The Link system Manual del abogado

Benefits are provided on a "Link" card - an electronic card that looks like an ATM or credit card and is accepted at most grocery stores.

Once an application is approved, the Link card is mailed to a customer's home address by the Centralized Link Line. Only one Link card will be issued per SNAP unit. Once the head of the SNAP unit receives the card, they will be instructed to call and set up the card with a four-digit personal identification number (PIN).

Each month cash and/or SNAP benefits are credited to the recipient's account and issued to the Link card. Recipients can use the Link card at store Point of Sale terminals (POS terminals), which scan the card and deduct the amount of the purchase from the recipient's account. SNAP benefits are distinct from cash benefits in the recipient's account. Los beneficios de SNAP solo se pueden utilizar para la compra de alimentos. Los beneficiarios no pueden canjear los beneficios de SNAP.

If the Link system is down or a store's Link terminal is not working, vendors can have a recipient sign a voucher for the amount of purchase. For a voucher, however, the vendor has to call a central number to determine whether the recipient has sufficient funds to cover the purchase. A freeze is then placed on the account for the amount of the purchase. There is a $150 limit per voucher transaction. The recipient should keep a copy of the voucher for their records.

Recipients can obtain their account balance information on the Illinois Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Link Card website or by calling the Illinois Link Helpline at (800) 678-LINK (5465). SNAP benefits cannot be checked through an ATM. However, if a family receives cash benefits in addition to SNAP, those benefits will be administered on the same Link card. Cash benefits can be checked on an ATM but there are rules and fees associated with ATM use.

Through the online portal or Link hotline, recipients are able to do the following for free:

• Check Link account balance,
• Report a lost or stolen card,
• Order a replacement Link card,
• Select or change a PIN number,
• Check recent purchases or withdrawals for cash benefits, and
• Report a problem with a purchase or withdrawal.

In order to access an account, a recipient will need the 9-digit social security number and date of birth associated with the account and the 16-digit or 19-digit number printed on the front of the unit's Link card, or the 4-digit PIN. The social security number and date of birth are usually for the primary cardholder but may be for someone else in the case.

Recipients who lose or damage their Link cards must call the Illinois Link Line or go through the online portal to request a replacement card. The card will be mailed to their address. Their account will be frozen when the card is reported lost. When they receive the new card, they will be given instructions on how to call the Link Line to select their PIN number and reactivate the account. If a recipient loses or forgets their PIN number, they can get a new PIN by calling the Illinois Link Helpline (800) 678-5465.

Occasionally, benefits are expunged. If a case is canceled, the account remains open until:

• All benefits are used, or
• The account, cash, or SNAP benefits, has no withdrawal for 365 days.

For active cases, the account will be expunged if it is not accessed for 365 days after the benefit was issued. Use of SNAP benefits and cash benefits are tracked separately for units that received both.

Expunged benefits are no longer available to the recipient. If there is an outstanding overpayment claim against the recipient, the amount of benefits expunged will be credited toward the claim. Cash benefits will be credited for a cash overpayment; SNAP benefits will be credited for a SNAP overpayment.