Children and Family Benefits Unit
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The Children and Family Benefits Unit helps CPS parents get the help they need
The sole mission of Children and Family Benefits Unit (CFBU) is to connect CPS families to the public benefits they are entitled to, such as Food Stamps/SNAP and free and low-cost health insurance by educating them about their potential eligibility, assisting them with the initial enrollment process and providing assistance on their behalf to ensure that applications are successfully completed and approved.
CFBU consists of 14 school-based liaisons, the majority of whom are bilingual and bicultural, located in schools throughout the city, in addition to a handful of administrative staff in the Central Office. In addition to assisting at their home schools, every Liaison is assigned to work with an additional 60 schools. The Liaisons are equipped to enroll families in income-support programs and advocate on their behalf. View the full list of the  CFBU Liaisons.
Available benefits
- Food stamps, otherwise known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or "SNAP" provide a stable resource to ensure that families have regular access to food.
- Free or low-cost health insurance for kids and youth: The All Kids program offers comprehensive healthcare that includes doctor's visits, hospital stays, emergency room care, prescription drugs, asthma inhalers, vision exams and eye glasses, hearing aids, immunizations and dental care.
- Free or low cost health insurance for parents: FamilyCare offers healthcare coverage to parents living with their children 18 or younger as well as to relatives (including grandmothers) who are caring for children in place of their parents. Like All Kids, FamilyCare covers doctor visits, dental care, specialty medical services, hospital care, emergency services, prescription drugs and more.
CFBU estimates that more than 50,000 CPS students are eligible for Medicaid or some other type of low/no-cost health insurance program, but are not currently enrolled. With the assistance of the Children and Family Benefits Unit, getting enrolled in Medicaid and/or food stamps (SNAP) is not as difficult as parents think. Last year, CFBU provided application assistance for 14,614 children, with an approval rating is almost 90 percent.
Examples of how CFBU can help
Read stories about real-live CPS parents and guardians who have benefitted from the CFBU's help:
How to apply for public benefits with CPS
There are several ways to apply for public benefits. If you would rather apply for benefits with Chicago Public Schools' CFBU instead of going to your local Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) office, call CFBU's hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437) or contact the Liaison at the school located closest to you. Here's what happens next:
- CFBU Liaison will talk to you about your needs and suggest what programs to apply to.
- Using information provided by you, the CFBU Liaison will complete the application
- The Liaison will mail the application to your home for review.
- If everything looks okay, you will then mail the application, along with needed documents, back to the Liaison.
- The Liaison will submit the application to the local IDHS office on your behalf.
- The local IDHS office has 30 business days to process a food stamp application and 45 days to process a medical application.
- You will receive the notification or denial of benefits through the mail. If you do not receive something within the expected time period, contact the Liaison.
- If you think you were wrongly denied benefits, contact the Liaison who might be able to assist in getting your application approved.
Why should you apply?
CPS clearly understands that if children arrive hungry or miss school because of lack of health insurance, they will be less able to succeed academically. Having health insurance and adequate food in the home help to ensure a child has a healthy start at being a successful student. SNAP can increase a family's income by up to 30 percent a year. Also, every $5 of SNAP dollars spent generates approximately $9.20 in the local economy. Not only are families and students benefiting from the programs, it is also a benefit to community and school. Don't feel upset or embarrassed – there's no shame in accepting the help you need for your family.
Commonly asked questions |
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View the English income guidelines.
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Food Stamps |
All Kids |
Family Care |
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Household Size |
Gross Monthly Income Limit
before Taxes/Deductions |
Gross Monthly Income Limit
before Taxes/Deductions |
Gross Monthly Income Limit
before Taxes/Deductions |
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1 |
$1,180 |
$1,863-2,793 |
$1,722 |
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2 |
$1,594 |
$2,523-3,783 |
$2,333 |
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3 |
$2,008 |
$3,183-4,773 |
$2,943 |
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4 |
$2,422 |
$3,843-5,763 |
$3,554 |
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5 |
$2,836 |
$4,503-6,753 |
$4,164 |
View the Spanish income guidelines.
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Food Stamps |
All Kids |
Family Care |
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Numero de personas
en la familia |
Limite de ingresos
mensuales antes de
impuestos y deducciones |
Limite de ingresos
mensuales antes de
impuestos y deducciones |
Limite de ingresos
mensuales antes de
impuestos y deducciones |
|
1 |
$1,180 |
$1,863-2,793 |
$1,722 |
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2 |
$1,594 |
$2,523-3,783 |
$2,333 |
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3 |
$2,008 |
$3,183-4,773 |
$2,943 |
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4 |
$2,422 |
$3,843-5,763 |
$3,554 |
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5 |
$2,836 |
$4,503-6,753 |
$4,164 |
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Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements you can still qualify for benefits if you are a homeowner.
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A child is eligible for medical benefits until they reach their 19th birthday. Once a child turns 19, he/she is no longer eligible for benefits. They could, however, be eligible for SNAP (food stamps). There is no age cap on SNAP.
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Yes, these are the same benefits that your local IDHS office offers; however, we offer the convenience of applying for benefits at one of CPS' schools or even by just calling us on the phone.
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Yes, as long as you are not over the income guidelines you will be eligible. Many working families receive benefits.
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Eligibility is determined by household size, gross monthly income (income before taxes) and your net income (income after taxes).
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To be eligible for any benefit program, one must meet the income guidelines first. In addition, to be eligible for food stamps, if you are over 18 years old, you must be either be a citizen or have been a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) for at least five years. If you are under 18, you must be a citizen or LPR. You can receive food stamps the day you become an LPR if you are under 18 and eligible. There are no citizenship requirements for All Kids, you can be undocumented and still receive medical benefits if you are under 19 years of age. If you are undocumented and pregnant, you also can receive medical benefits. All other adults must be an LPR for at least five years to be eligible for All Kids.
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Neither food stamps or medical care are considered welfare. You will not have to repay anyone back.
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Your DHS office is determined by your zip code however you can change your office is another office more convenient for you.
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No, receiving food stamps or medical benefits will not affect your child's ability to receive government assistance for college.
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No, you will not be considered a public charge for receiving food stamps or medical benefits.
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| Page Last Modified on Friday, May 25, 2012 |
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