Federal officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have informed all states that it will not fund November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the federal government shutdown, now in its third week, continues. As a result, SNAP customers will not have access to any new food benefits starting on November 1, 2025, unless Congress re-opens the government. SNAP is a 100 percent federally funded benefit and the federal government withholding payments to the state would impact all 1.9 million recipients in Illinois. The state administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month, funding that feeds families in every corner of the State. SNAP, a vital lifeline to nutrition and essential part of the state’s social safety net, serves 1.9 million individuals in Illinois each month, including 1 million households. Of those SNAP serves:

• Thirty-seven percent SNAP households have older adults

• Forty-five percent SNAP households have children

• Forty-four percent SNAP households have a person with a disability

Illinois administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month, funding that feeds families in every corner of the State. The average monthly SNAP benefit is approximately $370. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will keep customers informed on this evolving situation, including via: www.dhs.state.il.us, texting, and mailed notices.