Food stamps: Illinois December SNAP benefits worth up to $1,751 arrive for residents in three days

Illinois residents will begin receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in three days.

In Illinois, food stamps are sent out between the first and the 10th of the month for newer SNAP cases, and the first and the 20th of the month for older SNAP cases.

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Payments are distributed on the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 13th, 17th, and 20th of each month, with a household’s specific benefit arrival date based on the type of case and the case name. Those hoping to get more information on their SNAP benefits date can call Illinois’s SNAP hotline at 1-800-843-6154.

In Illinois, eligible recipients must be United States citizens or have qualified immigrant status for at least five years. Immigrants who have not lived in the U.S. that long may also qualify for benefits if they are children, pregnant women, or adults who have serious medical conditions.

The average payment per household member per month is $189. Approximately 1.98 million people, about 16% of the population, receive food stamps in Illinois.

A household of one can receive a maximum amount of $291, a household of five can receive a maximum of $1,155, and a household of eight can receive a maximum of $1,751. For each additional person, a household can receive a maximum of $219. These amounts are based on the recent cost-of-living adjustments for 2023-24.

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Benefits are loaded on to the Illinois Link Card, the state’s electronic benefits transfer card, which works similarly to a debit card and can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers.

The money is intended for purchasing groceries, snacks, fresh food, seeds, and plants. SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase nonfood household items, including tobacco products, alcohol, pet food, or prepared foods.