Elegibilidad para SNAP Manual del abogado

To qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, a person must be financially eligible and meet all non-financial eligibility rules. Una persona no tiene que recibir dinero en efectivo o beneficios médicos para recibir SNAP. La elegibilidad para los beneficios de SNAP se determina por las "Unidades de Beneficio".

Unidades de Beneficio

La elegibilidad para SNAP se determina por las unidades de SNAP. Una unidad de SNAP es una persona o un grupo de personas que normalmente compran y preparan sus alimentos juntos. SNAP policy and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) policy differ regarding who must be included in a unit, so SNAP and TANF units are not always the same.

Las siguientes personas que viven juntas deben incluirse en la misma unidad de SNAP:

• Cónyuges,
• Any person under age 18 and under the parental control of an adult Any person 18 years old or over unit member who is not their parent (except for foster children), and
• Un padre y sus hijos que están bajo 22 (a menos que afirmen que viven separados y no comparten espacio vital).

Foster children can be included or excluded from the household at the request of the foster parent.

Elderly Disabled Status Rule

Elderly persons aged 60 and over (and spouses) unable to purchase and prepare their own meals because of a permanent disability can apply for SNAP as a separate unit even though they are living and eating with others, provided that the gross income Income before taxes are taken out of persons who live (excluding the spouse) with them does not exceed 165% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Roomers and boarders are not considered as part of the SNAP unit if they pay reasonable compensation Payment for work done or damage suffered for their room and board.

Las personas que residen en refugios o en programas residenciales de rehabilitación de drogas pueden calificar para el estado de unidad separada.

Ineligibilidad de los no ciudadanos

To qualify for SNAP, a person must be a US citizen or must have a specific type of immigration status. Not all immigrants with lawful status are eligible for SNAP. Los inmigrantes indocumentados nunca han sido elegibles para los beneficios de SNAP.

Las personas que están temporalmente en los EE. UU., como diplomáticos, estudiantes, turistas y visitantes, no califican para los beneficios de SNAP. Las principales categorías de no ciudadanos elegibles son:

• Lawful permanent residents (LPRs or green card holders) who have lived in the US for at least five years,
• Ciertos otros LPR sin un período de espera,
• Ciertos entrantes cubanos o haitianos,
• Las personas que viven en Micronesia, las islas Marshall o Palau, y
• Nacionales no ciudadanos de EE. UU.

Please note that on July 4, 2025, H.R. 1 (also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) was passed that significantly narrowed the categories of non-citizens who were eligible for SNAP. For example, refugees and asylees were previously eligible for SNAP.

Noncitizens whose children are US citizens or eligible non-citizens can apply for SNAP benefits for their children regardless of their own status. Los padres que solicitan beneficios en nombre de sus hijos están obligados a informar sus ingresos, pero no tienen que informar su estado de inmigración. La solicitud en línea preguntará qué miembros del hogar están solicitando beneficios. Cualquier persona que no desee informar su estado debe desmarcar su nombre en esta sección.

Tenga en cuenta que si tiene un cliente que no califica para SNAP según los criterios de elegibilidad anteriores, aún podría calificar para Asistencia en Efectivo y Alimentos para Víctimas No Ciudadanas de Tráfico, Tortura u otros crímenes graves (VTTC)>  Este programa está destinado a las víctimas de solicitantes de asilo, de visa U y de visa T. 

Estudiantes

A student enrolled in an institute of higher education at least half-time is eligible for SNAP if they meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Under age 18 or over age 50,
• Physically or mentally impaired,
• Working in a paid job an average of 20 hours a week and earning at least the federal minimum wage,
• Approved to participate in state or federal work-study program and expecting to work in the work-study program during that time,
• Receiving TANF benefits,
• Responsible for the care of a unit member under age six, but only one adult in the SNAP unit may claim this exemption; when there is more than one adult in the home, the student must provide the majority of childcare to meet this requirement,
• Responsible for the care of a unit member age 6 through 11 without adequate childcare available to allow the student to attend classes and work an average of 20 hours per week or participate in work study,
  • Childcare is adequate and the student is ineligible when the child(ren) receive at least 24 hours of childcare per week, and time spent in school does not count as childcare, or
  • There is someone in the SNAP unit age 18 or older, other than the student, who is available to provide the care. A person who is physically or mentally impaired is not considered available to provide childcare,
• Enrolled full-time in a school of higher education, and is a single parent or person providing parental control whose spouse is not in the home, and is responsible for the care of a unit member under age 12, regardless of childcare eligibility, or
• Inscrito a través de las actividades de trabajo y capacitación de TANF, o el Programa de Empleo y Capacitación de SNAP.

