SNAP benefits payments in Illinois are distributed throughout the first 10 days of the month of April 2024, following exactly as it has been done every month for years. The distribution is made based on the integrated eligibility system (IES) number.
In the state of Illinois, the IES is assigned to the food stamps beneficiaries by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Department, and its last digits will determine what day they’ll get their SNAP benefits money deposited in their Illinois Link Card.
April SNAP Benefits in Illinois: Dates and Amounts You Could Get
Food stamp recipients in Illinois are already waiting for their money to be able to buy fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products and more at participating supermarkets and stores. Below you can see the list of the ten days of April 2024 and the paid groups (IES ending number and the payment day):
- IES ending in 1: April 1st
- IES ending in 2: April 2nd
- IES ending in 3: April 3rd
- IES ending in 4: April 4th
- IES ending in 5: April 5th
- IES ending in 6: April 6th
- IES ending in 7: April 7th
- IES ending in 8: April 8th
- IES ending in 9: April 9th
- IES ending in 0: April 10th
Now, the amounts that a family can receive depends on the size in number of members. For starters, an applicant can only receive up to $291 during the 2024 tax year, 2 people can get up to $535, while a household of three people can claim up to $766. For a family of four people, the maximum monthly amount they can receive is $973, but for a family group of 5 members the amount amounts to $1,155.

Now, if your family has 6 members, the monthly payment they can expect is up to $1,386, for 7 members it is $1,532, and for a group of 8, the amount amounts to $1,751. From that number, each additional member can receive up to $219 per month. The minimum allotment this year is $23 per month.
Who Can Get an Illinois Link Card?
Anyone approved for cash assistance or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the state of Illinois will receive an Illinois Link card. This card is plastic and works like a debit card, with the advantage that if you are eligible for both types of benefits, you will access both using the same card. It should be noted that only one Illinois Link card is issued per account.
If you’ve already got your Illinois Link Card, you can manage your Illinois Link Card online and get all the information you need. You can check your Link account balance, report the lost or stolen card, request a replacement card, order or change the PIN number, check the shopping list, or report issues with purchases or withdrawals made.
Remember that your food stamp card is non-transferable and can only be used by you. Do not give it to anyone or share your PIN number with strangers to avoid scams or theft.