Qualifications for the Illinois Link Card

The Department of Human Services (DHS) within the state of Illinois provides a Link card to the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women, single mothers and other individuals or families who meet certain income, health and employment guidelines. The Link card is used at grocery stores and other retailers as a debit card; qualified applicants receive either cash benefits for living expenses, money strictly for food, or both. Individuals who receive the Illinois Link card must meet several qualifications.

Application

• In order to qualify for the Illinois Link card, candidates must first fill out an application. Applications are available on the internet and at DHS (Department of Human Services) offices located throughout the state. Candidates can submit their applications online, in person or mail them in. Although the Illinois Link card application covers food, cash and medical benefits, only food and cash benefits are accessible with the card. An applicant should be prepared to disclose a large quantity of personal information, including name, address, phone number, social security number, birth date, citizenship status, race, income, rent and utility bill amounts, employer (if any) information, automobile (if any) information, and banking (if any) information. An applicant must also include the names, birth dates, citizenship statuses and social security numbers of all other household members, even if those individuals will not be receiving any Link card benefits. Failure to disclose any applicable information can result in the denial of Link card benefits.

Income Requirements

• The Illinois Link card provides recipients with money for food via the nationwide SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), as well as money for living expenses. To qualify for cash benefits, applicants are required to meet with their caseworkers to determine eligibility, and may be required to enroll in certain educational or employment assistance programs. In order to qualify for SNAP benefits, applicants may not exceed certain income levels based on the size of their households. Maximum household sizes and gross monthly income amounts are as follows: Household of one, $1,174; household of two, $1,579; household of three, $1,984; four, $2,389; five, $2,794; six, $3,200; seven, $3,605; eight, $4,010; nine, $4,416; 10, $4,822. Applicants calculating benefit amounts for households in excess of 10 people should figure an additional $406 per person.

Documentation

• In order to qualify for the Illinois Link card, applicants must bring documentation to their caseworkers verifying all the information presented in the benefit application. This includes a government-issued photo I.D., birth certificate and social security card of the applicant, as well as the birth certificates and social security cards of other family members included in the case. Applicants also need to provide rent and utility receipts, check stubs, bank statements and any other paperwork required to support the information presented in the Link card application.