Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office is sounding the alarm as 150,000 Illinois residents may lose access to federal food assistance starting May 1st. The warning comes as new federal requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) take effect.
According to the governor’s office, adults aged 18 to 64 who are able-bodied, do not have children under 14, and are not otherwise exempt, risk losing their SNAP benefits if they have not met certain work or engagement requirements since February 1. To maintain eligibility, affected individuals must have worked, participated in a training program, or volunteered for at least 80 hours per month.
Governor Pritzker is urging residents who rely on SNAP to use the state’s screener tool to check whether their benefits are at risk. State officials emphasize the importance of staying informed and taking action before the May 1st deadline to avoid disruptions in essential food assistance.
For more information and access to the screener tool, Illinoisans are encouraged to visit the state’s official SNAP website.