A Note From Jennie: The Future of SNAP in Illinois

Published on October 20, 2025
SNAP Changes: How Can You Help?

Dear community,

In my many years working in the food insecurity field, I have never been more concerned about families struggling with hunger. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid will greatly increase the demand for food assistance: not just from individuals who were or will now be food insecure, but from food pantries like our own who are already experiencing resource cuts as the need to continues to skyrocket.

The law Congress passed over the summer contains the most significant cuts and stricter eligibility requirements to SNAP and Medicaid in programs history. Food and healthcare will be taken away from millions of people nationwide, including 450,000 Illinois residents.

More than that, the timeline to implement these changes has been hazardously moved up by the Trump Administration, giving local legislators just 2 weeks to implement them. This is unprecedented, and impossible to do with any efficiency or accuracy.

In the past, limits on SNAP meant that certain adults ages 18-49 and without dependents were limited to 3 months of SNAP benefits every 3 years. This year, President Trump signed H.R. 1 into law, now placing these same, harmful time restrictions on:

  • adults up to age 65
  • parents, grandparents, or caregivers of children ages 14 or older
  • veterans
  • adults experiencing homelessness, including homeless families with teenage children
  • youth aging out of foster care

The future of SNAP is up to us.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

These changes remove vital support from already vulnerable populations. I am grateful for our Benefits Services Team, who is preparing by staying up to date on all SNAP changes and how they affect Illinois, as well as sharing these changes and potential alternatives with anyone looking for food assistance. 

Illinois must prepare for new financial shocks caused by this legislation or risk losing the program for everyone.

Our voices, including yours, are needed NOW. You can help by sending an email to your General Assembly members to let them know that supporting people who lose SNAP benefits is non-negotiable. Help us end hunger and protect our neighbors, together.

As changes continue to occur, we will keep you updated and informed on the impacts to us and our communities.

With gratitude,
Jennie Hull, CEO
 
 
LEARN HOW TO TAKE ACTION
 

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

 
Times of uncertainty remind us to double down on what we know works. Supporting local organizations like Beyond Hunger ensures we can continue our programming as uninterrupted as possible:
 
  • DONATE funds and food to make a direct impact on our community. With our purchasing power, just $1 = 3 meals.
  • ADVOCATE by staying up to date on policy and legislation that affects our neighbors. Resources like the Food and Research Action Center and the Greater Chicago Food Depository keep up-to-date lists of advocacy resources.
  • VOLUNTEER your time and help us as we continue to serve 69,700 individuals every year.