SNAP (food stamps / Link card) in Illinois — income limits, how to apply, and the special rules for people 60+

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, still called food stamps by many) is issued in Illinois on the Link card, which works at supermarkets, Asian grocery stores and for online grocery orders. Older adults often assume they are "not poor enough" or that "the amount is too small to bother" — but the rules for people 60 and older are considerably more favorable.

Income limits (estimated from the 2026 poverty guidelines, per month)

A "household" is the people who live together and buy and prepare meals together. An elderly parent living with adult children but shopping and cooking separately may count as a separate household — this makes a big difference to approval.

Illinois has no asset test for SNAP: money in savings does not disqualify you.

Why people 60+ qualify more easily and receive more

The benefit amount is based on net income after deductions. Households with a member 60+ or disabled get:

• The full shelter deduction with no cap (rent or mortgage plus utilities; other households have a capped deduction).
• A deduction for medical expenses over $35/month: the Part B premium, prescriptions, supplemental insurance, glasses, dental, transportation to appointments.
• No work requirement (from 2026, adults 18–64 without a disability and without a child under 14 must work or train 80 hours a month to receive more than 3 months).

As a result, many seniors with $1,300–$1,500 a month in Social Security still receive from a few dozen to over $200 a month. The maximum is about $298 for a one-person household and $546 for two (federal fiscal year 2026; adjusted every October).

Other requirements

• Illinois resident.
• U.S. citizen or qualified lawful permanent resident (a green card usually must be 5 years old, except for children, people receiving disability benefits, or those with 40 work quarters). Federal law tightened eligibility for some other immigration categories in late 2025 — ask us about your specific case.
• People receiving SSI/SSDI can still apply for SNAP.

How to apply

1. ABE (abe.illinois.gov), phone 1-800-843-6154, or a DHS office (FCRC).
2. Interview by phone (interpreters available). People 60+ can request a home interview or name an authorized representative.
3. Submit documents within 10 days: ID, green card, proof of income, rent, utility and gas bills, medical expenses.
4. Decision within 30 days; households with very little money may receive expedited benefits within 5 days.
5. The Link card is mailed to your home and loaded monthly. Periodic renewal (households made up entirely of people 60+ usually renew every 2–3 years).

How An Tax & Benefits helps

We estimate your benefit in advance, define the "household" correctly so the family gets the best outcome, gather the medical and shelter expense documents that are most often forgotten (and that lower the benefit when missing), file the application and sit in on the interview. Free of charge.