La Opiniones de la Corte Suprema y de Apelaciones de Illinois (ISAC) debe identificar y marcar a todos los estudiantes universitarios que puedan ser elegibles para recibir beneficios de SNAP. El Departamento de Servicios Humanos determinará la elegibilidad para SNAP utilizando, entre otras cosas, la información que el estudiante universitario proporcionó en su solicitud gratuita de ayuda federal para estudiantes (FAFSA).

ISAC debe notificar a las instituciones de educación superior cuando sus estudiantes son elegibles para SNAP. Cualquier institución de Illinois que participe en el Programa de Laudos Monetarios (MAP) debe, a su vez, informar a cada uno de sus estudiantes aceptados o inscritos sobre su elegibilidad. Si es posible, la institución también debe designar a un enlace de beneficios públicos o a otra persona de contacto para ayudar a los estudiantes elegibles a obtener los beneficios de SNAP.

Un instituto de educación superior se define como una escuela de negocios, técnica, comercial o vocacional que normalmente requiere un diploma de escuela secundaria o su equivalente para inscribirse en el curso de estudio; o cursos regulares, incluyendo internet, correo, autoestudio o cursos por correspondencia, en un colegio o universidad acreditada que ofrezca programas de grado. Un curso se considera un curso regular si cuenta para un título o certificado, pero el estudiante no necesita estar en un programa de grado o certificado. Un estudiante de universidad o colegio inscrito únicamente en un programa de alfabetización, educación básica para adultos, GED o inglés como segundo idioma no se considera un estudiante bajo esta regla.

La exención para estudiantes elegibles comienza el mes en que inicia el período escolar, o el mes en que se aprueba el trabajo y estudio estatal o federal, lo que ocurra más tarde. La exención continúa hasta el final del mes en que termina el ciclo escolar, o el estudiante rechaza una tarea.

La exención para estudiantes elegibles no continúa entre períodos cuando hay un descanso de un mes completo o más. La exención continúa si el estudiante trabaja en una asignación de estudio y trabajo estatal o federal durante el descanso. Para calificar durante el descanso, el estudiante debe seguir cumpliendo con uno de los elementos anteriores.

Residents in an institution are not eligible for SNAP. Dorms are considered institutions if they provide students the majority of meals, meaning 50% or more of three meals daily through either a mandatory or optional meal plan. If a student can demonstrate the dorm doesn't provide a majority, they may otherwise be eligible if they meet other requirements. 

Residencia

No se requiere residencia fija y las personas sin hogar son elegibles. Los vacacionistas no son elegibles. Una persona no puede recibir beneficios en más de un hogar en ningún mes de pago.

La verificación de residencia no es obligatoria para personas sin hogar, pero el DHS debe contar con los recursos para administrar los beneficios para personas sin hogar.

Número de Seguro Social requerido

SNAP units must provide a social security number A number that the federal government gives to each U.S. citizen. It keeps track of their earnings and retirement benefits. for each unit member. Persons for whom no social security number is provided without good cause A legally acceptable reason to do something are ineligible for SNAP. A una unidad no se le debe negar el SNAP si está en el proceso de obtener un SSN.

Work rules

There are two work rules that must be met to qualify for SNAP benefits. IDHS has existing work provisions (formerly called "work registration") for people between the ages of 16 and 59. As of February 1, 2026, certain SNAP recipients must also comply with new work requirements. These requirements were introduced by H.R. 1 on July 4, 2025. SNAP recipients must comply with both work policies, unless they qualify for an exemption. 

