- Are there any transaction fees or surcharges for using my Illinois Link Card?
There is never a transaction fee for using your SNAP benefits to buy food with your Illinois Link Card. There is never a fee for making a food purchase or receiving cash back from your Cash Assistance benefits at a store. Some ATMs may charge you a fee. To avoid paying any fees, it is best to withdraw your cash at stores that accept the Illinois Link card and provide cash back. You can withdraw cash from your cash account at an ATM up to two (2) times per month. After your second cash withdrawal, or your second balance inquiry, you are charged a fee.
- Can I go to a bank teller and withdraw money or inquire about my EBT account?
No, you may only use your Illinois Link Card to purchase food with your SNAP benefits using a POS machine at a store. Cardholders who receive Cash Assistance can use a POS machine to purchase items other than food or to withdraw cash at an ATM.
- How to Use Your Illinois Link Card to Make Purchases at the Store
If you receive SNAP or Cash Assistance benefits, you can use your EBT card to make purchases using a store's POS machine.
Note: Only the exact amount of your food purchase is deducted from your SNAP benefit account. Stores will not give you change for SNAP benefit purchases.
Know your benefit balance before you go shopping. You can check your balance on Illinois Link Card Website or by calling the Customer Service number on the back of your card.
- Choose EBT on the Point-of-Sale (POS) machine.
- Swipe your Illinois Link Card through the Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminal OR hand your card to the cashier.
- Enter your four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad. The terminal will show ****.
- Press the OK or ENTER key.
- The cashier enters the purchase amount and, if it is correct, you press the YES key.
- The cashier will hand you your receipt; make sure the information on the receipt is correct.
- Keep this receipt so you will know your new balance the next time you shop.
The steps may be different for each type of Point-of-Sale (POS) machine you use, so ask the cashier if you need help.
- How to Use Your Illinois Link Card to Get Cash at the Store
If you receive Cash Assistance benefits, you can use your EBT card to make purchases and to withdraw cash using a store's POS machine.
Know your benefit balance before you go shopping. You can check your balance on Illinois Link Card Website or by calling the Customer Service number on the back of your card.
- Choose EBT on the Point-of-Sale (POS) machine.
- Swipe your Illinois Link Card through the Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminal OR hand your card to the cashier.
- Tell the cashier to charge your cash account.
- Tell the cashier the amount of cash you want or enter the amount on the terminal.
- Enter your four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the keypad. The terminal will show ****.
- Press the OK or ENTER key.
- The cashier enters the purchase amount and, if it is correct, you press the YES key.
- The cashier will hand you your receipt; make sure the information on the receipt is correct.
- Keep this receipt so you will know your new balance the next time you shop.
The steps may be different for each type of Point-of-Sale (POS) machine you use, so ask the cashier if you need help.