Overview
- The federal ABAWD work rule that took effect Friday puts about 150,000 Illinois SNAP recipients at risk unless they complete 80 hours a month or secure an exemption.
- The rule targets able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 without dependents and limits SNAP to three months in three years if they fall short.
- Illinois urges residents to file the SNAP work-rule exemption petition (form IL444-2341S) with the Department of Human Services and to document paid work, training, or verifiable volunteer hours.
- Food banks are staging short-term distributions from May 1 to 3, with Greater Chicago Food Depository, Food Bank for New York City, California Food Banks, Feeding San Diego, and North Texas Food Bank posting maps and calendars.
- Most sites say immigration status is not checked and direct people to tools like Find Food, FoodNow.net, and the 2-1-1 helpline, while groups warn of longer lines and possible hits to stores that rely on SNAP spending.