Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaNew work eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, is set to start Feb. 1. Borderless Magazine breaks down who’s still eligible, what to know about these changes and what immigrants can do now.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides grocery assistance to nearly 2 million people in Illinois. But recent changes to the program have led some beneficiaries to question whether they could get SNAP benefits for much longer.
Starting Feb.1, adults between the ages of 18 and 64 must be working or volunteering a minimum of 80 hours per month to qualify for SNAP benefits following President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
This means over 340,000 people in Illinois could lose food benefits if they cannot meet work requirements or qualify for an exemption, and around 14,000 legally present immigrants in Illinois are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits due to eligibility changes, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
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Some local organizations and food pantries have been working to help beneficiaries prepare for this potential loss in assistance.
“The [Greater Chicago] Food Depository is in close communication with our network of partner food pantries and programs throughout Cook County,” GCFD Manager of Communications Camerin Mattson said. “We will do everything in our power to make sure food is available for anyone who visits a local pantry.”
Meanwhile, Illinois leaders are working to help beneficiaries learn about these changes in work requirements and understand their options.
“No one in Cook County should have to choose between buying medicine, paying rent or putting food on the table,” President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Toni Preckwinkle said in a press conference last month.
As new changes for SNAP beneficiaries begin this month, Borderless Magazine breaks down who’s eligible, what to know about these changes and what beneficiaries can do now.
What is SNAP?
SNAP, or food stamps, provides cash assistance for low-income families to buy groceries. Roughly 42 million people across the country benefit from SNAP.
“SNAP is our nation’s frontline defense against hunger,” Mattson said. “SNAP benefits spent at local businesses also help keep grocery stores open, create jobs and generate tax revenue that supports local communities.”
An individual’s eligibility for SNAP and the decided amount is dependent on income, expenses and the number of people who live and eat together within a household.
Beneficiaries may only use SNAP funds to purchase food products or seeds and plants to produce food. The cash assistance can not be used to buy hot, ready-to-eat foods, vitamins, medicine, pet foods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco or any nonfood items.
What are the new SNAP work requirements?
Adults between the ages of 18 and 64 without dependents under 14 are required to be working or volunteering a minimum of 80 hours per month to qualify for SNAP benefits, under the new work requirements.
To meet the new requirements, IDHS says beneficiaries must:
- Work — unpaid or paid — an average of 20 hours per week;
- Volunteer with a SNAP Employment and Training activity like basic education, vocational training, work experience, community workfare or Earnfare; or
- Do self-initiated community service with a community-based organization for an average of 20 hours per week; or
- Do any combination of the three.
Anyone who does not meet these new requirements will only be eligible for three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period.
After three months, those who still do not meet the work requirements will lose their SNAP benefits. They will not be able to apply again for three years, but can become eligible to receive benefits again if they work the required hours or participate in a training activity for 30 days.
Beneficiaries can see whether they qualify for an exemption here.
What are other upcoming changes?
Beginning April 1, refugees, asylees and other people granted humanitarian protections who previously qualified for SNAP will no longer be eligible.
After April 1, only the following immigration statuses will be eligible:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders),
- Cuban and Haitian entrants and
- Individuals lawfully residing in the U.S. in accordance with a Compact of Free Association (COFA).
IDHS is not currently implementing these federal changes as Illinois is involved in an ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration over the removal of SNAP benefits from noncitizens.
“IDHS is reviewing newly issued federal guidance to determine next steps and impacts on Illinois’ noncitizen SNAP participants,” IDHS stated on its website. “IDHS will continue sharing updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
What can beneficiaries do now?
IDHS suggests that beneficiaries keep their benefit information up to date, report any household changes in income or dependents and verify that they receive the correct monthly SNAP amount based on their approval notice.
In addition to federally funded programs, food assistance is available through local food pantries and mutual aid groups that host food distribution events.
Tara Mobasher is Borderless Magazine’s newsletter writer and reporter. Email Tara at [email protected].
