Program Description
The Food Stamp Program was designed to help end hunger and improve nutrition and health. It helps low-income households buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. The Department of Human Services administers the program in Illinois. Food stamp benefits can be used to buy any food or food product for human consumption, plus seeds and plants for use in home gardens to produce food. Benefits are provided through The Illinois Link System, an electronic system that allows someone to use a plastic card, similar to a bank card, at grocery store terminals. Most households with low income can get food stamp benefits. The rules are complex, so all of the details are not here. If you are planning to apply for Food Stamps, you may want to use the pre-screening tool, provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, to help you estimate what you may be eligible to receive. However, just like GovBenefits.gov, the USDA screening tool cannot determine your eligibility. Only your local office can tell you whether you are eligible and how much you will receive. The application process begins the day your local Department of Human Services office receives your signed application. You will be asked to come into the office for an interview, or you may be interviewed over the phone if you are unable to go to the office. When you apply, you will be asked to participate in an interview, provide proof of your identity and residence, and a Social Security number for everyone in your household who has one. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide proof of income, assets, housing costs, citizenship or immigration status, and any child support orders. Your worker in the local office will tell you what proofs are needed.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Illinois and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself). For either group, you must also have an annual household income of less than $13,284 if one person lives in the household; $17,808 if two people live in the household; $22,332 if three people live in the household; $26,856 if four people live in the household; $31,380 if five people live in the household; $35,904 if six people live in the household; $40,428 if seven people live in the household; or $44,952 if more than seven people live in the household.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
Contact the local Department of Human Services office where you
live to apply for the Food Stamp Program. To locate the office nearest you,
visit our Web site:
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/OfficeLocator/
You can also visit our Web site to download an application in
English or Spanish and directions for how to submit an
application:
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30357
For more information, contact the DHS 24-Hour Telephone
hotline:
800 843-6154
Visit the USDA pre-screening tool at:
http://www.snap-step1.usda.gov/fns/
A TTY line for the deaf is available at:
800 447-6404
Managing Agency
Illinois
http://www.state.il.us
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