SNAP benefits are at risk of being cut following President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Big Bill Act," which includes billions of dollars in budget cuts across several social programs.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - SNAP benefits are at risk of being cut following President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Big Bill Act," which includes billions of dollars in budget cuts across several social programs. 

"What people are worried about is how are they supposed to survive and try to buy food on top of paying for rent, paying for medications, paying for trips to the grocery store, [and] how to pay for things when everything's really increasing in price," said Adani Sanchez, client services coordinator for Champaign County Health Care Consumers.   

Illinois was able to attain a waiver for people to continue getting SNAP benefits, but the waiver ends Jan. 31. As of Labor Day, new stipulations are required. The age range for mandatory work requirements has expanded from 18-54 to 18-64 years old. Additionally, previous exempt groups such as homeless individuals and veterans are now required to meet the mandatory work requirements to receive benefits. 

"People are going to have to put money into those more of those services than maybe other things. And so we're going to have to see cities probably make decisions about this as well. Are we going to fund food, or are we going to try to fund housing? Are we going to try to fund these other programming things that make people's lives better?" Sanchez said.  

Regarding the SNAP Benefits, Sanchez said food insecurity will increase. 

"The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is already seeing historical highs for the number of neighbors that are seeking services from our food pantry partner programs. So we know that these SNAP cuts, over time, will increase the number of neighbors that we see at those food pantry sites and our mobile distribution sites," said President and CEO of Eastern Illinois Foodbank Kelly Daly.  

Champaign County Health Care Consumers will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, inside the Champaign Public Library. Talking points will be to discuss the impact of Trump's budget bill and how to adapt. 

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