SNAP Outreach Training - National Council on Aging€¦ · SNAP Outreach Training Handbook 7 APPLYING FOR SNAP Step 1: APPLICATION The SNAP application can also be used to apply for

SNAP Outreach Training Handbook 1

SNAP Outreach Training Handbook Updated December 2012


WHY IS SNAP IMPORTANT?

Protects families:

Client choice:

Entitlement Program:

Economic growth:

Reduces the burden on food pantries:


WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Eligibility is determined by 3 things:

HOUSEHOLD SIZE INCOME SPECIAL SNAP

SITUATIONS: A household is defined as the people that buy and prepare food together.

Important rules to remember:

Married couples must apply together

Children (age 22 and under) living with their parents must apply with their parents

Seniors (age 60 and older) can apply separately, even if they buy and prepare food with others

(See p.17 for FAQs about SNAP households)

Gross income (what you make before taxes and other deductions are taken out) determines your eligibility. Remember, eligibility is determined by monthly income, NOT employment status.

Seniors – age 60 and over.

Disabled – receiving government disability

o Supplemental Security

Income (SSI) o Social Security disability

benefits o Veteran’s disability

benefits o Medicaid for the

disabled o Other government

disability or retirement benefits available to people permanently disabled.

REMEMBER: Eligibility is a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question.


DETERMINING HOUSEHOLD ELIGIBILITY FOR SNAP BENEFITS NO YES

Yes

NO YES NO YES

Is any member of the household a senior (over 60 years old) or person with disabilities (receiving government disability)?

Household NOT eligible for SNAP

benefits

Is the household’s gross monthly income at or below the amounts listed on this chart

(130% Federal Poverty Level)?

Persons in Family or Household

Gross Monthly Income Limit

*

(before taxes and deductions)

1 $1,211

2 $1, 640

3 $2,069

4 $2, 498

5 $2, 927

6 $3, 356

7 $3, 785

Each additional person +$429

Household may be eligible for SNAP benefits and should

submit an application.

Household may be eligible for SNAP benefits and should

submit an application.

Household NOT eligible for SNAP

benefits

Is the household’s gross monthly income at or below the amounts listed on this chart

(200% Federal Poverty Level)?

Persons in Family or Household

Gross Monthly Income Limit

*

(before taxes and deductions)

1 $1, 862

2 $2, 522

3 $3, 182

4 $3, 842

5 $4, 502

6 $5,162

7 $5, 822

Each additional person +$660


OTHER SPECIAL CASES TO REMEMBER

IMMIGRANTS

• Citizens – ELIGIBLE

• Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs):

• LPR children (under 18) – ELIGIBLE • LPRs 18 and over – must have been an LPR

for 5+ years to be eligible

• Undocumented – NOT eligible

• Mixed eligibility households (households with

both citizens or LPRs and undocumented immigrants) can still apply

STUDENTS (College or other higher education)

• If the student is attending more than half-time:

• must be working at least 20 hours per week or more (in addition to school)

AND/OR • must be responsible more than 50% of the

time for a dependent child under age 6.

VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

• Victims of domestic violence are eligible for

SNAP and other public benefits under special rules, subject to the income guidelines.

FOSTER CHILDREN

• Applicants can choose whether or not to include

foster children/adults in their SNAP household. • If you include them, you must count any

payments from DCFS as part of your income (may affect your eligibility).

• If you exclude them, you do not have to count payments from DCFS as part of your income (may affect your benefit amount).

For more detailed information on special cases, see the Additional Resources section of this packet, on pages 17-22.


REMEMBER, APPLYING IS EASY AS ‘ADDING’

