Health & Benefits

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The Big Picture

All Illinois students have a right to attend school for free, but most public schools also ask students to pay fees for certain things. These might include fees for:

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"SNAP" stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program helps low-income people pay for food. Benefits are provided on a "Link" card.

To get a Link card, follow the steps below.

Fill out your Application for Food Stamps, Cash, or Medical Assistance online. You can also print out a copy of the application or fill one out at your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office. These offices are also known as Family Community Resource Centers (FCRC).

There is also an application for emergency or expedited SNAP benefits. This is available if you are in an emergency situation and cannot wait 30 days to receive benefits.

After completing and signing the application, you must mail, fax, or hand-deliver it back to the DHS Office. If you need help with your application, you can call the toll-free Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) Help Line at (800) 843-6154 or (800) 324-5553 (TTY).

Once your application is received, you will be asked to go to the office for an interview. Most interviews are in person. If you are unable to leave your home, interviews may be done by telephone.

At your interview, or soon after, you will need to provide DHS with documentation of your:

• Identity,
• Proof of Social Security numbers for all of the people on the application,
• Residence,
• Income,
• Assets, and
• Expenses.

This may include pay stubs, utility bills, rent receipts, etc. Depending on your circumstances, additional documentation may be required.

Once your application is processed, you will get a written decision telling you if you have been approved for food stamps. If so, the letter will tell you what amount you will receive.

Applications are available online through the ABE website. The online application allows an applicant to submit a single application for multiple programs:

It also lets you upload and submit verification documents.

Your application can then be tracked using the Manage My Case (MMC) feature on the ABE website.

You will get a letter telling you if DHS has approved or denied your application. If you are approved, the letter will tell you the total money you will receive each month. If you need your benefits sooner than 30 days, use this link to apply for emergency or expedited SNAP benefits.

If you are denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The notice from DHS should contain information about how to appeal the decision.

If you are approved for SNAP benefits, your household will be mailed a Link card. This card has the SNAP benefits money on it. Every month food stamps will be electronically placed on the card. If you receive cash benefits as well as SNAP benefits, your cash benefits will also be placed on this same Link card. You can use the card at Link terminals in certain grocery stores, which scan the card and deduct the amount of the purchase from your account. SNAP benefits are different from TANF cash benefits in the recipient’s account. SNAP benefits can only be used for food purchases. Recipients cannot cash in SNAP benefits.

You can call (800) 678-LINK or go to the ABE website to:

• Check your benefits balance,
• Select a PIN,
• See your card use history,
• Report a lost, stolen, or damaged LINK card, or
• Request a replacement card.

After you start getting food stamps, you may need to report certain changes. Examples include changes in:

• Income,
• Address, or
• The number of people living in your house.

You will need to report any change that could impact your SNAP eligibility or the amount of SNAP you receive. You must report this within 10 days of the change.