Some participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can now use their benefits to purchase prepared food from participating restaurants, including Head West Sub Shop.
The Illinois Department of Human Services has expanded its restaurant meals program and now has 55 businesses participating statewide. Head West is the only one in central Illinois currently taking part.
Businesses participating in the Illinois Department of Human Services’ restaurant meals program cannot charge taxes or additional fees for SNAP purchases and must provide a 10% discount on all menu items.
Matthew Bluhm, owner of Head West Sub Stop, said the program is a chance for businesses to support more community members with limited means.
“We love being able to be part of this program,” Bluhm said in an IDHS press statement. “Providing prepared meals to people in need is a great opportunity for us to help give back to our community.”
The restaurant meals program was launched in 2022 as a pilot and opened more slots for interested businesses in June 2025, according to IDHS. Since then, the department has expanded the program even as the number of SNAP recipients has shrunk following the additional of federal work requirements.
Adults from the ages of 18 to 64 (rather than 54) with dependents over the age of 14, or without dependents, are required to work or volunteer in order to receive SNAP benefits. The previous age cap for dependents was 18 years.
Those not in compliance with the federal government’s requirements are allowed to receive benefits for “three months within a fixed three-year period,” according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. “People who are not exempt from the work requirements, are not meeting the work requirements and have already received three months of SNAP benefits will no longer be eligible to receive SNAP benefits for the remainder of the fixed three-year period,” though anyone can regain eligibility by proving one month’s worth of work, training or volunteer status.
The restaurant meal program serves SNAP households where all members are one or more of the following:
- age 60 and older
- have a disability
- are spouses of eligible elderly or disabled customers
- are experiencing homelessness
IDHS information for customers
To confirm if your household is eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program:
- A notice of program eligibility is sent to households when they are determined eligible.
At any time, households can check their current program eligibility status by:
- Logging into their EBT account on the ebtEDGE app or online at Sign In – ebtEDGE™. Eligibility for the Restaurant Meals program is indicated in the wallet screen above the balance.
- Logging into or signing up for a Manage My Case Account at ABE.Illinois.gov and checking the Food Benefit section of the account.
If SNAP customers receive a notice of eligibility and have questions or need help with their case:
- Call the IDHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154/1-866-324-5553 TTY.
- Visit a local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). Find locations: dhs.illinois.gov/officelocator
View the full list of participating restaurants and locations: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=146353
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