Illinois EBT (SNAP) Benefit Estimator
Use this calculator to get an estimated monthly SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit amount for your household in Illinois. Please note that this is an estimate based on common factors and does not guarantee eligibility or a specific benefit amount. Actual benefits are determined by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) after a full application and interview.
Understanding Illinois EBT (SNAP) Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) in Illinois, helps low-income individuals and families purchase nutritious food. Administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), SNAP benefits are loaded onto an EBT card, which works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores and farmers markets.
Who is Eligible for SNAP in Illinois?
Eligibility for SNAP in Illinois depends on several factors, primarily household size, income, and certain expenses. Generally, households must meet both gross and net income limits. However, households with an elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled member only need to meet the net income limit.
- Gross Income Test: Most households must have a gross monthly income (before deductions) at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- Net Income Test: All households must have a net monthly income (after allowable deductions) at or below 100% of the FPL.
- Asset Limits: There are also asset limits, though many households are exempt.
- Work Requirements: Most able-bodied adults without dependents must meet work requirements.
How Are SNAP Benefits Calculated?
The calculation of SNAP benefits is a multi-step process designed to determine a household's net income and then subtract a portion of that income from the maximum allowable benefit for their household size. Key factors include:
- Gross Income: All income received by household members before taxes and other deductions.
- Deductions: Several deductions are applied to the gross income to arrive at the net income:
- Earned Income Deduction: 20% of any earned income (wages, salaries).
- Standard Deduction: A fixed amount based on household size.
- Dependent Care Deduction: Actual costs for child care or care for an incapacitated adult.
- Medical Expense Deduction: For elderly or disabled members, out-of-pocket medical expenses exceeding $35 per month are deductible.
- Shelter Deduction: This is a significant deduction. It includes rent/mortgage payments and utility costs. Utility costs are often calculated using a Standard Utility Allowance (SUA), Limited Utility Allowance (LUA), or Basic Utility Allowance (BUA), depending on what utilities the household pays. The shelter deduction is capped for non-elderly/disabled households.
- Net Income: Gross income minus all applicable deductions.
- Benefit Calculation: The final benefit is determined by subtracting 30% of the household's net income from the maximum monthly allotment for their household size. If the calculated benefit is very low for 1-2 person households, a minimum benefit may apply.
Important Considerations:
- The figures used in this calculator (income limits, deductions, utility allowances, maximum benefits) are estimates and are subject to change by federal and state agencies.
- This calculator does not account for all specific situations, such as student eligibility, asset tests, or specific work requirements.
- For an accurate determination of your eligibility and benefit amount, you must apply directly with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
How to Apply for SNAP in Illinois:
You can apply for SNAP benefits in Illinois through several methods:
After applying, you will typically have an interview and may need to provide documentation to verify your income, expenses, and household information.
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function calculateEBT() {
// Data tables (estimated for 2024, subject to change)
var maxBenefits = {
1: 291, 2: 535, 3: 766, 4: 973, 5: 1155, 6: 1386, 7: 1532, 8: 1751
};
var additionalBenefitPerPerson = 219;
var standardDeductions = {
1: 193, 2: 193, 3: 193, 4: 193, 5: 221, 6: 221, 7: 221, 8: 221
}; // Simplified: 1-4 people $193, 5+ people $221
var grossIncomeLimits = {
1: 1580, 2: 2137, 3: 2694, 4: 3250, 5: 3807, 6: 4364, 7: 4921, 8: 5478
};
var additionalGrossIncomeLimit = 557;
var netIncomeLimits = {
1: 1215, 2: 1644, 3: 2072, 4: 2500, 5: 2929, 6: 3357, 7: 3786, 8: 4214
};
var additionalNetIncomeLimit = 429;
var utilityAllowanceValues = {
"None": 0,
"SUA": 450, // Standard Utility Allowance
"LUA": 275, // Limited Utility Allowance
"BUA": 125 // Basic Utility Allowance
};
var shelterDeductionCap = 672; // For non-elderly/disabled households
