By: Ashmar Mandou

The latest federal SNAP work requirement will take effect on Friday, May 1st, putting thousands of residents at risk of losing their benefits. At a press conference Monday morning at the Living Fresh Market in Forest Park, Senior Executive Melody Winston and Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for the Greater Chicago Food Depository Danielle Perry spoke out against the changes and how residents should prepare.

At Living Fresh Market in Forest Park, leaders say SNAP is a significant part of their customer base. “The little guy is the one who is fighting for community, the little guy is the one who stays here no matter what the margins are,” said Winston. The market estimates about one-third of its customers rely on SNAP benefits. Store leaders say a drop in those benefits will reduce sales and affect vendors operating inside the store.

The new change will now require certain SNAP recipients to log at least 80 hours a month of work, training or volunteer time to keep benefits. The policy stems from federal changes included in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” last February. The new requirement will put people at risk of losing their food assistance, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “For every meal we provide … SNAP provides 9,” said Perry.

The requirement applies to adult’s ages 18 to 64 who are able to work and do not have children under 14 at home, based on guidance from the Illinois Department of Human Services. State-supported resources include Job Ready Illinois for training hours and Serve.Illinois.gov for volunteer opportunities. Additional guidance is available at snapworkrequirements.illinois.gov.

As many as 150,000 Illinois SNAP participants are on track to lose their benefits by May 1st, according to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “It’s not too late,” said Perry. “That is the number one message we need to tell everyone right now.” People can qualify for exemptions, including if they are pregnant or caring for young children. The state directs recipients to check eligibility and report work activity through its benefit’s portal at abe.illinois.gov. “In short our charity can’t make up for what SNAP can do for every meal. We provide an emergency food system at a pantry or a soup kitchen,” said Perry.

Everyone currently on SNAP is being asked to make sure they check in with the Illinois Department of Human Services to see if they can qualify for an exemption, if not make sure their work information is up to date. For more information or to see if you qualify, visit www.saveoursnap.org. You can also update your information by calling 1-800-843-6154. For a list of organizations where you can volunteer, visit www.mealsonwheelschicago.org or www.nourishinghopechi.org/volunteer/