Step 2: Documents

Step 3: Deliver

Step 4: Interview

Step 6: Get

recertified

Step 5: Notification

Step 1: Application

6 Steps

Application

Documents

Deliver

Interview

Notification

Get recertified


APPLYING FOR SNAP Step 1: APPLICATION The SNAP application can also be used to apply for cash assistance and medical assistance (including Medicaid). While the applicant should try to fill out as much of the application as possible, it is always better to skip questions than guess or make something up. If need be, the applicant can always supply information to IDHS at a later time. Step 2: DOCUMENTS Make sure the applicant has all the verification documents needed to prove the information in the application is correct. The applicant should make copies of these documents and submit them with the application (when possible) and bring them to the interview. See p.7 of this packet for a list of verification documents. Step 3: DELIVER Completed applications and copies of verification documents must be submitted to an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) office. Applications can be submitted online, in person, or by fax. Step 4: INTERVIEW Applicants should receive a letter in the mail within 20 days of submitting their application that informs them of the date and time of their interview with a Department of Human Services (DHS) caseworker. If an applicant does not receive a letter, he/she should call or go to the DHS office to let them know. Remember, during the interview the DHS caseworker may ask the applicant about information supplied in the application. Applicants should remember to bring extra copies of verification documents to their interviews. Step 5: NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS The applicant should receive a letter in the mail with an eligibility decision within 30 days of submitting the application. If the applicant is eligible for SNAP benefits, the eligibility letter will inform him/her of the household’s monthly benefit amount. A LINK Card (electronic benefits card) should be sent by mail and arrive within 7-10 days, unless the letter instructs otherwise. Step 6: GO RECERTIFY After 6 to 12 months the applicant needs to recertify (renew) the household’s benefits. The applicant should receive instructions in the mail about how to do this. If the applicant does not receive such a letter, he/she should contact a caseworker at your local office.


VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS

Use this chart to find the documents needed for verifying a SNAP application and interview with the DHS office. Remember to always make COPIES of all documents and keep the originals in a safe place.

DOCUMENT TYPE: BRING THIS DOCUMENT IF: NEEDED FOR: EXAMPLES: IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED Head of household

(the person filling out the application on behalf of the household)

Driver’s license/state ID card

Voter registration card

Birth certificate

PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

REQUIRED Each person in the household

Social security card

An official document displaying a social security number

PROOF OF INCOME Anyone in your household has a job.

Each person in the household who is employed

Check stubs for the last 30 days from the date of your application

A letter from your employer indicating the amount per pay period

PROOF OF NON-WORK INCOME

Anyone in your household receives non-work income.

Each person in the household receiving non-work income

SSI, social security

Child support, spousal support

Unemployment, workers comp

Pension

ALIEN REGISTRATION NUMBER

Anyone in your household is a Legal Permanent Resident.

Each person in the household who is a Legal Permanent Resident

Green Card (also called alien ID card, permanent resident card, resident alien card)

MEDICAL EXPENSES Anyone in your household is receiving government disability or is age 60 or older.

Each person in the household over age 60 or receiving disability

Receipts or other documentation of any expenses not covered by insurance in excess of $35/month

CHILD SUPPORT Anyone in your household pays OR receives child support.

Each person in the household paying or receiving child support

Cancelled check for the most recent month

CHILD CARE Anyone in your household pays for child care or adult dependent care (daycare) so they can work.

Each person in the household paying for day care

Cancelled check or money order from the most recent month

Letter from provider stating how much you pay and how often

MEDICAL CARD Anyone in your household has a medical card.

Household Copy of the most recent card you received.

*As of June 13, 2011, a client no longer needs to verify housing expenses in Illinois,

but it will still be considered as a cost.


COMPLETING THE PAPER SNAP APPLICATION

This application can be used to apply for the following benefits:

SNAP

Cash Assistance

Medical Assistance including Medicaid

**If you are assisting someone who only wants to apply for SNAP, there are several pages that can be skipped**

REMEMBER: Fill out as much of the application as possible, but remember that it is better to skip questions if you do not know the answer than to guess or make something up. You can always supply the information later. BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Ask the applicant if he/she has ever applied for SNAP benefits before.

If he/she currently receives SNAP benefits, there is no need to proceed

If he/she has applied within the past 30-60 days, he/she has an open case with the Illinois Department of Human Service (IDHS) and should wait to find out the status of the open case before submitting another application

If he/she has not applied within the past 30 days, then go ahead and have them fill out the application

PAGE BY PAGE NOTES ABOUT THE APPLICATION: PAGE 1

Make sure the applicant completes: Name Present address Mailing address Telephone numbers

The ‘Previous Address’ question only needs to be filled out if the client previously applied for benefits at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) with a different address.

MAKE SURE THE APPLICANT SIGNS AND DATES THIS PAGE.

PAGE 2

Make sure the client fills in his/her name at the top of page 2.

Have the client indicate the citizenship status of members of the household.

If applicants are not citizens, ask if they are Legal Permanent Residents (do they have a green card). . If the applicants are LPRs who meet the residence requirement, then fill in the box for

“non-citizens who are applying for benefits”: “Arrival date” means the date when you became a Legal Permanent Resident “Registration number” means the number on his/her green card.


