Help with Food Benefits or Health Insurance 

Public benefits help families afford healthy food and overcome poverty.  

• • SNAP provides monthly benefits to purchase groceries. Only certain non-citizens are eligible for SNAP, such as asylees, refugees and some green cardholders. Parents who are not eligible for SNAP can apply for their eligible household members, such as U.S. citizen children.
• Medicaid provides health coverage for families and children. All children under age 19, qualified for Medicaid regardless of parent's immigration status. 
• WIC provides monthly food packages, breastfeeding support and nutrition education for pregnant or nursing mothers and children under the age of 5.

Apply online with the State of Illinois at abe.illinois.gov. If you have any questions, contact the CPS Children and Family Benefits Unit at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or fill out the cps.edu/health encounter form. 

Find a CPS Youth Meal Site 

CPS provides grab n’ go meals for youth. Most sites are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families may pick up three days’ worth of meals for every child in their household. ID is not necessary.  

To find the site nearest you, visit  schoolinfo.cps.edu/mealdistributionsites. 
For more information on CPS meal programs, visit cps.edu or email food@cps.edu 

Find Food for the Family 

If you need food, the Food Depository’s network of community partners is here to help. Everyone is eligible to receive food, regardless of race, religion, immigration status or any other factors. 

To find food programs near you, visit 
chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food or call 
773-247-FOOD (3663)

Additional Benefits 

If you receive SNAP and/or Medicaid, you may also qualify for additional benefits, including discounted internet services, free admission to museums and more.  
See what additional benefits you may be eligible for at chicagosfoodbank.org/resources-for-snap-recipients