120,000 Illinois residents risk losing SNAP benefits under new work rules
Updated
Updated · WBEZ Chicago · Apr 30
120,000 Illinois residents risk losing SNAP benefits under new work rules
7 articles · Updated · WBEZ Chicago · Apr 30
Losses begin May 1 after Illinois's waiver ended; the state now estimates 120,000 at risk, down from an earlier 280,000 projection after exemptions.
The February changes require many recipients to work or volunteer 80 hours monthly, expanding rules to people aged 55 to 64, veterans and some parents.
Illinois and community groups have launched volunteer and workforce programmes, while advocates urge appeals or reapplications; another 16,000 people already face separate eligibility-related SNAP losses.
What is the true economic cost to Illinois communities when thousands suddenly lose food assistance?
Why might new 80-hour work rules be an impossible hurdle for Illinois' older, low-income residents?