SNAP Funding Changes & Local Resources

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has announced that, following a federal court order on November 3, the federal government will fund only half (at most) of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November.

This reduction in funding will make it significantly more complicated for states to issue benefits, which means SNAP payments for November may be delayed by several days or even weeks. In addition, new benefits will be less than in previous months, though any unused benefits from prior months will remain available on recipients’ cards.

IDHS is continuing to assess how these changes will affect Illinois households and will provide updates as more information becomes available. While the court’s decision ensures that some SNAP funding continues, the reduced and delayed benefits will leave many Illinois families struggling.

Currently, 1.9 million Illinois residents rely on SNAP for access to healthy food, including families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.

Local Food Assistance Resources

The City of Evanston encourages community members affected by these changes to seek support from local resources:

• Visit the City’s SNAP Benefits and Food Resources page for up-to-date information on food pantries, community meals, and other assistance programs.

• IDHS has also created a SNAP Federal Impact Center to share the latest updates and guidance for Illinois residents.

Please note that information about SNAP funding and distribution continues to change rapidly. The City will share updates as they become available through e-newsletter and social media channels.

If you or someone you know needs immediate food assistance, please reach out to one of the local food pantries or meal programs listed on our resource page.

Thank you for your patience and compassion as our community navigates this evolving situation together.