Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) took effect on Sunday, leading local food pantries and nonprofits in Chicago to prepare for increased demand.
The modifications are part of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” The new law introduces stricter work requirements for Illinois residents who previously qualified for waivers. Adults aged 18-64 who receive SNAP benefits must now demonstrate they work, participate in education or training programs, volunteer, or engage in community service for at least 80 hours each month.
According to Governor JB Pritzker’s office, these changes could result in up to 360,000 people in Illinois losing their SNAP benefits. This figure includes as many as 20,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, and young adults who have aged out of foster care. State data shows that more than 1.8 million people in Illinois were receiving SNAP benefits as of September.
Under the new regulations, adults must show proof of work until age 64—an increase from the previous cutoff at age 54. Work requirement waivers now only apply to adults with children aged 14 or younger living at home; previously, the exemption covered those with children under 18. Veterans, young adults formerly in foster care, and people experiencing homelessness are also no longer exempt from these requirements and must meet them to continue receiving federal food assistance.
Those unsure if they are affected by the changes can use a screener test provided by the state. SNAP recipients who had a waiver have been notified about the updates by city officials. The Greater Chicago Food Depository stated that the federal government may issue warnings by February 28 to participants not meeting the new criteria. Benefits could be cut off by May 1 for those who do not comply.
For more information on these changes, individuals can contact the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at 800-843-6154.
Residents seeking food assistance can turn to resources such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which supplies food free of charge through a network of over 850 distribution sites across Chicago and Cook County. The organization offers a Find Food Locator tool online for locating nearby food distributions or warm meals. We Got You Illinois also provides an online mapping tool for finding food assistance locations. Those unable to access online tools can call the Greater Chicago Food Depository at 773-247-3663 or dial 211 within Cook County for immediate help.
“Francia Garcia Hernandez contributed reporting.”
