What is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly called food stamps, is a government program that allows families and individuals the choice to purchase the food they need to lead healthy lives. In Illinois, SNAP benefits are provided on a Link card that looks like a debit card. SNAP benefits can assist you and your family with affording the food that is best for your needs.
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Email: Benefits@GoBeyondHunger.org
Phone: (708) 386-1324 ext. 1106
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Hotline: (708) 406-7295
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SNAP Rules Have Changed
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On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a federal law that requires Illinois and all other states to implement changes to SNAP. These changes will affect SNAP eligibility for many noncitizens. The new law also requires that many adults meet work requirements in order to continue receiving benefits.
Eligibility for Non-citizens
Undocumented immigrants were never eligible for SNAP, but some legally present immigrants were. Now, legally present immigrants will no longer be eligible for SNAP unless they are:
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Legal permanent residents (green card holders) of five years
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Cuban and Haitian entrants
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Individuals residing in the U.S. in accordance with a Compact of Free Association (COFA)
The new immigrant eligibility changes will go into effect on April 1st, 2026. These changes remove SNAP eligibility for:
- Refugees
- Asylees
- Victims of human trafficking
- Certain victims of violence and torture
- And other historically qualified statuses
Changes to SNAP Work Rules
The work rules comprise two categories: (1) General work provisions and (2) the Able-bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements.
General Work Provisions
No changes have been made to the general work provisions which include:
- Registering for work
- Participating in SNAP Employment and Training (E&T)
- Taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing work hours below 30 hours per week without a good cause
Work Requirements for ABAWDs
If you are aged 18-64, able to work, and do not have any dependents under the age of 14, you might need to meet both the general work provisions and an additional work requirement for ABAWDs to continue receiving SNAP.
ABAWDs will be required to work or volunteer a minimum of 80 hours per month to receive SNAP benefits. To meet this requirement, a person must:
- Work (Paid or unpaid)
- Participate in a work program (includes SNAP Employment & Training Programs)
- Volunteer to do community service, or
- Participate in a combination of the above for a total of at least 80 hours a month
What Changed?
Before the federal budget bill, ABAWD work requirements applied to adults ages 18-54 who had:
- No children under 18 living at home
- No disabilities
Now, more people must meet or be exempt from work requirements, like:
- People, with no disabilities, ages 55-64
- People with children at home who are 14 or older
- People experiencing homelessness
- Veterans
- Young adults who grew up in foster care
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I am a non-citizen who will no longer qualify for SNAP, when will I lose my benefits?
Those who have been receiving benefits will not immediately lose their benefits until after their redetermination point. Additionally, individuals can continue to submit SNAP applications until April 1st. If someone applies for benefits and is approved for SNAP by March 31st, they could keep their benefits until their six month redetermination.
VTTC, a state-funded food program similar to SNAP, may be available to some immigrants affected by the changes, including:
- Asylees
- T-Visa holders
How do I know if I need to meet the ABAWD work requirement?
The Illinois Department of Human Services has sent notices along with a copy of an exemption form to all current and new SNAP participants who are subject to the ABAWD work requirement.
To check if you are subject to, meeting, or may be eligible for an exemption, complete the SNAP Work Requirements Screener.
When do the new SNAP work requirements begin?
Able-bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) have until February 1st, 2026 to begin meeting the new work requirement. ABAWDs who do not meet the work requirement or who are not exempt by February 1st, 2026 may only receive SNAP for 3 months within a 3-year period.
ABAWDs who do not meet or become exempt from the work requirements with the 3 months will lose their SNAP benefits on May 1st, 2026.
What if I am unable to work?
If you have received a notice from the Illinois Department of Human Services indicating that you must meet the work requirement but you are unable to work, you may qualify for an exemption. A person is exempt from the ABAWD work requirement if they are:
- Younger than 18 or older than 64
- Pregnant
- Experiencing chronic homelessness
- A parent or other member of a household that includes a child under the age of 14
- Responsible for the care of a child under 6 or a person who needs help caring for themselves
- Experiencing a physical or mental condition that prevents them from working or makes it difficult to maintain work
- Alaskan Native, American Urban Indian, Californian Indian
- Receiving and meeting the work requirements for TANF
- Receiving unemployment benefits or if they have applied for unemployment benefits
- Regular participants of a drug or alcohol treatment program (not including AA or NA)
- Going to school, college, or job training program at least part-time
- An AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer working 30 or more hours a week
How can I submit a request for exemption?
You can submit your exemption forms by uploading to them to ABE Manage My Case, in person, or by mail to your local FCRC. Exemption forms have been included with the IDHS notices but can also be downloaded using the ABE screener tool.
Our Benefits Services team can help you access and submit exemption forms.
What if I do not qualify for an exemption?
If you do not qualify for an exemption, you must meet the work requirements to continue receiving benefits. Contact our Benefits Services team or visit our Resource Library for employment and training resources.