What is SNAP?
To qualify for SNAP, a household’s total gross monthly income must be less than 165% of the federal poverty limit. A “household” is anyone living together who regularly purchases and prepares meals together.
Certain people must be considered in the same household for the purposes of SNAP, including:
- Parents and children up to age 22 IF they live together
- Minors under 18 years old living with an adult caretaker
- Spouses who live together must be on the same SNAP account
Note: You may not sell your SNAP benefits to someone else.
SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products (such as cigars, cigarettes, and/or e-cigarettes)
- Soap
- Paper products
- Vitamins
- Medicines
- Prepared foods
- Non-food items (except seeds and plants)
Are you eligible?
You may be able to get SNAP benefits in Illinois for you and your family if you:
- Live in Illinois
- Have been a U.S. citizen OR legal permanent resident for 5 years or more.
Some people with special types of visas may qualify for SNAP.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may still apply for benefits for your child if they are a U.S. citizen. - Meet the income requirement:
*Gross income is your total monthly income from all sources before any tax deductions. These amounts are only guidelines and do not apply to all households. The maximum income is higher if you are over 60 or disabled.
How to apply for SNAP
You can apply for SNAP benefits one of four ways:
Have the names, social security numbers, birthdates, and income for you and your household members available before starting the application. If you are only applying on behalf of your child who is a U.S. citizen, you do not need to provide your social security number.
After you apply, IDHS may contact you for a follow-up interview to provide income and identity documents or other information.
If you are homeless:
- The application will ask if you are homeless. If you respond “yes,” your application should process faster.
- You can still apply for your own SNAP account if you are doubled-up (couch surfing or sharing the housing of others) as long as:
- You are over 18 years old.
- You are staying temporarily.
- You are responsible for providing your own food and meals.
- You do not need a phone number or mailing address to apply for SNAP.
- You can use the local IDHS office as a mailing address.
TIP: If you do not have a phone or mailing address, you should complete the application in person at the local office or over the phone (if you can access one). Ask if you could pick up your LINK card at the office.
If you are an unaccompanied young person:
- If you are over 18, you can apply for SNAP on your own if you do not live with a parent or guardian.
- If you are under 18, you can apply on your own if you are experiencing homelessness and are not under the care or control of an adult. If you are still on a parent or guardian’s SNAP account, you can ask IDHS to remove you from their account so you can apply independently for your own benefits.
