Health & Benefits

You might be able to get more Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits depending on your individual living situation. Here are some times when your benefits could increase: 

Separate SNAP units

People who live together and generally buy and prepare their food together are one SNAP unit (also known as a SNAP household). If you buy and prepare food separately, in many cases, you may be a separate SNAP unit. Separate SNAP units will generally get more benefits than if everyone is combined. People who reside in shelters or in residential drug rehabilitation programs may qualify for separate unit status. 

Certain people cannot be a separate SNAP unit. For example, spouses, and most parents and their children under age 22, must be included in the same SNAP unit. 

"Elderly disabled status"

A person who meets "elderly disabled status" and lives with others can be a separate SNAP unit from any other people in the household. You or your spouse must be 60 or older. You must not be able to buy and prepare food due to a severe and permanent disability. The people you live with must have income below limits set by the Illinois Department of Human Services. This limit is currently less than 165% of the federal poverty guideline.

Child support payments 

If you pay court-ordered child support for children not living with you, your income for SNAP purposes may be adjusted.