Illinois will distribute emergency payments to help cover the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits caused by the Trump administration’s attacks on the program, thanks to a plan State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. fought tirelessly to pass.
“The creation of the FRESH Program is Illinois stepping up to help our neighbors with food insecurity when the federal government fails to,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “This program provides immediate support for those who lost or received reduced SNAP benefits due to changing eligibility, ensuring that they will be able to put food on the table for themselves and their family.”
Over one hundred thousand Illinois residents have lost or are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits due to federal requirements signed into law last summer by the Trump administration – placing them at immediate risk of hunger. Beyond instituting new 80-hour-per-month work requirements, the federal administration also removed exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals and young adults aging out of foster care – people who already face significant hardships and are more likely to live in poverty.
Under the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger – or FRESH – Benefits Program, the Illinois Department of Human Services will automatically provide a one-time $400 payment to households who were already SNAP recipients and lost benefits because of federal requirements. IDHS will begin distributing the one-time payments Aug. 1 for individuals whose benefits were impacted in May, June and July.
“This historic loss of benefits demands a historic response,” Sims added. “The FRESH Benefits Program will meet the moment and mitigate the immediate risk of hunger for thousands of families in our state.”
The FRESH Benefits Program builds on Illinois’ efforts to increase food accessibility by coordinating a statewide distribution of emergency assistance – benefitting families, local grocery stores and ensuring Illinois continues to address hunger in the face of federal inaction.
Eligible individuals do not need to take any action to receive the FRESH benefit. To obtain further information about the program, click here.
