Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are set to take effect in Illinois on February 1st and May 1st, 2026, potentially impacting up to 340,000 residents. The new requirements, stemming from a federal budget bill, introduce stricter work stipulations for SNAP recipients.
Changing Work Requirements in Illinois
Under the new rules, “able-bodied adults without dependents” – previously defined as individuals aged 18-54 with no children under 18 or disabilities – will face limitations on benefit duration if they do not meet work requirements. Starting February 1st, these individuals may only receive SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year period unless they are actively working or qualify for an exemption. By May 1st, those who have received benefits for three months without meeting the requirements will lose access to the program.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) now recognizes additional groups as potentially exempt from the work requirements, including individuals experiencing homelessness and veterans. An online screener is available to help recipients determine their eligibility and potential exemptions: https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD?lang=EN.
Ways to Meet New Requirements
Individuals subject to the work requirements can fulfill them through several avenues. These include working – whether paid or unpaid – for an average of 20 hours per week, volunteering through an approved organization for the same amount of time, or participating in an approved work program like SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T). IDHS provides a locator tool to find participating providers: IDHS: Employment & Training Opportunity Office Locator.
SNAP Lawsuit and Other Changes
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined 21 other attorneys general in November 2025 to sue the Trump administration over changes to SNAP eligibility. The lawsuit argues that the USDA is improperly excluding lawful permanent residents from receiving benefits. The state is also communicating with SNAP participants to help them navigate the changes.
While 18 other states have implemented restrictions on the types of food SNAP recipients can purchase, Illinois has not adopted similar measures. The USDA has stated that the administration is focused on strengthening the integrity and nutritional value of the SNAP program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an “able-bodied adult without dependents”?
Prior to the federal budget bill, this term applied to adults ages 18-54 with no children under 18 living at home and no disabilities. The new requirements expand this definition to include people ages 55-64 with no disabilities, people with children 14 or older, people experiencing homelessness, and veterans.
When will the new requirements go into effect?
The first phase of the new requirements takes effect on February 1, 2026. On this date, able-bodied adults without dependents who do not meet work requirements may only receive SNAP for three months in a three-year period. The second phase, where those individuals will lose benefits, begins May 1, 2026.
How can SNAP recipients find out if they are affected by these changes?
SNAP recipients can use an online screener provided by IDHS to determine if they are subject to, meeting, or may be eligible for an exemption from the new SNAP Work Requirements: https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD?lang=EN.
How might these changes impact food security for vulnerable populations in Illinois?