var medicalExpenseThreshold = 35;
var minimumBenefit = 23; // For 1-2 person households
// Get input values
var householdSize = parseInt(document.getElementById("householdSize").value);
var grossMonthlyIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossMonthlyIncome").value);
var earnedMonthlyIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("earnedMonthlyIncome").value);
var isElderlyDisabled = document.getElementById("isElderlyDisabled").value === "Yes";
var dependentCareCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dependentCareCosts").value);
var medicalExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("medicalExpenses").value);
var monthlyRentMortgage = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyRentMortgage").value);
var utilityAllowanceType = document.getElementById("utilityAllowanceType").value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
resultDiv.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous results
// Input validation
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Household Size (at least 1).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(grossMonthlyIncome) || grossMonthlyIncome < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid Gross Monthly Income (0 or more).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(earnedMonthlyIncome) || earnedMonthlyIncome grossMonthlyIncome) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Earned Monthly Income cannot be greater than Total Gross Monthly Income.";
return;
}
if (isNaN(dependentCareCosts) || dependentCareCosts < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid Dependent Care Costs (0 or more).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(medicalExpenses) || medicalExpenses < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid Medical Expenses (0 or more).";
return;
}
if (isNaN(monthlyRentMortgage) || monthlyRentMortgage 8
var currentMaxBenefit = maxBenefits[Math.min(householdSize, 8)];
if (householdSize > 8) {
currentMaxBenefit += (householdSize – 8) * additionalBenefitPerPerson;
}
var currentStandardDeduction = standardDeductions[Math.min(householdSize, 8)];
// Standard deduction logic: 1-4 people $193, 5+ people $221
if (householdSize >= 5) {
currentStandardDeduction = 221;
} else {
currentStandardDeduction = 193;
}
var currentGrossIncomeLimit = grossIncomeLimits[Math.min(householdSize, 8)];
if (householdSize > 8) {
currentGrossIncomeLimit += (householdSize – 8) * additionalGrossIncomeLimit;
}
var currentNetIncomeLimit = netIncomeLimits[Math.min(householdSize, 8)];
if (householdSize > 8) {
currentNetIncomeLimit += (householdSize – 8) * additionalNetIncomeLimit;
}
// — Step 1: Gross Income Test —
if (!isElderlyDisabled && grossMonthlyIncome > currentGrossIncomeLimit) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "
Ineligible: Your household's gross monthly income ($" + grossMonthlyIncome.toFixed(2) + ") exceeds the limit ($" + currentGrossIncomeLimit.toFixed(2) + ") for your household size.";
return;
}
// — Step 2: Calculate Deductions —
var earnedIncomeDeduction = earnedMonthlyIncome * 0.20;
var medicalDeduction = 0;
if (isElderlyDisabled && medicalExpenses > medicalExpenseThreshold) {
medicalDeduction = medicalExpenses – medicalExpenseThreshold;
}
var utilityAllowance = utilityAllowanceValues[utilityAllowanceType];
var totalShelterCosts = monthlyRentMortgage + utilityAllowance;
// — Step 3: Calculate Adjusted Gross Income (before shelter deduction) —
var adjustedGrossIncome = grossMonthlyIncome – earnedIncomeDeduction – currentStandardDeduction – dependentCareCosts – medicalDeduction;
if (adjustedGrossIncome 0) {
shelterDeduction = excessShelterCost;
if (!isElderlyDisabled && shelterDeduction > shelterDeductionCap) {
shelterDeduction = shelterDeductionCap;
}
}
// — Step 5: Calculate Net Income —
var netIncome = adjustedGrossIncome – shelterDeduction;
if (netIncome currentNetIncomeLimit) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "
Ineligible: Your household's net monthly income ($" + netIncome.toFixed(2) + ") exceeds the limit ($" + currentNetIncomeLimit.toFixed(2) + ") for your household size.";
return;
}
// — Step 7: Calculate Benefit —
var calculatedBenefit = currentMaxBenefit – (netIncome * 0.30);
if (calculatedBenefit < 0) {
calculatedBenefit = 0;
} else if (householdSize 0 && calculatedBenefit < minimumBenefit) {
calculatedBenefit = minimumBenefit; // Apply minimum benefit for 1-2 person households
}
// Display results
var resultHTML = "
Estimated Monthly SNAP Benefit: $" + calculatedBenefit.toFixed(2) + "";
resultHTML += "
(This is an estimate. Actual benefits are determined by IDHS.)";
resultDiv.innerHTML = resultHTML;
}