Overview
- Adults 18 to 64 without dependents under 14 must document at least 80 hours per month of work, training or approved volunteering or face a three-month limit within a three-year period.
- Illinois officials say about 100,000 people have filed for exemptions so far, and up to 340,000 residents could be affected by the expanded requirement.
- The change broadens who is subject to the rule to include people experiencing homelessness, veterans and parents of teenagers 14 or older.
- The state offers an ABE SNAP Work Requirements screener and a 1-800-843-6154 hotline for checking status, reporting hours and requesting exemptions.
- Food pantries report widespread confusion and prepare for a surge in need, citing a previous month with 240,000 household visits when SNAP was disrupted and warning of local economic impacts.