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SNAP Benefits/Food Assistance
Snap benefits update 4/6/2020
The recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act makes quick and temporary changes to SNAP to ensure benefits are adequate and available in the event of quarantines, store closures, reduced staffing in State and local government offices, closure of schools, and temporary job and wage loss.
Manage Your Benefits Online
You can use the ABE Manage My Case portal to manage your Medical, SNAP and cash benefits - online, anytime.
- Check the status of an application
- Renew benefits Report changes - income, household members, expenses or new address
- Upload documents
- View notices and benefit details
- View and reschedule upcoming appointments
- File and manage appeals
Find out more about linking your existing case to ABE Manage My Case (pdf) and review the ABE Customer Guide (pdf) by visiting the ABE Customer Support Center.
Apply Using a Paper Application
- Download the application
- Follow the directions on the form. Type in as much information as you can. If you can't answer all the questions, that's ok. You must include your name and address. You may print out the application and write on it if you prefer. You must sign the form.
- Once you've completed the application, carry, mail or fax it to your local Family Community Resource Center. Use the DHS Office Locator to locate your local office.
Need Help with an Application
Please call our toll-free line at 1-800-843-6154 (Voice), Nextalk 1-800-324-5553, 711 TTY Relay, if you have questions or need help with the application.
Click HERE to find a food bank near you.
Click HERE to find a list of community support organizations near you who can help with essential services such as emergency food and supplies, health services, and financial assistance through direct cash transfers, as well as mortgage, rent and utility assistance.
To apply for WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) click HERE
or call 217-782-2166
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Committee on House Agriculture Fact Sheet and FAQs on anti-hunger programs
Covid-19 and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program)
Americans now eligible for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid due to job loss or reduction in income are also eligible for the FCC’s Lifeline program click HERE
The FCC’s Lifeline program is the primary federal program charged with helping low-income families obtain broadband and telephone services
More information on the bill. The legislation will:
Suspend the work & work training requirements for SNAP during this crisis.
- Keeping tabs on hours worked under an emergency is unrealistic. USDA would prefer to make each case subject to “good cause” exemptions. This is not workable under extreme conditions.
- Work training programs may also be shut down by State or local orders, meaning recipients can’t meet the requirement while the emergency exists.
·Allow states to request special waivers from the Secretary to provide temporary, emergency CR-SNAP benefits up to the maximum monthly allotment.
- This would permit beneficiaries to stock up at the grocery store before any quarantine, and help deal with price increases for eligible food. It does not increase SNAP benefits beyond current maximum levels for a household size.
·Give broad discretion to the Secretary to provide much more flexibility for States in managing SNAP caseloads, including: more time between periodic reports; allowing more methods of issuance; and a simplified interview process.
- This gives States the tools they need to continue providing food to their communities under extreme circumstances.
·Require the Secretary to make State requests for waivers and the USDA response as well as any USDA guidance on State flexibilities publicly available online.
- This will help to ensure transparency for States and allow stakeholders to monitor the implementation of this portion of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
·Instruct the Secretary to provide a report 18 months after the emergency documenting the decisions made in the operation of this authority.
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Comments (optional) repName Danny K. Davis helpWithFedAgencyAddress Chicago District Office
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Chicago, Illinois 60612district 7th District of Illinois academyUSCitizenDate July 1, 2017 academyAgeDate July 1, 2017 academyApplicationDueDate October 20, 2017 repStateABBR Il repDistrict 7 repState Illinois repDistrictText 7th repPhoto SponsoredBills Sponsored Bills CoSponsoredBills Co-Sponsored Bills
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Office Locations
Office Name Location Image Map URL Washington DC 2159 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
p. (202) 225-5006
f. (202) 225-5641https://goo.gl/maps/69TjH Chicago Office 2815 W. Fifth Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60612
p. (773) 533-7520
f. (844) 274-0426https://goo.gl/maps/24smXeMjD2D2