Overview
- Congress expanded SNAP work requirements to cover more people, resulting in many Illinois households losing benefits after the rules took effect on May 1.
- Illinois created the FRESH program and set aside $70 million in the FY27 budget to deliver one $400 payment per eligible household as a temporary backfill.
- State officials said deposits will begin appearing automatically on eligible LINK cards starting Saturday, August 1, with no application required.
- FRESH is limited to households whose SNAP was reduced or stopped specifically because of the federal work rules and will continue until July 2027 or until the $70 million is exhausted.
- Local food banks and neighborhood pantries are offering outreach and benefit navigation to help people replace lost assistance and to handle requests for replacement LINK cards.