The Basic Steps to Get a LINK Card

A LINK card is the plastic debit card Illinois uses to deliver SNAP benefits (food information) to households that meet income requirements. To get one, you must first be found may be able to access through the Department of Human Services, then request the card itself — these are two separate steps, and the second one is what this guide covers.

Once you know you meet the income and citizenship rules, you can request your LINK card by phone, online, or in person at a local DHS office. The fastest method is usually the phone line or online portal, which take about 10 minutes. In-person visits take longer but let you ask questions and handle other DHS matters at the same time.

Your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you request it. Until it arrives, you can use a temporary number to buy food at stores that accept SNAP. The card works like a debit card at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers — but only for food, not prepared meals or non-food items.

Key Takeaways

  • You request your LINK card by calling 1-877-20-LINKS, visiting abe.illinois.gov online, or visiting a DHS office in person after you are found may be able to access for SNAP.
  • The card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, and you can use a temporary number to shop while you wait.
  • You will need your Social Security number and date of birth ready when you request the card, whether by phone or online.
  • If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement the same way you requested the original, and a new one ships within the same timeframe.

Requesting Your Card by Phone

Call the LINK card customer service line at 1-877-20-LINKS (1-877-205-4657) from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready. The representative will confirm your identity and address, then issue you a temporary card number you can use right away at any store that takes SNAP.

Your permanent card will be mailed to the address on file with DHS. If you have moved since you applied for SNAP, update your address with DHS before you call, or tell the representative your new address during the call so the card goes to the right place. If you do not have a permanent address, ask about having the card held at a local DHS office for pickup instead.

The phone line can be busy during peak hours (late morning and early afternoon on weekdays). Calling early in the morning or in the evening usually means shorter wait times. If you reach a representative who cannot help you, ask to be transferred rather than hanging up and calling back.

Requesting Your Card Online

Go to abe.illinois.gov and log in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and a password you choose. Once logged in, look for the option to "Request LINK Card" or "Order Card" — the exact wording changes, but it is always in the main menu.

You will be asked to confirm your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address. Double-check the address: this is where your card will be sent. If the address is wrong, correct it before you submit. The system will give you a temporary card number when ready that you can write down or screenshot.

The online portal is open 24 hours a day and usually processes requests faster than the phone line because there is no wait. If you have trouble logging in or cannot find the request option, the phone line can help you navigate the website or process your request over the phone instead.

Requesting Your Card in Person at a DHS Office

Find your local DHS office by visiting abe.illinois.gov and searching for "office locator," or call 1-877-20-LINKS and ask for the nearest location. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number on it. Arrive early in the day if possible — DHS offices are busiest in the afternoon.

Tell the staff member you want to request your LINK card. They will confirm your identity and address, just as the phone representative would. You will receive a temporary card number on the spot and can ask questions about how to use it, where to shop, or what foods you can buy. Your permanent card will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

In-person visits are useful if you need to handle other DHS matters at the same time — for example, reporting a change in income or household size, or asking about other programs you might be may be able to access for. However, wait times can be long, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays. Call ahead if your office allows it to ask about current wait times.

Using Your Temporary Card Number

As soon as you request your LINK card — whether by phone, online, or in person — you receive a temporary card number. This number works when ready at any store that accepts SNAP, even though your physical card has not arrived yet. You can use it online, over the phone, or in person by giving the number to the cashier.

The temporary number is tied to your account and draws from the same balance as your permanent card will. You do not need to do anything else to set up it. If you shop online, you will enter the temporary number as your card number and the expiration date and security code that came with it.

Once your permanent card arrives, you can throw away the temporary number — or keep it written down as a backup. Both numbers work until your permanent card is activated. To set up your permanent card, insert it into an ATM or call 1-877-20-LINKS and follow the prompts.

What to Do If Your Card Does Not Arrive

If 10 business days have passed and your card has not arrived, call 1-877-20-LINKS or visit abe.illinois.gov to check the status. Have your Social Security number ready. The representative can tell you whether the card was mailed and to which address, and can reissue it if it was lost in the mail.

If the card was sent to an old address, you can request that a new one be sent to your current address. This takes another 7 to 10 business days. In the meantime, continue using your temporary card number. If you moved and did not update your address with DHS, do that first — go to abe.illinois.gov, log in, and update your profile, or call 1-877-20-LINKS and ask a representative to do it for you.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Card

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call 1-877-20-LINKS right away. The representative will deactivate your old card so no one else can use it, and will issue you a new temporary card number you can use when ready. Your replacement card will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days.

If your card was stolen and you think someone used it, report it as soon as you notice. DHS can investigate unauthorized charges and may be able to restore your balance. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovering the money. Keep your receipt from the call or online report in case you need to follow up.

If your card is damaged — cracked, bent, or the magnetic stripe does not work — you can request a replacement the same way. You do not have to prove the damage; just tell the representative the card is not working and they will send you a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request my LINK card before I am found may be able to access for SNAP?

No. You must be found may be able to access for SNAP first through the DHS process process. Once DHS approves your SNAP case, you can then request your LINK card. If you are still waiting to hear whether you are may be able to access, contact DHS to check the status of your case before you request the card.

What if I do not have a permanent address to put on my LINK card?

Tell DHS you do not have a permanent address when you request your card. Some offices can hold your card at a local DHS office for you to pick up, or can send it to a shelter, community center, or trusted contact's address. Call 1-877-20-LINKS and explain your situation — they can work with you to find a solution.

Can I request a LINK card for someone else?

No. Each household member with SNAP benefits gets their own card, and each person must request it themselves or a legal guardian must request it on their behalf. If you are a guardian, bring proof of guardianship to a DHS office or explain the situation when you call 1-877-20-LINKS.

How do I know if my temporary card number is working?

Try using it at a store or online retailer that takes SNAP. If it is declined, check that you entered the number correctly, including the expiration date and security code. If it is still declined, call 1-877-20-LINKS to confirm the number is active and your account has a balance.

What happens to my LINK card if I move to another state?

Your LINK card stops working in other states. If you move, contact DHS in your new state to transfer your SNAP case and request a new card for that state. Your old Illinois card will no longer work once your case is closed.