WHAT IS SNAP?

SNAP is a program provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP gives people struggling with low household income extra help buying food such as fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. SNAP is funded by the federal government and distributed by individual states. River Bend Food Bank can discuss SNAP eligibility, answer questions, and provide help applying for benefits if you live in our service area in Illinois or Iowa.

IL RESIDENTS: APPLY FOR SNAPIA RESIDENTS: APPLY FOR SNAPSNAP FAQs

DO I QUALIFY FOR SNAP BENEFITS?

If your monthly income falls under the maximum amount based on your household in the table below, you may be eligible for SNAP benefits.

*Some monthly expenses may be deducted and reduce your gross monthly income. If you live in Illinois, please contact the IL SNAP Helpline to answer questions. If you live in Iowa, please contact the Iowa HelpLine.

Iowa Residents:

Number of people in home:
Single/Family Monthly Gross Income*:

1

2

3

4

5

6

For each additional household member, add:

$1,813

$2,442

$3,072

$3,701

$4,330

$4,960

$631/month

Illinois Residents:

Number of people in home:
Households without disabled or elderly people (+60 years old) Maximum Monthly Gross Income *:
Households with disabled or elderly people (+60 years old) Maximum Monthly Allotment *:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

For each additional household member, add up to:

$2,005

$2,712

$3,419

$4,125

$4,832

$5,539

$6.246

$6,952

$707/month

$2,430

$3,286

$4,142

$4,998

$5,854

$6,710

$7,566

$8,422

$856/month

ALERT – BE AWARE OF SNAP SCAMS

Applicants: you will NEVER be charged a fee to apply for benefits. Be on the lookout for ads on the internet falsely offering to help fill out applications in exchange for any kind of fee.

The USDA and IDHS will NEVER text you to inform you of issues with your EBT benefits card. Any text messages you receive asking you to call a number to resolve an issue with your card is a phishing attempt to steal your PIN and card number.

The USDA encourages SNAP participants to take actions that may help prevent card skimming or unauthorized use of benefits. For example:

  • Keep your PIN secret. Do not share your PIN with anyone outside your household. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN on a machine.
  • Check your EBT account regularly for unauthorized charges. If you notice any, change your PIN immediately to stop the thief from making any new purchases.
  • Check card reading machines to make sure there’s nothing suspicious overlaid or attached to the card swiper or keypad. The overlays can be difficult to detect but are often bigger than the original machine and may hide parts of the machine.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027), found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of AgricultureOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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