Estimate your monthly Illinois Link Card benefits based on 2024 income limits.
1 Person
2 People
3 People
4 People
5 People
6 People
7 People
8 People
Heating/Cooling Standard (Air/Heat)
Limited Standard (No Air/Heat)
Single Standard (One Utility)
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How Illinois SNAP Benefits Are Calculated
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Illinois, often referred to as the Link Card, uses a specific formula to determine eligibility and benefit amounts. In Illinois, most households are eligible under "Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility," which allows for a higher gross income limit—typically 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Step 1: Gross Income Test
First, your total monthly income before taxes must be below the Illinois limit for your household size. For 2024, these limits are higher than the national average to assist more Illinois residents.
Household Size
Gross Monthly Limit (200% FPL)
Max Monthly Benefit
1
$2,430
$291
2
$3,287
$535
3
$4,143
$766
4
$5,000
$973
5
$5,857
$1,155
6
$6,713
$1,386
Step 2: Determining Net Income
SNAP doesn't just look at your gross pay. It subtracts certain deductions to find your "Net Income." This includes:
Standard Deduction: A flat amount based on household size (e.g., $198 for 1-3 people).
Earned Income Deduction: 20% of your gross earnings are ignored to encourage work.
Excess Shelter Deduction: The amount your housing costs (rent/mortgage plus utilities) exceed 50% of your adjusted income.
Step 3: The 30% Rule
The program assumes a household can spend 30% of its net income on food. Therefore, your benefit is calculated by taking the Maximum Benefit for your household size and subtracting 30% of your Net Monthly Income.
Example Calculation:
A family of 3 with a gross income of $2,500. After deductions (standard, earned income, and shelter), their net income might be $1,000.
1. 30% of $1,000 = $300.
2. Max benefit for 3 people = $766.
3. $766 – $300 = $466 estimated monthly benefit.
function calculateSNAP() {
var hh = parseInt(document.getElementById("hhSize").value);
var gross = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossIncome").value);
var rent = parseFloat(document.getElementById("rentMortgage").value);
var utility = parseFloat(document.getElementById("utilityAllowance").value);
var error = document.getElementById("errorMsg");
var resultBox = document.getElementById("resultBox");
var resultTitle = document.getElementById("resultTitle");
var resultDetails = document.getElementById("resultDetails");
if (isNaN(gross) || isNaN(rent)) {
error.style.display = "block";
resultBox.style.display = "none";
return;
}
error.style.display = "none";
// 2024 Illinois Thresholds (200% FPL)
var grossLimits = [0, 2430, 3287, 4143, 5000, 5857, 6713, 7570, 8427];
var maxBenefits = [0, 291, 535, 766, 973, 1155, 1386, 1532, 1751];
// Basic eligibility check
if (gross > grossLimits[hh]) {
resultBox.style.display = "block";
resultBox.style.borderColor = "#e74c3c";
resultTitle.innerHTML = "Potentially Ineligible";
resultTitle.style.color = "#e74c3c";
resultDetails.innerHTML = "Your gross monthly income of $" + gross.toFixed(2) + " exceeds the limit of $" + grossLimits[hh] + " for a household of " + hh + ". You may still qualify if a household member is elderly or disabled.";
return;
}
// Calculation Logic
// 1. Standard Deduction
var standardDed = 198;
if (hh == 4) standardDed = 208;
if (hh == 5) standardDed = 244;
if (hh >= 6) standardDed = 279;
// 2. Earned Income Deduction (20%)
var earnedDed = gross * 0.20;
// 3. Adjusted Income
var adjIncome = gross – standardDed – earnedDed;
if (adjIncome < 0) adjIncome = 0;
// 4. Shelter Deduction
var totalShelter = rent + utility;
var halfAdj = adjIncome * 0.5;
var excessShelter = totalShelter – halfAdj;
if (excessShelter 672) excessShelter = 672;
// 5. Net Income
var netIncome = adjIncome – excessShelter;
if (netIncome < 0) netIncome = 0;
// 6. Final Benefit Calculation
var benefit = maxBenefits[hh] – (netIncome * 0.30);
// Rounding
benefit = Math.floor(benefit);
// Minimum benefit for 1-2 person HH is usually $23
if ((hh === 1 || hh === 2) && benefit 0) {
benefit = 23;
}
if (benefit <= 0) {
resultBox.style.display = "block";
resultBox.style.borderColor = "#f39c12";
resultTitle.innerHTML = "Likely Ineligible for Benefit";
resultTitle.style.color = "#f39c12";
resultDetails.innerHTML = "While you meet the gross income limit, your calculated net income is too high to receive a monthly benefit after the 30% rule is applied.";
} else {
resultBox.style.display = "block";
resultBox.style.borderColor = "#27ae60";
resultTitle.innerHTML = "Estimated Benefit: $" + benefit + " / month";
resultTitle.style.color = "#27ae60";
resultDetails.innerHTML = "Based on a household of " + hh + ", you may be eligible for approximately $" + benefit + " per month on your Illinois Link Card. Note: This is an estimate. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) makes the final determination based on assets, childcare expenses, and medical costs.";
}
}