The Illinois Department of Human Services has announced the statewide expansion of the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows certain eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program customers to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants using their Link card. The program has now grown to 50 participating restaurants in 16 counties and is intended to help more than 400,000 households that may have difficulty purchasing and preparing meals on their own. Eligibility is limited to SNAP households in which all members are age 60 or older, have a disability, are the spouse of an eligible elderly or disabled participant, or are experiencing homelessness. IDHS says it is now seeking additional restaurants throughout Illinois, with a long-term goal of establishing participating locations in every county. Restaurants taking part in the program must provide a 10 percent discount on all menu items. Taxes and fees cannot be charged on Restaurant Meals Program purchases, and restaurant agreements are renewed every five years. The program began as a pilot in 2022 and was opened to additional restaurant applications in June 2025. Eligible SNAP households are notified of their participation status and can also check eligibility through the ebtEDGE app or website, or through their Manage My Case account at ABE.Illinois.gov. SNAP customers with questions can contact the IDHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154, or visit a local Family Community Resource Center. Restaurants interested in joining the program can apply through the Illinois Department of Human Services.