Existing work provisions

Under the work provisions policy, SNAP recipients must register with IDHS to find work and provide IDHS information about their employment status. They must also accept a suitable job if offered one, and must not voluntarily quit or reduce their hours below 30 hours per week without good cause. The IDHS Policy manual contains the full list of requirements.

There are some exemptions to the work provisions. For example, if a SNAP recipient is also receiving TANF and complying with the TANF work and training program requirements, they are exempt from the SNAP work provisions. People who are physically or mentally unable to work, people who are responsible for caring for an incapacitated person, and people who are receiving unemployment compensation are all exempt from the work provisions requirements. The IDHS policy manual contains the full list of exemptions.

Si el jefe de la unidad de SNAP renuncia voluntariamente a un trabajo, reduce sus horas de trabajo o participa en una huelga sin una causa justificada dentro de los 60 días anteriores o en cualquier momento después de que solicite SNAP, toda la unidad puede ser sancionada.

Quitting a job does not affect eligibility if:

• There was good cause for quitting the job,
• The job called for working less than 20 hours per week,
• Gross weekly earnings including tips were less than the federal minimum wage times 20 hours,
• The person quit the job more than 60 days before the date of application,
• The employer reduced the number of hours of work,
• It was due to the ending of a self-employment business,
• The employer demanded the person resign from the job, or
• The person quit a job to start a new job for at least the same wages The amount of money that a person is paid for work they do or hours and was laid off or lost the new job through no fault of their own.

Una reducción voluntaria de las horas de trabajo a menos de 30 horas por semana no afecta la elegibilidad si:

• There was good cause for reducing work hours,
• The hours are reduced by the employer,
• The reduction in hours is due to the ending of a self-employment business, or
• El empleador exigió que la persona renunciara o que redujera sus horas.

A person who violates any of the SNAP work provisions without good cause is sanctioned from receiving SNAP benefits for:

New work requirements

On July 4, 2025, H.R. 1 introduced new work requirements for SNAP eligibility. H.R. 1 narrowed the exceptions for  “able-bodied adults without dependents,” or ABAWDs.

Beginning February 1, 2026, ABAWDs in Illinois must complete at least 80 hours per month of one or more of the following:

• Trabaja por salario, a tiempo parcial o tiempo completo,
• Voluntariado en una organización aprobada, o
• Participación en un programa de capacitación laboral o empleo.

An ABAWD may not have to meet the rule if they:

• Are unfit to work (e.g. they have mental or physical limitations that impacts their ability to work, or are experiencing chronic homelessness, domestic violence, Harm by one household or family member against another household or family member. Harm may be an emotional, mental, or physical injury or other barriers),
• ¿Está embarazada?
• ¿Cuidas de un niño menor de 14 años o de alguien con discapacidad,
• Participa regularmente en un programa de tratamiento y rehabilitación de adicción a las drogas o al alcohol,
• ¿Es usted un estudiante matriculado al menos a medio tiempo en una institución de educación superior?
• Un nativo americano, indio urbano o indio de California, tal como se describe en la Ley de mejora de la atención sanitaria indígena,
• Trabaja al menos 30 horas a la semana o gana al menos $217.50 por semana o $935 mensuales, incluyendo a trabajadores por cuenta propia, trabajadores por contrato migrantes y temporales, y voluntarios de AmeriCorp VISTA, o
• Viva en una zona con una exención temporal Un documento que renuncia a un derecho legal o excusa un requisito debido a una tasa de desempleo superior al 10%. As of February 2026, there are no areas in Illinois with this waiver.

If a person fails to meet the ABAWD work requirements for three consecutive months in a three-year period, then their SNAP benefits will stop. The current 36-month time period began January 1, 2024 and ends December 31, 2026. A new 36-month period will begin on January 1, 2027.

For example, if a person is not working, volunteering, or in a training program starting in February 2026, they can get benefits for February, March, and April. If they still don’t meet the rule by April 2026, they won't receive SNAP benefits in May 2026.

If they did not work in February 2026 or March 2026, but resumed employment in April 2026, they will not have an interruption in their benefits.

To get SNAP after a disruption in benefits, a person must meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period or become excused from the ABAWD work requirements.

Programa de empleo y capacitación

A voluntary SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Program operates in designated areas of the State that have SNAP E&T Job Placement Cases in which youth are removed from their homes and placed elsewhere Provider slots available. The Family Community Resource Center (FCRCs) in the designated areas will refer nonexempt customers to the providers to the extent that slots are available and ensure that provider slots are filled each month on a first come, first serve Giving court documents to someone basis.

Los clientes en E&T participan en una o más de las siguientes actividades:

• Basic education,
• Vocational training,
• Job readiness only as part of another countable activity,
• Job search only as part of another countable activity,
• Work experience,
• Earnfare*, or
• Community work.

*Note: the Earnfare program is limited to adults who receive SNAP benefits and volunteer, or to persons who are court-ordered to participate.

Intentional Program Violations

Intentional Program Violations (IPV) can also result in a suspension A temporary stop of a law of SNAP benefits for: 

Elegibilidad financiera

Bienes

Most units do not have their assets Anything a person owns that has financial value counted when applying for SNAP. Sin embargo, las unidades que tienen un miembro que ha sido descalificado por una violación intencional del programa o que ha sido sancionado por no cumplir con una disposición laboral están sujetas a límites de activos.

Para las unidades sin un miembro calificado, el límite de activos es $3,000. Para las unidades con al menos un miembro calificado, el límite es $4,500. Para obtener una lista completa de los bienes indultados y no indultados, consulte el Manual de Políticas del DHS.

Ingresos

El ingreso máximo que una unidad de SNAP puede tener y seguir siendo elegible para SNAP depende del tamaño y la composición de la unidad. Un hogar sin un "miembro calificado" debe tener un ingreso bruto que sea igual o inferior al 165% del Nivel Federal de Pobreza. 

If a SNAP unit contains a person who is elderly, disabled, or a United States veteran, referred to as a "qualifying member," then the SNAP unit gross income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. 

Consulte la Guía de Acción para Trabajadores del DHS para conocer los límites más recientes.

Gross income for a SNAP unit consists of all non-exempt income for the unit. Todos los ingresos deben ser verificados y se debe documentar la cantidad y la fuente en el registro del caso. La recepción de beneficios de SNAP no es ingreso y no reduce la cantidad de beneficios que se reciben de otros programas de asistencia pública. Consulte el Manual de Políticas de Illinois para obtener una lista completa de exenciones y definiciones.

Para determinar la elegibilidad, el Departamento calculará el ingreso dos veces, tanto bruto como neto.  Para obtener más información sobre cómo el Departamento calcula el ingreso bruto, consulte "Determinar el monto del beneficio de SNAP" a continuación.

Miembros calificados

Para ser considerado un miembro calificado, una persona debe cumplir con uno de los siguientes criterios:

• Is 60 years of age or older,

• Receives Supplemental Security Income A federal program that gives money to low-income elderly, blind and disabled people on a monthly basis (SSI) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, including a member who receives SSI pending a final decision from the Social Security Administration. This type of SSI is provided on a temporary or emergency basis,

• Receives Social Security Disability A federal program that gives money to people who cannot work because of a disability or Blindness benefits under Title II (RSDI) of the Social Security Act,

• Receives AABD cash or Medical,

• ¿Es un veterano?:

  • With a service or non-service connected disability rated or paid as totally disabled by the Veterans Administration (VA) and verified in writing by VA as totally disabled,  or

  • Se considera que usted necesita ayuda y asistencia regulares o que está permanentemente confinado en su hogar según el VA.

• Is a veteran's surviving spouse who is considered in need of aid and attendance or permanently homebound by the VA,

• Is a veteran’s surviving child who is considered permanently incapable of self-support by the VA,

• Is a surviving spouse or child of a veteran entitled to VA benefits for a service-connected death, or VA pension Money paid to a person by an employer during retirement benefits for a non-service connected death. Note: the spouse or child must also have a disability under Social Security Requirements,

• The member receives a federal, state, or local government disability pension and is considered permanently disabled under Social Security requirements,

• The member receives Railroad Retirement disability benefits, or

• El miembro recibe un pago de anualidad de Railroad Retirement y es elegible para Medicare.