Illinois Payments Will Counter SNAP Cuts—What Are Other States Doing?
Summary
Illinois will give one-time payments of $400 to people who lost federal food aid because of new work rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This state program aims to help families cope with rising costs after changes under President Trump’s 2025 law reduced SNAP benefits nationwide.Key Facts
- Illinois started giving $400 payments from August 1 to households that lost SNAP benefits due to new rules.
- The program, called FRESH, will spend up to $70 million on these payments without requiring a new application.
- SNAP helps low-income people buy groceries, but new federal rules in 2025 added work requirements for many adults aged 18 to 64.
- About 5 million fewer people receive SNAP nationally after these rule changes.
- Illinois identifies eligible residents automatically and deposits money onto their Link card, used for food aid.
- Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton said the payments are needed because the federal rules hurt many families.
- The 2025 law removed some previous exceptions for veterans, homeless people, and former foster youth.
- Receiving state payments does not affect eligibility for other aid programs like Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
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