Illinoisans who lost SNAP benefits to get one-time benefit of $400 per eligible household member

(WAND) - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services announced people in Illinois who lost their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will get a one-time $400 benefit per eligible household member through the new Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program.

This $70 million program was enacted as part of the Governor’s FY27 budget.

Approximately 100,000 Illinoisans will get a one-time benefit beginning August 1, and IDHS will provide funding each month to more people who lose coverage until funding is exhausted.

“At a time when the cost of groceries, gas, and utilities are all rising, Donald Trump and Republicans decided to strip food assistance from nearly 100,000 people,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In Illinois, we passed the FRESH program to help provide some relief for families kicked off food assistance, but no state can backfill the cruel and imminent cuts set in motion by Trump’s budget bill.”

“Trump’s SNAP cuts are having real, dire consequences for families across Illinois,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Agriculture is Illinois' number one industry, so we know Ag isn’t just about what happens on the farm. It touches every kitchen table and grocery store in every community. The FRESH program is one more way Illinois is stepping up to help families weather rising costs while supporting a food system that serves us all.”

FRESH Program Overview

There is no paperwork or application required to receive the FRESH benefit payment.
Eligible households have one or more members who lost benefits and did not regain eligibility, due to neither meeting nor being exempt from new, broadened work requirements.
A notice will be mailed to eligible households who will receive these benefits.
- Note: If a customer receives a notice of eligibility but no longer has their Link card, they can request a new one by visitingwww.EBTedge.comor calling 1-800-678-LINK (5465).
Individuals are eligible to receive a FRESH benefit one time.
For eligible households who lost benefits after May 1, 2026, but before August 1, benefits will begin being deposited as a cash payment on Illinois Link cards by August 1, 2026.
Starting in August 2026 through June 2027 or until funding has been exhausted, households with eligible members will be issued FRESH benefits after the 16th of the month in which they lost access to SNAP.
Receiving a FRESH program payment will not impact eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), AABD Cash, Medicaid, or other similar benefit programs.

“Every family deserves reliable access to food,” said IDHS Secretary Dulce M. Quintero. “The FRESH program provides options to help our SNAP customers put food on the table. We are proud to invest in solutions that support families, strengthen communities, and promote well-being across Illinois.”

As of July 2026, nearly 150,000 Illinoisans lost SNAP benefits due to HR1. The State of Illinois has worked with people to help them regain access to food assistance, but nearly 100,000 people are without SNAP benefits. They will be receiving support from the FRESH Program this week.

Households with newly eligible members will be issued one-time FRESH benefits after the 16th of the month in which they lose access to SNAP until funding is exhausted.

SNAP customers with questions can visit dhs.illinois.gov/fresh.