Illinois

Welcome to the Illinois EBT Card! If you are wondering what the EBT Card is and how you can benefit from it, you are in the right place. The Illinois EBT Card is an instrument that allows state residents to access food benefits and assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families (TANF).

With this card, you will be able to obtain food and basic products in authorized stores and businesses, providing crucial help in meeting the nutritional needs of your family.

In this mobile application you will find essential information on how to apply for the EBT Card in Illinois. We will guide you through the eligibility requirements, the application process and the necessary documents to expedite your process. In addition, we'll provide you with details on how to use your card to make purchases, how to check your balance, and how to take full advantage of the benefits the EBT Card provides.

Apply for Illinois EBT Card

The Illinois EBT Card, also known as the Illinois Link Card, is a plastic card that works like a debit card and is used to receive public assistance benefits in Illinois. With this card, you can access programs like food stamps (SNAP) and cash assistance.

To be a beneficiary of this card, learn how to apply for the Illinois EBT card:

The easiest way to apply for food stamps in Illinois is to apply online using the ABE Illinois portal: https://abe.illinois.gov/
You can also apply in person at your local Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) office. To find the DHS county office closest to you, visit our Illinois Offices article.
Another option is to call the Illinois DHS Information Line at 1-(800) 843-6154 and request that an application be mailed to you. You can then fill it out and send it to the local DHS office in your county.

In the state of Illinois, the food stamp program provides recipients with a monthly average of about $135. This represents significant support for approximately 14% of the state's population, which is equivalent to around 1.77 million people.

Once you are approved for food stamps or other assistance programs, you will receive your monthly benefits through the Illinois EBT Card. This card gives you convenient and secure access to your benefits, and allows you to use them at authorized stores and merchants.

Activate Illinois EBT Card

It is very important to activate the EBT Illinois card after you get it, because if you don't, you won't be able to use it to access the coupons. To activate your EBT card in Illinois, follow these steps:

When you receive the EBT card in the mail, call the Illinois LINK hotline at 1-800-678-LINK (5465).
Follow the automated system instructions to set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and hear your benefit amount.
Next, enter the following information to activate the card:

Enter the 16-digit EBT card number.
Enter the number nine (999-99-9999) for all digits of the Social Security Number. Do not enter your child's social security number or your own.
Enter the date of birth of the child, whose name is on the card.
Select a custom 4-digit PIN.
Confirm the entry made.

Once these steps are completed, your card will be activated and ready to be used.

Remember that it is important to keep your PIN confidential and not share it with anyone. If you have more than one EBT card, repeat the activation process for each one.

Change EBT Illinois Card PIN

If you want to change your Illinois EBT Card PIN, you can do it in two ways:

Call Illinois EBT Customer Service at 1-800-678-5465 and follow the instructions provided.
Visit an EBT-enabled ATM and follow the on-screen instructions to change your PIN.

Check balance of EBT Illinois card

Here's how to check your Illinois EBT card balance:

Check your most recent receipt, as it is the first way to determine the balance on your Illinois EBT card. Also, at the bottom of your most recent grocery or ATM receipt you will find your balance. Make it a habit to save your most recent EBT receipts so you can always check your balance before you shop.
Checking your balance online is a second option. Use the Illinois Link Card website to check the balance of your Illinois EBT card:

Sign in, then enter your user ID and password.
You will then be able to see your most recent transactions and current balance.
In the event that you don't already have one, you can sign up for one.

Consult by phone as a third option:

Call to check the balance on your Illinois EBT card. Dial the EBT Customer Service Number 1-800-678-5465, located on the back of your card.

Shopping with the Illinois EBT Card

After you activate your EBT card, it will work like a debit card and you can use it to buy food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers markets and cooperative food programs.

The food stamp program, administered by the USDA, has strict guidelines about what you can and cannot buy with your food stamp benefits.

Some of the foods that you can buy with the SNAP benefits card are: Fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, sausages and steaks, dairy products, breads and cereals, seeds and plants to grow, etc.

On the other hand, there are also products that the coupons do not allow you to buy, such as: alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food prepared for immediate consumption, non-food items and pet food, among others.

Another advantage of the Illinois EBT card is that you can use it to buy groceries online. The program allows EBT cardholders to make grocery purchases online for delivery or pickup at participating stores.

The online shopping program launched in April 2019 in New York state, with retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Shoprite participating.

Illinois EBT Card Contact

Here is the phone number for Illinois EBT Customer Service to call:

1-800-678-5465 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

The Illinois EBT phone number is useful for a number of situations:

If your EBT card has been lost or stolen.
If your card does not work correctly.
If you want to change your PIN because you forgot it or suspect someone else knows it.
If you want to know the remaining balance in your account.
If you have been charged for a purchase but have not received the food or if you believe you have been overcharged.
If you have other questions or problems related to your EBT card.

Feel free to call the phone number provided for assistance and to resolve any concerns you may have. The Customer Service team will be available to help you at all times.