In Illinois
You can use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy food. The money comes from the federal government but is administered in Illinois by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Anyone who meets the requirements can get these benefits.
The most important rules in figuring out SNAP eligibility are:
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Monthly income;
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Size of household; and
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Expenses.
The income limits for SNAP depends on two things:
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The size of your SNAP unit and
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Whether anyone in your household is elderly or disabled.
Most households have to meet both a monthly gross income test and a monthly net income test to be eligible for SNAP benefits. Everyone who lives together and prepares meals together is grouped together as one SNAP unit.
Go to the Illinois Department of Human Services' SNAP calculator to see if you might be eligible for SNAP benefits. The calculator will also give you an idea of how much you would receive.
You can also see the limits on the DHS website.