If there are undocumented immigrants in the household, their names can be entered in the next box where it says “persons who are not applying for food stamps and/or cash benefits because they do not wish to provide proof of their immigration status.” These individuals’ incomes will count towards the household’s total income, but they

cannot be awarded SNAP benefits themselves. An undocumented immigrant whose children are citizens can submit a food stamp

application on their behalf.

Households that do not speak English should be sure to answer questions #3-4 so that the IDHS office can try to accommodate their needs.

PAGE 3

Fill in questions #1-6 completely. Questions #3-5 are asked so that IDHS can avoid duplication and recreating a case that is

already open. Remember, assistance includes Medicaid.

Be sure to select “yes” in the box that asks “ARE YOU APPLYING FOR FOOD STAMPS?”

Be sure the applicant accurately answers how many people are in the SNAP household.

Make sure the applicant answers the question about type of interview. If any member of the SNAP household is employed, the applicant will automatically

receive a phone interview. Make sure to note the correct telephone number where he/she can be reached.

If no members of the SNAP household are employed, the applicant should select what type of interview he/she would like. If the applicant cannot go to the office and instead needs a telephone interview, make sure to check the reason why and give the correct telephone number where he/she can be reached.

Make sure the applicant completes the 5 questions at the bottom of the page. Remember, eligibility is determined by income, household size, and special SNAP situations, so be accurate and truthful. In this section, complete the question that says “How much money do you or anyone

who lives with you have in cash, checking, and/or savings?” This question cannot affect your eligibility, but is needed to make your application complete.

Gross income is the amount of money you receive before taxes and other fees are taken out.

PAGE 4

Make sure the applicant completes question #1 about monthly rent or mortgage payments. Remember, the cost of the mortgage includes property taxes and insurance.

If the applicant answers YES to question #2, then skip to page 5.

If the applicant answers NO to question #2, then you must help them complete all of question #3.


PAGE 5

The chart on this page must be completely filled out for ALL members of the applicant’s SNAP household. The number of people listed here in rows 1-6 should be the same number you listed for

the SNAP household on page 3. Remember, this list should include any undocumented immigrants that are part of the

SNAP household (leave the box for ‘social security number’ blank).

The applicant’s information goes in row #1.

Information about each member of the household should be entered separately in rows 2-6. Attach an additional sheet of paper if there are more than 6 people in the SNAP

household.

PAGE 6

If the applicant is interested in applying for medical benefits (including Medicaid) then help him/her fill out the box at the top of the page (questions #1 a-g). In the state of Illinois, insurance is available for:

Children under 18 years of age through All Kids. All Kids is an Illinois program for children who need health insurance

The legal custodians of children under 18 years of age may be available through FamilyCare, but eligibility is dependent on income.

Adults over the age of 65 through Medicare or Medicaid (based on income and assets).

Those receiving disability through Medicaid (based on income and assets). If the applicant is NOT interested in applying for medical benefits, then skip to question #2.

Answer question #2 about employment in the household. Complete this information and attach proof of employment for all persons employed in the SNAP household for the past month. If more than two people are employed, attach a separate piece of paper that lists the

employer information for the other members of the household.

Answer question #3 for anyone in the SNAP household who gets money from sources other than employment. Complete this information and attach proof of the unearned income received over the past month. This unearned income can be from sources such as Social Security, child support,

spousal support, rental property, unemployment benefits, workers compensation, pensions, retirement, or trusts.

If more than two people in the household receive unearned income, attach a separate piece of paper that lists the unearned income for the other members of the household.

Answer question #4 if anyone in the SNAP household pays child support or spousal support. Complete this information and attach proof of the child/spousal support paid over the past month.


If more than two people in the household are paying child/spousal support, attach a separate piece of paper that lists the child/spousal support payments for the other members of the household.

Answer question #5 if anyone in the SNAP household pays for daycare so they can work. Complete this information and attach proof of the daycare payments paid over the past month. If more than two people in the household are paying for daycare so they can work,

attach an additional sheet of paper listing their daycare payments.

PAGE 7

If the applicant is interested in applying for the All Kids/Family Care Rebate, then help him/her fill out this page and answer as many questions as possible.

