you have the right to appeal the decision and request a fair hearing. At your SNAP hearing, you can explain why you think your application should be approved.

How can I view my SNAP benefits information? 

Visit the ABE portal to upload documents, view SNAP notices and details about your benefits, view and reschedule appointments, file and manage your appeals, and sign up for text alerts.

How do I manage my Illinois EBT card?

To create or change your EBT card PIN number, check the balance on your card, or report a lost or stolen card, you can register your card on the Illinois Link Card Website (ebtEDGE.com) or the mobile app ebtEDGE (available in the App Store). You can also call the number on the back of your Link Card: 1-800-678-5465.

Do I need to report changes to my household situation?

Changes in your situation must be reported to your IDHS caseworker within 10 days of the time you learn of the change. Examples of reportable changes include:Change in household income

  • Change in household size
  • Change in address

When should you renew your SNAP benefits in Illinois?

You must renew your Illinois SNAP benefits before your certification period ends to keep receiving benefits. You’ll get a notice in the mail when it’s time to renew along with instructions on how to do so.

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See What Key Benefits Programs You May Qualify For

BenefitsCheckUp helps assess whether you can get help from programs before you apply. Answer questions anonymously to find out if you may be eligible for key benefits assistance, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) - Extra Help, among others. 

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