Illinois Food Stamp Qualifications

Everyone needs wholesome food.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), colloquially called food stamps, is a government program designed to help low-income individuals and families afford wholesome foods. SNAP is managed by Food Nutrition Services under the banner of the United State Department of Agriculture, but is managed on a state level. Each state has rules and requirements for who may receive assistance, and the state of Illinois is no exception.

Qualifying

Use the online calculator to see if you qualify.

Not everyone is eligible to receive supplemental nutrition assistance. Eligibility is determined by the total household income, number of dependents, rent, insurance and taxes, and child support (if applicable). Illinois has a food stamp eligibility calculator on its website, and utilizing this tool is the first step to finding out whether or not your household qualifies for assistance.

In order to use the calculator you must have a list of expenses and gross monthly income. Once the figures are entered, the calculator tells you how much you can expect to receive in monthly benefits.

Rules

Follow the rules to ensure continued benefits.

There are certain groups of people who are federally prohibited from receiving any benefit from the SNAP program. These include most boarders, certain non-citizens and people in certain institutions.

There are also limitations on what can be purchased with SNAP funds. Any food or food product for human consumption, including seeds to grow one's own produce, may be purchased with food stamps. Foods that are not allowed are: hot foods that are ready to eat, food heated in the store, lunch counter items, pet food, vitamins, alcohol and tobacco.

Unemployed persons applying for SNAP must agree to look for paying work, supply proof of information when requested and immediately report any change in finances.

Applying

Fill out the form as completely as possible.

Applications can be filed electronically on or paper. Both applications are available on the Illinois Department of Human Services website. Fill out the application as completely as possible, leaving questions that you are unable to answer blank. Carry, mail, or fax the completed application to your local Family Community Resource Center.

Once the application is processed, you will be asked to come in for an interview with a caseworker, and he or she will explain the rest of the process.

References

• Illnois Department of Human Resources: SNAP Program
• Illnois Department of Human Resources: Elegibility Calculator
• Illnois Department of Human Resources: Applications