The All Kids/Family Care Rebate is a monthly rebate for private or employer-sponsored healthcare through All Kids. Families qualify for the rebate based income. Visit http://www.allkids.com/about.html for more information about benefits and eligibility. If the applicant is NOT interested in applying for the rebate, then skip to page 8.

PAGE 8-10

Have the applicant read these pages or read them out loud to him/her. Make sure he/she understands all of the rights, regulations, and penalties.

You do not need to submit pages 8-10 to IDHS, so you can give these pages to the applicant to keep for his/her records.

PAGE 11

HAVE THE APPLICANT SIGN AND DATE THE APPLICATION HERE.

Only sign as a witness if the applicant signs with an ‘X.’

http://www.allkids.com/about.html


COMPLETING THE ONLINE SNAP APPLICATION

You can submit a SNAP application on any computer with Internet access.

1. Go to: https://wb.dhs.illinois.gov/wbpublic/register/wb/wbHomePre.do

2. Scroll down and click on the button: This will connect you to the Facts About Applying Online webpage.

3. Read through the Facts About Applying webpage and scroll down.

Click on: to begin.

4. Create a Password you will remember (example: smith012) **Your password must be 8 characters long with at least 4 letters and 1 number**

5. Click on: to receive your Household ID & Password.

WRITE IT DOWN AND SAVE IT!

6. Click on:

7. Fill in User ID and Password. Click on:

8. The Application has six steps.

1) My Information: name, address and other info 2) People: everyone in your household (Household = everyone who buys and prepares food

together) 3) Money: how much your household receives from work (earned income) and other sources

(Social Security, Unemployment, SSI, VA, Child Support, Disability, etc.) 4) Expenses: how much your household spends on rent and utilities 5) Health Insurance: any health insurance you have 6) Submit Application: review your application, read rights and responsibilities and submit

application

9. Go through each section and answer each question completely! To continue, click on the bottom right corner of the page.

Each section will automatically save after clicking on Next.

10. To save and continue later, click at the bottom of any page and then select

Save and Return Later from the choices.

11. After all sections are complete, you can review your application in full by clicking on Remember to also read your Rights & Responsibilities!

Info About Applying Online

Start My Application

Create New Application

Logon and Start My Application

Login

Next

Quit Application

Review My Application

https://wb.dhs.illinois.gov/wbpublic/register/wb/wbHomePre.do


12. After you have reviewed application, check that you have read your rights and responsibilities and submit application by clicking . This will act as your electronic signature.

13. The application may take a few minutes to process.

14. Once the application is received, a confirmation page will appear. This page contains your confirmation number, nearest DHS office & a list of documents needed for your interview. It also lists other assistance that you may be interested in.

PRINT THIS CONFIRMATION PAGE!

15. Your application should take about 20 minutes to complete depending on the size of your

household. Once submitted, you will receive a letter in the mail with your interview date, time and documents needed within approximately 14 days.

Household ID # _________________________

Password ______________________________

Confirmation # __________________________

Submit


SNAP Outreach Strategies

There are many things you can do to help your clients’ access SNAP benefits. Here are some ideas:

Hang posters.

Distribute fliers and brochures with information about SNAP benefits.

Provide applications.

Help clients understand how the application process works.

Help clients understand whether or not they are eligible.

Help clients fill out SNAP applications.

Help clients make copies of their verification documents.

Provide transportation for clients that need to visit or turn in applications to their local IDHS office.

Follow-up with clients throughout the application process and provide assistance if they run into problems.


SNAP Trouble Shooting Tips Here are some ideas of problems clients might face in the SNAP application process and possible responses. Problems:

I dropped off an application but haven’t heard back from the office.

I received a letter saying my SNAP benefits would be reduced/cancelled.

I sent in the information that they requested, but they said they never received it.

The IDHS (Illinois Department of Human Services) staff said I don’t qualify.

I called my local office, but I couldn’t seem to get through to anyone that could answer my questions.

I missed my appointment with my caseworker. Responses: In general, it is best if the client can work directly with their local office to resolve a problem. Sometimes the client just needs to follow-up and comply with requests from their caseworker and you can advise them to do so. There is no special advocacy that can be offered if a person just doesn’t qualify for a program or doesn’t receive the amount of benefits that they would like. You can only do so much to assist the client, and ultimately the decision is up to DHS. Here are some responses you can offer:

If the person submitted an application over 60 days prior and hasn’t heard anything, they should resubmit an application.

