SNAP Benefits Could Soon End For 1.9M IL Residents Due To Government Shutdown

ILLINOIS — More than 1.9 million Illinois residents could soon lose benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, state officials said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has informed all states that it will not fund November SNAP benefits if the federal government shutdown, now in its fourth week, continues. So, if the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans do not reopen the federal government, SNAP customers will not have access to any new food benefits starting on November 1.

“The SNAP program is one of the most successful anti-hunger initiatives in history, ensuring recipients don’t have to choose between feeding their family or affording other household needs such as medicine or utilities,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “With grocers in many communities already struggling to keep their doors open, the elimination of this vital support puts entire communities at risk of losing access to fresh and healthy food. We urge the federal leaders to work collaboratively to ensure this assistance doesn’t lapse.”

In Illinois, the average monthly SNAP benefit is approximately $370. If Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration re-open the government and pass a budget bill that includes SNAP appropriations by November 1, the state of Illinois expects there would be continuity in coverage, according to IDHS officials.

SNAP is a federally funded benefit and the federal government withholding payments to the state would impact all 1.9 million recipients in Illinois, according to the news release.

The state administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month and "if SNAP funds are not delivered by the federal government, the State of Illinois does not have the budgetary ability to backfill these critical resources," according to IDHS officials.

Of the 1 million households who receive SNAP services, 37 percent have older adults living with them, 45 percent have children and 44 percent have a person living with a disability.

“SNAP is a proven, time-tested program, one that protects children and families from going hungry,” said Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary. “The federal government needs to ensure families receive their benefits on November 1, so their livelihoods are not disrupted.”

The changes come at a time when one in four people are facing food insecurity, and more than a third of households cannot afford the basic cost of living, according to the recently released 2025 Greater Chicagoland Hunger Report, which was put together but the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.

"Access to adequate food is a hallmark of a healthy community. Yet in the Greater Chicagoland area, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table," according to a statement from the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "As SNAP cuts loom and costs soar, we are sounding the alarm. Demand for food is set to surge, putting the health and wellbeing of our children, seniors and families at immediate risk. Now, more than ever, action is needed to ensure no neighbor goes hungry."

Meanwhile, local food pantries are expecting a surge in families looking to them for help, according to officials with the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

“A disruption to SNAP benefits would be devastating for hundreds of thousands of our neighbors who rely on this support to put food on the table. We are committed to doing everything we can to fill the gap but we can’t do it alone. We’re asking our community to come together, as we always do, to ensure no one goes hungry during this uncertain time,” said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank is looking to the "generosity of private donors and community partners for additional donations while urging federal leaders to restore government operations and continue funding for SNAP." Those wishing to donate to the Geneva-based Northern Illinois Food Bank, which has four distribution centers and serves customers in 13 counties, can do so here.

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Tuesday marked the 21st day of the government shutdown.

On Tuesday, Senate Republicans were headed to the White House — not for urgent talks on how to end the shutdown, but for a display of unity with President Donald Trump as they refuse to negotiate on any Democratic demands.

The meeting at the White House appears unlikely, for now, to lead to a bipartisan resolution, with Senate Republicans dug in and Senate Democrats insistent on voting against a House-passed bil that would reopen the government until Republicans engage them.

The longest government shutdown occurred in 2018-2019, during Trump's first presidency, and spanned 35 days.

Those interested in learning more on this evolving situation can get updates from the Illinois Department of Human Services via www.dhs.state.il.us, texting, and mailed notices.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.