Food Stamp/SNAP Outreach
According to the 2006 Hunger Study conducted by Feeding America, only 35 percent of the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s regular food pantry clients were enrolled in SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program). SNAP is the country’s primary nutrition assistance program, and yet thousands of eligible families do not receive the benefits to which they are entitled and could benefit from receiving. SNAP helps families lead more financially and nutritionally sustainable lives and reduce the burden on emergency food pantries for food assistance. The SNAP Outreach Program aims to increase the number of eligible Cook County residents receiving SNAP benefits.
The Food Depository operates its Food Stamp/SNAP Outreach Program at various partner agencies in Cook County. Food Depository staff and trained volunteers frequently conduct outreach visits at food pantries and older adult sites throughout Cook County. During these outreach visits, individuals are screened for program eligibility, assisted in completing a SNAP application and provided education about how the application process works. SNAP Outreach Coordinators are also available by phone to answer agencies’ and clients’ questions about the application process or for assistance with SNAP benefit redetermination.
Find more information about your eligibility for SNAP or contact the SNAP Outreach program.
The SNAP Outreach Program also manages the Express Stamps pilot program in Cook County. Express Stamps is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-sponsored access demonstration project.
Express Stamps - A SNAP Demonstration Project
Federal and community food assistance programs function together as a nutrition safety net for low-income households. One of the most impactful federal food assistance programs is SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program). An innovative partnership that involves the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Feeding America, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Greater Chicago Food Depository has brought SNAP to families and individuals in the places where America’s hungry gather: food pantries.
The Express Stamps Demonstration Project allows households to apply for SNAP benefits in a pantry setting and, if eligible, households receive an EBT card (Link card) that is loaded with benefits that same day, without having to visit the local human services office or go through a waiting period for benefits.
Express Stamps An Overview of the Process
- An individual and/or family in need of emergency food assistance visit a food pantry.
- A volunteer at the food pantry asks the pantry client if they are aware, receiving, or interested in applying for SNAP and refers to the Express Stamp volunteer.
- A pantry client, assisted by a specially trained volunteer, completes an application for food stamps that day at the pantry.
- The application is submitted electronically via the Internet to the IDHS computer system for an eligibility determination.
- If determined eligible, the volunteer issues the pantry client an EBT card.
- Client leaves the food pantry with an EBT card that can support the recipient in his or her time of need.
- IDHS local office mails the PIN number and activation instructions as well as instructions for recertification directly to the pantry client within two business days.
- The household has access to approximately 30 to 45 days of SNAP benefits and during this time they can complete the standard application process to receive benefits on a longer-term basis.
Northern Illinois Food Bank first launched this pilot in October 2006 and has had great success in both suburban and rural areas reaching those in need. In July 2009, the Food Depository expanded the Express Stamps demonstration project to Cook County to test the program in densely urban and suburban areas. Currently two Food Depository member food pantries provide this service in their communities in addition to 10 pantries in the Northern Illinois Food Bank network.
Food Stamp/SNAP Resources
To see if you are eligible for food stamps or to download an application, choose one of the following links.
- IDHS eligibility calculator
- Download application: English | En español
- NEW Apply online
Please call the Food Stamp/SNAP Outreach Program at 773-843-5416 if you:
- would like to find out if you are eligible for the Food Stamp/SNAP Program;
- would like to apply over the phone; or
- have questions about how to apply for food stamps/SNAP.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and SNAP
Also known as The Recovery Act or the 2009 stimulus package, this bill provides $20 billion to increase Food Stamp/SNAP benefits nationwide. Starting April 1, 2009, all Food Stamp/SNAP recipients will receive a permanent increase of at least 13.6 percent. Eligibility criteria remain the same.
Making America Stronger: U.S. Food Stamp Program
"Making America Stronger" is a 2007 film on the U.S. Food Stamp Program from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of the reforms achieved by the Food Stamp Act of 1977 by telling the story of how food stamps dramatically reduced the extent of severe hunger in our country, how they continue to help Americans in need, and how this essential program can achieve still more.
Watch "Making America Stronger"
Food stamp contact
General information
Food Stamp/SNAP Outreach Program
773-247-3663