If food stamp benefits were cancelled over 30 days prior, they should resubmit an application.

Ask if they have called or stopped by the office to inquire about the situation.

Ask if they have talked to their caseworker yet.

Offer the phone number to the office if they don’t have it.

In some cases, NIFB SNAP Outreach team may have alternate contact names or phone numbers we can offer the client if they can’t reach their caseworker or get through to the office.

Ask if they have asked to speak with their caseworker’s manager.

In some cases, you can make a note of the person’s name, contact information and case number if applicable, and you can then offer to send an e-mail to the office requesting that someone follow-up with the client.

o Let the client know that your even though you’re sending an email, he/she should still try to continue to resolve the issue directly with the office.

More complex cases can be referred to one of the following organizations: o The Illinois Hunger Coalition’s Hunger Hotline: (800) 359-2163


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SNAP HOUSEHOLDS A SNAP household includes any person that you live with who “purchases and prepares” food with you. “Purchase and prepare” means that you buy your food with some or all of the people you live with, even if they do not actually do the shopping or the cooking. You must include the income of every member of your SNAP household in the food stamp application, even if they are not eligible to receive SNAP benefits. Remember:

Married couples must apply together

Children (age 22 and under) living with their parents must apply with their parents, even if they are married or have a child of their own

Seniors (age 60 and older) can apply separately, even if they buy and prepare food with others

Q: Do I have to be related to someone for them to be part of my SNAP household? A: No. As long as you live together and share food, you are considered a single SNAP

household. Q: If I live with someone, but we buy our food separately, can I apply alone? A: In most cases, yes. Remember though, if you are under the age of 22 and live with your

parents (even if you are completely financially independent) or if you are married and living with your spouse, you MUST apply together as one household.

Q: I have foster children. Do I need to include them in my application? A: No. You can choose to exclude foster children as well as the income they receive from DCFS.

However, if you want to include the foster children as part of your SNAP household, the DCFS income must be counted.

Q: Do I have to include the undocumented people who live with me in my SNAP application? A: Even if a person is undocumented, they are still part of your SNAP household as long as they

live with you and share resources to purchase food. It will benefit your household to include more people in the food stamp household, even if not everyone is eligible to receive SNAP benefits.

Q: I have an infant who does not eat solid food. Do I include the baby in my SNAP

household? A: Yes, you should.


SNAP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS

A student enrolled half-time or more in an institution of higher education is INELIGIBLE for SNAP benefits unless the student is:

Under the age of 18 or over the age of 50 Disabled—receiving SSI, SSDI, or other disability compensation Working a paid job at least 20 hours per week Approved to participate in a state or federal work-study program for the school term

and expecting to work in a state or federal work-study program during that time Receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits Responsible for the care of a child under age 6 Responsible for the care of a child age 6 – 11 and does not have adequate child care

available to him/her to attend class and work 20 hours per week (or take part in a work-study program)

enrolled in

TANF Work and Training activities or SNAP Employment and Training Program (SNAP E & T) or

a program under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) or taking part in a paid on-the-job training program through their employer.

A person is considered a student of higher education if he/she is enrolled in:

A business, technical, trade, or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma for enrollment or

Regular courses, including internet, mail, self-study, or correspondence courses, at an accredited college or university that offers degree programs.

A college or university student is not a student of higher education if they are only enrolled in a special program, such as English as a second language, Adult Basic Education, Literacy, GED, or community education courses.


SNAP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NONCITIZENS

All U.S. citizens either by birth or by naturalization may qualify for SNAP. Citizens by birth include:

Persons born in the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Also considered citizens are U.S. nationals from American Samoa, Swain's Island, and North Mariana Island.

Children born in a foreign country to a U.S. citizen who was born in the U.S. A naturalized citizen is a person born outside the U.S. who gained citizenship through Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). People temporarily in the U.S. such as diplomats, students, tourists, and visitors do not qualify for SNAP benefits, Cash, or Medical benefits. People who are not citizens, but meet certain types of INS status may be eligible for SNAP benefits. Certain ineligible non-citizens may qualify for other medical benefits as well. You may be eligible for SNAP benefits if you are:

A refugee or asylee

A Cuban/Haitian entrant or an Amerasian immigrant

A person whose deportation has been withheld

Certain victims of domestic violence or immigrant trafficking

An Iraqi or Afghan immigrant with special immigrant status

If you entered the US as one of the above categories and then became a Legal Permanent Resident, you are eligible for SNAP benefits (no residence requirement). Eligibility for Legal Permanent Residents (green card holders):

Children (under age 18), disabled, or blind non-citizens who are Legal Permanent Residents are eligible for SNAP benefits.

