The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Link) helps individuals and families purchase groceries.
There are some eligibility requirements for income, employment, and citizenship, as well as There is simplified enrollment for older adults and individuals with a disability.
SNAP benefits are distributed monthly on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. Each month, participants receive a dollar amount to spend on grocery foods at authorized retail stores.
The amount of benefit you receive depends on your household income and expenses and the number of people in your household.
SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase non-food items.
To be eligible for SNAP, you must meet both the gross income requirement and net income requirement.
For most households, gross income (income before taxes) must be under 165 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Gross income includes all income from your job or self-employment, and other income like social security, disability, child support, worker’s comp, unemployment, and pension income.
For households with someone over 60 or someone with a disability, your gross income must be under 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level:
For all households, net income after deducting for qualifying expenses such as housing and child care must be below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level:
Learn more about some of the expenses that can be deducted to calculate net income.
There is no age requirement to qualify for SNAP.
Adults age 18 to 52* who are able to work and do not have dependents must meet work requirements or they are subject to time limits.
*Starting October 1, 2024, these rules apply to people age 18-54.
SNAP is the only nutrition program with a citizenship requirement.
Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible for SNAP if they are:
If you are not eligible for SNAP due to your immigration status, you can still apply on behalf of your children if they are eligible.
If your citizenship status qualifies you for SNAP, you can apply for yourself even if others in your household are not eligible because of their immigration status.
SNAP is not considered toward the public charge test. Applying for or receiving benefits will not affect your immigration status.
Adults ages 18 to 52 must meet work requirements unless they have dependent children, a disability, or qualify for an exemption. These adults are considered Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). ABAWDs who do not meet work requirements are limited to only three months of SNAP benefits in a three year period.
For more information on work requirements and exemptions, see our FAQs below or visit the USDA website.
You can apply for SNAP in person, over the phone, or online. In some communities, community based organizations provide application assistance.
Apply in person at an Illinois Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center.
Apply by phone by calling 800-843-6154
Apply online at the Illinois Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE).
Proof of Identity
State ID or Driver’s License, Photo ID such as work or school ID or birth certificate. If you don’t have proof of ID or Address, you can have someone write a statement on your behalf affirming your identity and Illinois residency.
Proof of Residency
State ID or Driver’s License, Utility Bill, Lease, Piece of mail from the last 30 days, collateral statement.
Proof of Income for Last 30 Days
Check stubs, Employer Letter, Pension Statement.
Proof of Citizenship/Immigration Status
You only have to provide proof of your immigration status if you are applying for benefits for yourself. You do not have to provide your immigration status if you are applying on behalf of your children.
Proof of Medical Expenses
Older adults and individuals with disabilities can deduct their medical expenses (including Medicare premiums) on their application.
Illinois residents can complete an online screener to estimate how much in monthly SNAP benefits you are eligible for.
SNAP/Link participants can purchase groceries online for home delivery or curbside pick up. SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees, driver tips, or bag fees. Depending on the retailer, SNAP participants can qualify for free delivery if they meet minimum order amounts, otherwise SNAP participants must pay for delivery using another form of payment. Learn more about which Illinois retailers provide SNAP online shopping and how to use your SNAP benefits to shop online.
SNAP benefits can be redeemed in participating farmers’ markets. Explore a list of participating farmers’ markets in Illinois.
Through the new SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), older adults, people with a disability, and the unhoused are eligible to use their benefits to purchase hot meals from participating restaurants in two Illinois counties. Learn whether you might be eligible to use your SNAP benefits in restaurants.
If you are age 18–52*, able to work, and don’t have any dependents, you are subject to a work requirement and time limit. Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWDs) need to meet work requirements, otherwise they are limited to only 3 months of SNAP benefits in a 3 year period.
*Starting October 1, 2024, these rules apply to people age 18-54.
You can meet the ABAWD work requirement by doing any one of these things:
You are excused from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit if you are any one of these things:
To get SNAP again, you must meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period or become excused from the requirement. Otherwise, you need to wait until the end of your 3 year period, when you will get another 3 months of SNAP benefits under the time limit.
SNAP is not considered part of the public charge rule and applying for SNAP for yourself or a family member will NOT hurt your immigration status.
There are ways to apply in your native language. If you apply by phone or in person, you can request translation services. In some communities, there may be organizations who can answer questions or help with enrollment in your native language.
If your children are legal permanent residents or U.S. citizens, you can enroll them in SNAP, even if you are undocumented or do not qualify. You will have to fill out an application and provide income information for everyone in the household to determine whether your family meets income requirements. But you only have to provide a social security number and immigration status for the household members you are requesting benefits for. You don’t have to share immigration status for individuals in your household who aren’t applying for benefits.
Having savings doesn’t disqualify you. You can apply for SNAP even if you have money in the bank.
SNAP is there for everyone. If you apply for SNAP, it won’t take away benefits from someone else.
Illinois SNAP participants qualify for free perks and discounts.
There are several programs that support families with children, from pregnancy through high school. Learn about nutrition programs for families with children.
Several grocery and meal programs are available to support nutrition for adults over age 60. Learn about nutrition programs for older adults.
There is a lot of misinformation about how citizenship impacts eligibility for nutrition programs, including whether participating in a nutrition program will impact future immigration status. Make sure you have accurate information so you can make the best decision for you and your family. Learn about nutrition programs for immigrant households.