TEFAP Rules for Food Pantries in Illinois

In Illinois, TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) is run by IL Dept of Human Services (through 7 food banks). This page sets out what a food pantry or other distribution site has to do: who qualifies, what each household declares, what you record at each visit, how long you keep it, how complaints are handled and what you report. Where Illinois's own documents disagree, that is said plainly rather than smoothed over.

Illinois's TEFAP agency and official documents

• IL Dept of Human Services (through 7 food banks) — the State agency's own TEFAP page (checked 2026-10-10).
• www.ibhe.org/assets/files/PIBN/2025/TEFAP-Overview-Sept-2025.pdf (State or food bank document used for the rules below)

Your food bank's agreement and current forms are the final word on the figures and forms to use.

Who qualifies: the income limit

Household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines (official table: IL444-4511 Signature/Eligibility Sheet (state fiscal year Jul-Jun)). Households in these programs qualify without an income test:

• SNAP (adjunct)

Computed as 300% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines. Your State's printed table is the official one and may round differently or take effect on a different date.

The eligibility declaration

Form: IL444-4511 Signature/Eligibility Sheet. How often: annual with verbal attestation each visit. Clients self-declare; proof of income is not required.

What to record at each visit

• date
• household_size
• recipient name
• street address with apt
• city
• children 18 or under (TANF food)
• SNAP yes/no / SNAP referral

Client signature at every pickup: No. Electronic signatures: Yes. Electronic intake: electronic platforms allowed if they capture every field on the state form; forms may not be altered or combined (St. Louis Area Foodbank).

Proxies

IL444-4510 Proxy Statement (recipient, proxy and pantry staff sign; proxy signs in front of staff). When: disabled, aged, infirm or working during hours. The proxy does not have to show ID.

What you must not collect

• ID cannot be required to receive TEFAP food.
• Birth dates may not be collected.

How long to keep records

Not published by the State (or not found in its public documents). The federal minimum is 3 years from the end of the federal fiscal year (7 CFR 251.10(a)(5)).

Civil rights

Complaints: no local forwarding deadline is published — forward promptly to form IL444-4530 (food bank). Anyone may complain, in writing or verbally, without giving a name. Training: annual + new staff.

Posted or handed out:

• And Justice for All
• hours inside and outside
• Beneficiary Rights (on forms)

Reporting

monthly to food bank on Monthly Distribution Activity Report.

• individuals
• households
• children 18 or under
• SNAP households
• SNAP referrals

Age bands: 0–18 / 19+.

Storage temperatures

Refrigerated 35–40°F, frozen at or below 0°F.

Also

• How often households must be able to come: at least once every 30 days
• Sites SHALL NOT require signature, proof of income, residency documents or ID; no birthdates or SSN; appointments may not be required; min 2 hours open per week.

Sources

• stlfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/01-FY25-TEFAP-English-Signature-Sheet-for-publication.pdf
• stlfoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FY26-Distribution-Site-Manual.pdf

TEFAP in nearby States

TEFAP in Indiana · TEFAP in Iowa · TEFAP in Missouri · TEFAP in Wisconsin · all States

This page describes published State and food bank documents and is not legal advice. Your State agency and your food bank agreement are the final word. See also the federal TEFAP record rule and the free TEFAP readiness checklist.