Getting Started with SNAP

Transcription

1 Welcome to SNAP!

2 Contents Welcome to SNAP!...1 Getting Started with SNAP...2 What Can I Buy with My Link Card?...4 Where Can I Use My Link Card?...5 Frequently Asked SNAP Questions...6 How Do I Keep My Benefits?...8 Where Can I Get My SNAP Questions Answered?...9 Healthy Eating Is a SNAP! Welcome to SNAP! Congratulations. You are on your way to receiving SNAP benefits! SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as food stamps), provides a monthly benefit used to purchase groceries. SNAP benefits can save you at least $192 a year in grocery costs. Throughout this booklet, you will learn about SNAP and how it can help you purchase food.

3 SNAP Interview Getting Started with SNAP Within 3 to 4 weeks, you will receive a letter from your local Department of Human Services office (DHS) regarding your SNAP interview. This letter will have a date and time for your interview. A caseworker from DHS will call you at that scheduled time to verify that the information on your application is correct. It is important to mention all of your monthly expenses including your monthly medical bills. Please contact AgeOptions if you: Miss your SNAP interview Do not receive a call at the scheduled date and time or if you are asked to go to the office in person for your interview After your SNAP interview You will receive a letter from DHS that will explain your benefit amount and the date you will receive your benefit each month. You will receive your Link card in a separate letter 7 to 10 days after your interview. If you do not receive your Link card after 10 business days, please contact AgeOptions.

4 Activating your Link card Call (800) 678-Link (5465) You will choose a 4-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number). Choose a unique number that you will remember. You will use your PIN when making purchases. Keep your PIN safe and do not write it on your Link card Check the balance of your Link card Call (800) 678-Link (5465) or, Online, visit Link.illinois.gov/ilebtclient/login.recip Your Link card looks like this:

5 What Can I Buy with My Link Card? There are hundreds of items you can purchase with your Link card! You can purchase Fresh foods Frozen foods Refrigerated foods Food products that you can prepare at home (baking products, spices, etc.) Seeds and plants for gardens to produce food You CANNOT purchase Hot foods that are ready to eat Pet foods Alcohol Non-food items Paper products Tobacco Lottery tickets

6 Where Can I Use My Link Card? Local Grocery Stores Jewel Aldi Food-4-Less Mariano s Save-A-lot Walmart Bulk Stores Costco Sam s Club Small Stores Dollar stores 7-Eleven Gas stations Convenience stores & many more! Farmers Markets During the summer, Farmers Markets often accept SNAP, and some even offer a double value program where you can double your SNAP dollars just by shopping at a farmers market!

7 Frequently Asked SNAP Questions If I do not use all of my benefits this month, will I lose them? No. Benefits carry over, so you do not have to worry that if you don t use it, you ll lose it. If I lose my Link card, what should I do? Call (800) 678-Link (5465) to request a replacement card You will need to provide your Social Security number and PIN number to request your replacement My PIN number is I have a hard time getting out of the house. Can I send my Link card with a caregiver who can grocery shop for me? Yes. You can give your Link card to someone you trust who shops for you. Remember to tell them your PIN number! Can I change my PIN number? Contact the Illinois Link hotline at (800) 678-Link (5465) to change your PIN number.

8 Do I have to separate the items I am buying with my Link card at the register? No. Almost all grocery stores and markets will automatically separate your purchases at the point of sale. If you are purchasing non-snap items or your total exceeds the balance on your Link card, you will pay the remaining balance with cash, credit or debit card or check. My SNAP benefit changed, but I don t know why. What should I do? SNAP benefits are determined based on your income and expenses. If you did not report any changes, or if you receive a letter telling you your SNAP benefit changed for any reason, contact your local DHS office or AgeOptions to find out why. A medical bill or other expense may have been overlooked, and we can correct this.

9 How Do I Keep My Benefits? You will receive SNAP benefits each month for one year. It is important to open all your mail from the Department of Human Services. Each year you will have to complete a Redetermination Form to verify your continued eligibility and report any changes. Make sure you return your completed redetermination form to your local DHS office. If you have any medical bills, it is important at the time of your redetermination to include copies of these bills. Your medical bills can help determine the amount of your SNAP benefit. If you have questions about this process, please contact your local DHS office or AgeOptions. Please complete below: I receive my SNAP benefits on the of each month. I first started receiving SNAP benefits in (month) of (year). My redetermination should be due one year from now. My SNAP benefit amount is, and it will be loaded to my Link card each month

10 Where Can I Get My SNAP Questions Answered? Your Local DHS Office Administers SNAP This number is important to have if you would like to report a change in your case or if you have any questions about your case. Phone Your local DHS office is Call the Illinois Link Help Line (800) to Report lost or stolen Link card Check you SNAP balance Change your PIN Report a problem Check recent purchases Aging & Disability Resource Network This local agency has specialized staff who can provide in-person help applying for programs and options for services such as transportation, housing and more. Your local ADRN is Phone Call AgeOptions (708) if you Missed your SNAP interview Have questions about your SNAP benefit amount or changes to your case Are unable to reach contacts above

11 Healthy Eating Is a SNAP! Here are some budget-friendly tips to help you stretch your SNAP dollars: Shop for produce that is in season. This makes produce more affordable! For example, buy apples and squash in the fall and strawberries in the summer. Winter is a great time to purchase citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit. Shop the sales. Check your grocery store s ad for that week s deals. Stock up on pantry staples such as rice, beans and pasta when they are on sale. These items have a long shelf life and can provide nutritious meals when money is tight. Buy meat that s on sale and freeze it for future meals. Choose bread and pasta that are whole grain. These contain fiber, which helps you stay fuller longer. Plus, fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. Make a grocery list. Then stick to it! Avoid shopping hungry, so you don t make those impulse purchases.

12 Expression of Thanks Dedicated to the SNAP Program By Gladys Morris Being a senior with limited income I sought for help and I found some. Trying to stretch a dollar to make ends meet I found a flyer that couldn t be beat. AgeOptions it said to call I did not wait, I didn t stall. What a wonderful voice on the other end It was Elizabeth who became a friend. Now, old memories slowly fade What a difference in my life SNAP has made! What a wonderful program Is there an APP? For this wonderful program called SNAP!