Illinois SNAP Benefits to Resume Friday Amid End of Government Shutdown, Officials Say
The US government shutdown has finally come to an end, and Illinois officials have announced that full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will begin flowing on Friday. The nearly 2 million people in the state who rely on the program to buy groceries can expect to receive their full benefits by November 20.
The delay and reduction of SNAP funds during the shutdown created a "necessary hardship" for many families, with food pantries across the Chicago area struggling to keep up with demand. Illinois officials have criticized the Trump administration for choosing not to provide adequate funding, putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of hunger.
The latest bill signed by President Donald Trump will fund SNAP through next September. The average monthly benefit in Illinois is around $370 per person. Some communities, particularly on the West Side, have been disproportionately affected by the shutdown, with 67,600 people receiving SNAP benefits, including 45% living in households that also receive assistance.
As the shutdown comes to an end, residents are breathing a sigh of relief. Clinton Weeks, a 68-year-old who relies on SNAP benefits for his health condition, said he has only received $12 so far this month, compared to his usual $80. He plans to use the limited funds to buy meat and vegetables.
Eva Jones, an 82-year-old, is still waiting for her November SNAP benefits, which she says will cover about $100 worth of groceries. Despite this, she has managed to get by using food pantries and a small supply of frozen food. "I can make a meal out of anything," she said.
The shutdown also had a significant impact on local food pantries, such as Beyond Hunger in Oak Park, which saw triple their usual demand for food. While the situation is still uncertain, officials are working to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food. Hull, CEO of Beyond Hunger, expressed concerns about the upcoming changes to SNAP and how they may affect the most vulnerable members of society.
The community has come together to support those affected by the shutdown. Nearly 30 restaurants have pledged free or discounted meals for SNAP recipients, while others have donated to local pantries. Despite these efforts, some are still worried about when their full benefits will arrive and what changes lie ahead.
The US government shutdown has finally come to an end, and Illinois officials have announced that full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will begin flowing on Friday. The nearly 2 million people in the state who rely on the program to buy groceries can expect to receive their full benefits by November 20.
The delay and reduction of SNAP funds during the shutdown created a "necessary hardship" for many families, with food pantries across the Chicago area struggling to keep up with demand. Illinois officials have criticized the Trump administration for choosing not to provide adequate funding, putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of hunger.
The latest bill signed by President Donald Trump will fund SNAP through next September. The average monthly benefit in Illinois is around $370 per person. Some communities, particularly on the West Side, have been disproportionately affected by the shutdown, with 67,600 people receiving SNAP benefits, including 45% living in households that also receive assistance.
As the shutdown comes to an end, residents are breathing a sigh of relief. Clinton Weeks, a 68-year-old who relies on SNAP benefits for his health condition, said he has only received $12 so far this month, compared to his usual $80. He plans to use the limited funds to buy meat and vegetables.
Eva Jones, an 82-year-old, is still waiting for her November SNAP benefits, which she says will cover about $100 worth of groceries. Despite this, she has managed to get by using food pantries and a small supply of frozen food. "I can make a meal out of anything," she said.
The shutdown also had a significant impact on local food pantries, such as Beyond Hunger in Oak Park, which saw triple their usual demand for food. While the situation is still uncertain, officials are working to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food. Hull, CEO of Beyond Hunger, expressed concerns about the upcoming changes to SNAP and how they may affect the most vulnerable members of society.
The community has come together to support those affected by the shutdown. Nearly 30 restaurants have pledged free or discounted meals for SNAP recipients, while others have donated to local pantries. Despite these efforts, some are still worried about when their full benefits will arrive and what changes lie ahead.
The fact that millions of people had to go without food for a while because of the government's decision is totally on them, not us. And now they're just going to resume the benefits like everything was fine... doesn't seem too hard to fund someone's groceries for a whole month, does it? 
I mean, what's the big deal about paying 370 bucks per person? It's peanuts!
I'm so relieved that the government shutdown is finally over! 2 million people in Illinois were struggling due to the lack of SNAP benefits, it's a huge weight off their shoulders 
. But at the same time, it's not like the problems are going away, they're just being pushed back to next September 
. Hull from Beyond Hunger mentioned that she's concerned about the changes to SNAP, and I gotta agree with her - those who need help the most will likely be hit the hardest 
. On a positive note though, it's awesome to see all these restaurants coming together to support their community 
. Clinton Weeks was only getting $12 this month, can you even imagine? 
80 bucks is what he usually gets and now that's gone... I hope his benefits kick in soon and so do many others 
Food pantries in Chicago area were super busy during shutdown because of people struggling to get food 
It's been a tough few weeks for those struggling to make ends meet, especially with the shutdown putting pressure on food pantries. I mean, can you imagine having to choose between paying rent and buying groceries? 
This delay was a huge hardship for families, especially those in underserved communities like the West Side. I mean, 45% of households that rely on SNAP also receive other forms of assistance? That's just unacceptable 
.
Those changes to SNAP are definitely going to have an impact on vulnerable communities. Let's keep pushing for a more just system 
. I mean, come on, 2 million people in Illinois struggling because of a government shutdown? That's just not right 
. I feel so bad for those families having to go without food, especially the seniors like Eva Jones, she sounds really vulnerable 
. And what's with all these community efforts to support them? It's not enough just to provide free meals, we need a real solution to this problem 
.
. and those food pantries are doing their best but they can only do so much. i hope they start getting those full benefits soon because life is hard enough already 
.
finally! those 2 million ppl who relied on it for groceries r gonna breathe a sigh of relief 
i feel bad for ppl like clinton weeks & eva jones who had to survive on minimal funds this month... food pantries did an amazing job helping out tho 
30 restaurants donating meals for snap recipients is literally the best thing ever 
! Illinois officials r finally sending out those SNAP benefits on Friday 
! My fave non-profit, Beyond Hunger, is gonna make a huge difference with all the free meals and food donations 
$12?!? That's so not cool for him 
. I'm so glad he's got a community that's lookin out for him 
! Only 9 months left 'til Sept 
... fingers crossed they don't cut any more funds 
! Hull from Beyond Hunger is right, though - those most vulnerable people r the ones who need help the most 
. and to know that they'll be getting their full benefits back by november 20 is awesome 
. i'm glad to see communities coming together to support each other too - restaurants offering free meals, local pantries donating... it's amazing what can happen when we look out for each other 
& meat 
on top of everythin' else
at least those affected won't starve 
next month but what about all the ppl who lost their jobs or income during this mess? 
no one deserves 2 struggle just 2 eat 
it's just basic human decency. And don't even get me started on the 67k people who got hit hard on the West Side... 45% of those households also rely on other forms of assistance? How are they supposed to make ends meet with $370 a month? 
but for now let's celebrate the fact that ppl are getting back on their feet 
. So many people are still worried about when they'll get their full benefits, I feel for them 
[GIF of a person checking their phone with a relieved expression] 
] Eva Jones is still waiting for her benefits, but she's making do with food pantries. I'm sure that frozen pizza was delicious 
, but this is about people's basic needs, right? Food should never be a struggle 
And don't even get me started on those 30 restaurants offering free meals – that's just a bunch of handouts, if you ask me 
.