Adult Legal Permanent Residents (age 18 and older) must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years to be eligible.

IMPORTANT: Even if you are not eligible for SNAP, you can still get benefits for your children if they meet the citizenship criteria!

If you are not eligible for SNAP benefits, but want to apply for your children, you will have to give proof of your children’s INS status, but not your own. You will not be asked for proof of your INS status and you will not be reported to INS.


SNAP ELIGIBILITY FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you may be eligible for SNAP and other public benefits under special rules as long as you meet the income and asset guidelines. Domestic Violence means that you and/or your children have been battered or treated with extreme cruelty. This includes:

Physical acts that result in, or threatened to result in, physical injury to you or your child

Physical injury to you or your child

Sexual activity involving a dependent child

Being forced to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities

Threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual acts

Mental abuse

Neglect or deprivation of medical care

When there is a fear of physical or emotional harm to you or your child due to domestic violence.

YOU DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF that you are a victim of domestic violence. The caseworker should take your word for it.

**You and your children are eligible to receive SNAP benefits EVEN IF YOU ARE INCLUDED IN A SNAP CASE WITH YOUR ABUSER.

The income and assets of the abuser that you left will not be included in the calculation of your SNAP benefits. **

If you are living in a shelter for battered women and children:

If the shelter for where you are living also serves people who are not victims of domestic violence, you must be staying in a section of the shelter set aside on a long-term basis for battered women and children only. You may also be staying in a private home that is an extension of the shelter.

Residents of shelters for battered women and children are entitled to expedited (emergency) service. This means that you are entitled to receive your SNAP benefits within five working days, instead of waiting for 30 days.

Residents of the shelter are considered living in the county or area where the shelter is located and must file their application at the local office that serves the shelter.

All your information and your location must be kept confidential according to SNAP policy. The address of the shelter where you are staying, notices, letters, and benefits may be sent to the local office for pick-up or to the shelter’s post office box.


SNAP ELIGIBILITY FOR HOMELESS PERSONS Homeless people have the same rights under SNAP eligibility as people who have a permanent home. A person is considered homeless if he/she:

Has no fixed regular place to sleep at night OR

The place he/she sleeps at night is one of the following: o A shelter o A halfway house that doesn’t provide meals o The home of someone else if he/she is there for less than 90 days o A place where people do not usually sleep such as a doorway, a lobby, a bus station, a

hallway, or a subway Example: Fred is unemployed and stays with different family members and friends. He is never able to stay in any one place for more than 90 days (about 3 months), but sometimes the person he is staying with provides meals for him. In this case, Fred is considered homeless and is eligible for SNAP benefits. Someone who is homeless is entitled to SNAP benefits, even if he/she:

Does not have a permanent mailing address. Homeless clients do not need to provide proof of their place of residence.

Lives in a nonprofit homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter, even if the shelter provides meals.

Does not have a place to cook or store food.

Do not have a Photo ID. *He/she can prove their identity by providing a birth certificate, pay stub, or school record.* A “collateral contact,” someone who knows the client and can verify certain information, can also be used to verify identity.

Example: Sharon is living at a domestic violence shelter but doesn’t have a form of identification. In this case, a staff member from the shelter can verify her identity by writing a letter to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

Other things to know:

Many homeless people are eligible for “expedited” SNAP benefits because they have very low or no income. IDHS should approve or deny a food stamp application within 5 days of submission instead of the normal 30 days if the client is eligible for expedited service.

Homeless people have the right to submit their application at the local IDHS office of their choice. Remember though, once the case is processed, the person must stay at that office unless he/she takes the steps to officially transfer their case to a different office.


Northern Illinois Food Bank 273 Dearborn Court

Geneva, IL 60134 (630) 443-6910

www.solvehungertoday.org

Need food? Enter your zip code to find a food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter in your county: http://solvehungertoday.org/GetHelp/INeedFood.aspx

http://www.solvehungertoday.org/

http://www.northernilfoodbank.org/GetHelp/AgencyLocator.aspx