Important Update About Recent Illinois SNAP Changes
If you are among the estimated nearly two million Illinois residents who depend on the benefits from the Supplementary Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table, it is critically important that you know about major changes that are now in effect for the program.
What are the new SNAP requirements?
As of last month, under a new federal law, Illinois expanded SNAP work requirements for individuals aged 18 to 64 years old without dependents under age 14. If you are in that category, you are now required to complete 80 or more hours of work, training, or volunteering every month to maintain your benefits. Failure to meet this requirement potentially could mean your SNAP benefits will be terminated by May 1 of this year. For every month you don’t meet those work requirements, that’s a strike against you. And after three strikes, you’re off SNAP for a three-year period.
Illinois officials estimate that with these changes, as many as 340,000 of the state’s residents could lose their benefits. Previously, under federal law, only adults aged 18 to 54 years old without dependents under age 18 had to meet a work requirement. But because Illinois had a waiver, nobody had to.
Are you exempt?
There are some exemptions to the work requirements. Individuals are generally exempt from the strict ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) 3-month time limit if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Are 17 or younger or age 65 or older;
- Experiencing a physical or mental condition that limits ability to work;
- Experiencing chronic homelessness;
- Pregnant (any stage of pregnancy);
- Living in a SNAP household with a child age 13 or younger;
- Are an Alaska Native, American Indian, American Urban Indian, or California Indian (as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act);
- Residing in a waived county or area;
- Receiving a discretionary exemption by the FCS Central Office staff;
- Otherwise exempt from the SNAP Work Provisions, except those who are exempt due to their age being 60 or older.
Have you qualified for Social Security disability benefits? Or are you applying or appealing for disability benefits?
In most cases, individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are eligible for exemption from SNAP work requirements. Generally, you do not need to formally request an exemption from SNAP work requirements; you are typically considered exempt based on your disability status, which the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) should already have on file.
If you have a pending SSI or SSDI application or appeal, you are exempt from the work rules, but you must request the exemption to get it. In general, you do not need to provide any 3rd party medical verification (Form 2340) or even verification of your pending SSI or SSDI claim or provide any further explanation or details. In fact, the best practice is to simply check the appropriate box on the exemption request form (Form 2341) that says you have a medical condition that prevents you from working or makes it difficult to maintain work, and not provide any additional information unless asked directly by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) for verification.
How do you apply for exemption from work requirements?
If you are currently receiving SNAP benefits, we strongly recommend that you check in with the Illinois Department of Human Services to see if you qualify for an exemption, and if not, make sure your work information is up to date. Illinois residents can request an exemption from SNAP work requirements with IDHS in any of these 3 ways:
- Request the exemption electronically if you have an ABE account.
- Complete the IDHS SNAP Work Rules – Request for Exemption Form (Form 2341), available in English here and in Spanish here.
- Call the IDHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154 and request the SNAP Work Exemption by phone.
IDHS is currently not providing a written notice to inform people if their request for exemption is granted. To check whether a request has been approved, clients can call the IDHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154 OR call or visit their local FCRC office.
Do you have to recertify for SNAP?
Bear in mind that you must regularly recertify for SNAP benefits. You are required to submit a renewal application before your certification period ends to avoid a break in benefits, typically every 6 to 12 months. Watch for a “Notice of Expiration” or recertification packet, which arrives about 30 to 45 days before your benefits end. Complete, sign, and submit this form along with required documentation (income, expenses, etc.). Go to abe.illinois.gov, log into your account, and select “Manage My Case” to complete your renewal form. You may also be required to complete a phone interview, which must be scheduled at least 11 days before your benefits expire.
Where can you get free help?
If you need more help, Legal Aid Chicago has staff dedicated to helping people in Chicago with SNAP work requirement and exemption issues. Their services are free.
