If you have an Illinois Link Card, there are several ways to obtain the balance on your card. In this post, we will explain in detail the three ways you can check your Illinois EBT Card Balance.
Table of Contents:
- How to Check Illinois EBT Card Balance
- List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
- Illinois EBT Frequently Asked Questions
News Alert: Did you know you can use your SNAP EBT Card to buy groceries on Amazon? Click here to find out how.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is responsible for administering Illinois Food Stamp benefits to approved, low-income households who meet income and other requirements.
The state of Illinois deposits food stamp benefits on your EBT Card on the same day every month.
Illinois Link EBT Card benefits can be accessed by 5 AM the morning after they are posted to your EBT Card account.
You can use the benefits to make approved food purchases at eligible retail locations.
Most Illinois grocery stores accept EBT Cards as payment. Also, some grocery stores accept EBT online for pickup and delivery.
Additionally, you can use your Illinois Link EBT card at most farmers’ markets, including at select locations where you can double your money when you buy produce.
Also, eligible Illinois Link EBT cardholders can use their SNAP benefits to buy hot food at approved restaurants in Illinois.
Lastly, you can get discounts and perks with your Illinois EBT, including 50% off Amazon Prime, Free or Discounted phone and internet services, and more.
For instructions on how to check the balance on your Illinois EBT Card, keep reading below.
How to Check your Illinois EBT Card Balance
There are three options for checking your Illinois Link Card balance. Here they are:
Option 1 – Locate Your Last Purchase Receipt
One of the easiest ways to check your Illinois EBT Card balance is to find the most recent purchase receipt or ATM receipt (for TANF recipients only).
At the bottom of the receipt, you will find the current balance on your card.
In order to use this method to check your balance, be sure to save all of your recent Illinois Link Card receipts.
Option 2 – Check Your Link Card Balance Via Phone
Another option is to check your card balance by calling the Illinois EBT Link Card Customer Service phone number at 1-800-678-5465 (LINK).
Before you call, be sure to have your EBT Card number, 4-digit PIN, and Social Security Number (SSN) ready.
You must provide this information to receive your Link Card balance information.
Option 3 – Check Your Link Card Balance Online
The last option to check your Illinois Link Card balance is online. You can find out your EBT Card balance online by using the Illinois ebtEdge website.
Once you are on the site, enter your User ID and Password. Click the “LOGIN” button to check your Link card balance.
If you do not have an account, click on the “Register Here” link, as shown in the image above.
Once you click the “Register Here”, you will see instructions on how to create an account for online access to your Illinois EBT Card benefits.
List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery
As you may be aware, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started a pilot program (Online Purchasing Pilot) to allow select grocery stores to start accepting EBT cards online for grocery shopping, including delivery to your doorstep.
Illinois’ EBT cardholders can buy food online for delivery and/or pickup from the approved grocery stores listed below.
- Aldi
- Amazon
- Capri IGA
- County Market (Niemann Foods)
- Dave’s Supermarket
- Fairplay Foods
- Jewel Osco
- Local Market
- Meijer
- Metropolis Big John Grocery
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Schnuck’s Market
- Supermercados El Guero
- Target
- Tony’s Fresh Market
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
- Woodman’s Markets
For more information about how you can use your EBT Card to shop online for delivery, click here.
Illinois EBT Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Illinois EBT Card.
How much will I get on my EBT card each month?
The amount of benefits you receive on your Link Card each month is determined by your income and household size.
You can use the Maximum Monthly SNAP Amount Chart to find out the highest amount of benefits you can receive each month.
I have seen people purchase non-food items with an EBT card. I thought SNAP was only for food?
Yes, SNAP benefits are only for food. However, some people have an EBT card for their TANF (cash assistance) benefits.
You can use TANF benefits to purchase food and non-food items.
For information on TANF eligibility, contact your local government benefits assistance office.
Can I have someone else help me shop using my EBT account?
Ask your county food stamps caseworker about setting up an Authorized Representative (AR).
The AR will have a separate card with his or her own account number and PIN. The EBT system is able to track which card is used at any time.
The AR will have access to your entire benefit account.
Can I use my EBT card in other counties and other states?
Your EBT card will work at any store or ATM that accepts EBT Cards in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
There are no rules against using your EBT card outside of your state of residence.
However, you are required to report any address change to your local county public assistance office.
If I don’t use all of the benefits I received this month, will these benefits still be available to me next month?
Yes, benefits that are not used in the month issued will stay in the EBT account. You may use these benefits in the following months.
What do I do if I suspect someone has stolen benefits from my EBT Link Card account?
If your EBT card is stolen or compromised, immediately call the Illinois Link Customer Service phone number.
The Link Card toll-free help line is 1-800-678-LINK (5465).
A customer service representative will cancel your Link Card and have a new one mailed to you.
You should also contact your DHS caseworker to alert them, as well as file a police report.
How do I report a store or person that I think is misusing food or cash benefits (committing fraud)?
Misusing benefits on purpose is a federal crime. If you misuse benefits, your benefits can be taken away.
To report a store or person misusing benefits, click here.
What items am I allowed to purchase with my EBT card?
For information on items that you are allowed to purchase with EBT food benefits, click here.
Cash aid may be used to purchase anything that can be legally purchased with currency (cash).
How do I buy food and items with my Link Card?
Here’s how to use your Link Card to purchase food items:
- Swipe your card at the store’s payment machine.
- Then select “EBT” from the card options.
- Next, enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Complete the transaction and take your receipt – it will show your current Link Card balance at the bottom.
Illinois EBT Link Card Account
We hope this article on how to check your Illinois EBT Card Balance was helpful. If so, we encourage you to share this article with anyone who may also find it helpful by using the “Share this” button below.
If you have additional questions about the Link Card including the Illinois SNAP eligibility and application process, please leave those in the comments below.
We are always happy to help!
Check out the current EBT Discounts and Perks available exclusively to Illinois EBT Link Cardholders! You can save on phone service, museum admission, and even on Amazon Prime! Check out how you can save with your Illinois EBT card here.
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about Illinois Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Illinois EBT Card Balance
- Application for Benefits Eligibility Login Help
- How to Create an Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) Account
- Income Limit for Illinois Food Stamps
- Illinois EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT