{
    "title": "Illinois Expands Restaurant Meals Program for Eligible SNAP Customers to 50 Restaurants",
    "modified_at": "2026-10-08 20:20:59",
    "published_at": "2026-10-08 20:30:00",
    "url": "https://idhs.prezly.com/illinois-expands-restaurant-meals-program-for-eligible-snap-customers-to-50-restaurants",
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    "subtitle": "Current restaurants, spanning 16 counties, service those who may have difficulty purchasing and preparing meals; restaurants statewide are encouraged to apply ",
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    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong> </p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>October 8, 2026</strong> </p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>CONTACT</strong> </p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"mailto:DHS.Press@illinois.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u><strong>DHS.Press@illinois.gov</strong></u></a> </p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>CHICAGO</strong> &ndash; The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced today that the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) has reached 50 participating restaurants in 16 counties, and that the state is expanding the program statewide. The program allows eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers to purchase meals at participating restaurants using their Link card. </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The program provides access to prepared meals to over 400,000 households who may have difficulty purchasing and preparing meals themselves. </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The RMP serves SNAP households where all members are one or more of the following: </p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>age 60 and older </span></li><li><span>have a disability </span></li><li><span>are spouses of eligible elderly or disabled customers </span></li><li><span>are experiencing homelessness </span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: left\">IDHS is looking for more restaurants to expand the program throughout the state, with a long-term goal of establishing RMP participation in every Illinois county. Each county in Illinois has RMP-eligible households, and there are currently <a href=\"https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=146353\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>50 restaurants</strong></a> that operate across 16 counties. The goal is to expand the number of restaurants that serve prepared meals and provide access to RMP-eligible households in every county in Illinois.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;For SNAP households that may have difficulties with purchasing and preparing meals themselves, the RMP provides options to access prepared meals in their communities,&rdquo; <strong>said IDHS Secretary Dulce M. Quintero</strong>. &ldquo;We are proud to expand this program across the state and support access to food resources in Illinois.&rdquo; </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Launched as a pilot in 2022, the RMP opened up additional opportunities for restaurants to apply for the program in June of 2025. Since then, IDHS has continued to expand the program and built administrative capacity to increase the number of staff to help restaurants apply and get approved for the RMP. </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;S2 Grills is proud to participate in the Illinois Restaurant Meals Program because it allows us to help make quality meals more accessible to the communities we&rsquo;re located in,&rdquo; <strong>said Damone Emery, Chief Operating Officer of S2 Express Grill, with locations across Chicago and the suburbs</strong>. &ldquo;Being part of RMP gives us another opportunity to serve our customers while supporting a program that makes a meaningful difference.&rdquo; </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&ldquo;We love being able to be part of this program,&rdquo; <strong>said Matthew Bluhm, Owner of Head West Sub Stop, with restaurants in Springfield, Decatur, and Jacksonville</strong>. &ldquo;Providing prepared meals to people in need is a great opportunity for us to help give back to our community.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Statewide Opportunities for Restaurants</strong> </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Restaurants interested in participating in the program can complete an online intake survey to determine if they meet the program requirements. </p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Participating restaurants must provide a 10% discount on all menu items. </span></li><li><span>As with standard SNAP purchases, taxes and fees cannot be charged on RMP purchases. </span></li><li><span>Restaurant agreements will be renewed every five years. </span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: left\">For more information and to apply, visit: <a href=\"https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=136655\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=136655</u></a> </p><p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Information for Customers</strong> </p><p style=\"text-align: left\">To confirm if your household is eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program: </p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>A notice of program eligibility is sent to households when they are determined eligible. \u200b </span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: left\">At any time, households can check their current program eligibility status by: </p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Logging into their EBT account on the ebtEDGE app or online at <a href=\"https://www.ebtedge.us/signin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>Sign In - ebtEDGE&trade;</u></a>. Eligibility for the Restaurant Meals program is indicated in the wallet screen above the balance. </span></li><li><span>Logging into or signing up for a Manage My Case Account at ABE.Illinois.gov and checking the Food Benefit section of the account. \u200b </span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: left\">If SNAP customers receive a notice of eligibility and have questions or need help with their case: \u200b </p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Call the IDHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154/1-866-324-5553 TTY. \u200b \u200b </span></li><li><span>Visit a local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). Find locations: <a href=\"https://dhs.illinois.gov/officelocator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>dhs.illinois.gov/officelocator</u></a> </span></li><li><span>View the full list of participating restaurants and locations: <a href=\"https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=146353\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=146353</u></a> </span></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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