The Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides supplemental income for purchasing food for low-income households. An eligible person or family receives an Illinois Link Card or an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which is used like any other debit card at the grocery store. The card uses money from a SNAP account set up for the eligible person or family to pay for food items.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Illinois
- Administering Program Name
- Illinois Department of Human Services
Are College Students Eligible for SNAP?
Students attending an institution of higher education, like a college, university, trade school, or technical school more than half-time areeligible for SNAP if they meet an exemption and meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements. You can ask your school what qualifies as “half-time.”
First, What Are Student Exemptions?
COVID-19 Temporary Update
As of January 16, 2021, a student is exempt if they meet one of the qualifications:
1) They are eligible to participate in state or federally financed work study during the regular school year. You school determines if you are eligible for work study
OR
2.) They have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 0 in the current academic year (based on the FASFA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
In addition to the temporary COVID-19 exemptions, students can always meet one of the following exemptions to qualify for SNAP:
- Are under age 18 or are age 49 or older.
- Have a physical or mental disability.
- Work at least 20 hours a week in paid employment.
- Participate in a state or federally financed work study program.
- Participate in an on-the-job training program.
- Care for a child under the age of 6.
- Care for a child age 6 to 11 and lack the necessary child care enabling you to attend school and work 20 hours a week or participate in work study.
- Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and taking care of a child under 12.
- Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance.
- Are enrolled in a TANF Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program.
- Are assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in a college or other institution of higher education through:
- A SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program;
- Certain other E&T programs for low-income households, which are operated by a state or local government and have an equivalent component to SNAP E&T;
- A program under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA);
- A Trade Adjustment Assistance Program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Second, What Are Income Requirements?
This chart shows the gross monthly eligibility standard based on family size considering 130% of the Federal Poverty Line, or FPL. The FPL is set by the federal government each year is calculated centered on family size and income. FPL determines eligibility for many federal and state public programs.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income (130% of FPL) | Net Monthly Income(100% of FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,396 | $1,074 |
| 2 | $1,888 | $1,452 |
| 3 | $2,379 | $1,830 |
| 4 | $2,871 | $2,209 |
| 5 | $3,363 | $2,587 |
| 6 | $3,855 | $2,965 |
| 7 | $4,347 | $3,344 |
| 8 | $4,839 | $3,722 |
| Each Additional Member | + $492 | + $379 |
How Do I Apply?
You don’t need to go to an office! You can apply online and receive your EBT card in the mail.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for SNAP is online through ABE (Application For Benefits Eligibility) at https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/
If you are eligible, you will be able to access your SNAP benefits no later than 30 days from the date the office received your application. However, there are instances when the interviews are waived, and you can receive a response within 15 days. If you have very little or no income for the month and you need help right away, you may qualify for SNAP benefits within 7 days.
Where/How to Use
SNAP benefits can only be used to buy food, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat.
You can use your EBT card to purchase food at any grocery store, farmers’ market, or online website that accepts SNAP like Aldi, Amazon, and Walmart.Visit www.dhs.state.il.us to learn more about shopping for groceries online with your SNAP benefits and more.
Use the map on the FreshEBT app to find grocery stores and farmers markets near you.
This page was last updated on October 12, 2021.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Illinois
- Administering Program Name
- Illinois Department of Human Services
Outreach Organizations
- Northern Illinois Food Bank (Geneva, Ill.) helps individuals fill out SNAP applications over the phone. Call 844-600-7627 or email [emailprotected]
- River Bend Food Bank (Davenport, Iowa) helps individuals apply for SNAP. Call SNAP Outreach Coordinator at 563-949-2071 or email [emailprotected].
- Peoria Area Food Bank (Peoria, Ill.) assists individuals applying for SNAP benefits. Text FOOD to 74544 or call (309) 213-4843 to get started. Contact Molly Laugherty, SNAP Outreach Specialist, at [emailprotected] for additional information.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository (Chicago, Ill.) assists individuals applying for SNAP. Call 773-843-5416 Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
- St. Louis Area Food Bank (St. Louis, Mo.) assists individuals applying for SNAP. Contact Melanie Hager, Illinois SNAP Outreach Coordinator, at 618-307-9541 or via email at [emailprotected]
