5K Rockford residents expected to lose SNAP benefits over work requirements on May 1

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara is appealing to Rockford residents to donate to food pantries to offset an expected reduction of SNAP benefits for 5,000 local individuals and families.

Beginning in February, all SNAP recipients ages 18 to 64 in Illinois needed to provide evidence of work, volunteer, or participate in qualifying education programs for at least 80 hours a month to continue receiving benefits.

There are specific exemptions to these work requirements for individuals with children under the age of 14 or those who have a medically-certified disability.

“Last July, new federal changes to food assistance put millions at risk of losing support — including hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents. New requirements took effect February 1, limiting benefits for some to just three months over a three-year period. Now, beginning May 1, around 5,000 Rockford residents will lose SNAP benefits – families, neighbors, and kids,” the City wrote on Facebook, along with a video featuring a direct appeal from the mayor. “Our local food pantries are about to be stretched beyond capacity. We need your help – now. If you can, please consider donating to a local food pantry today.”

The city posted another appeal for food pantry donations on Monday.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would create a temporary program to help families who lose federal food assistance after failing to meet new SNAP work requirements.

House Bill 4730 would require the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program, offering a one-time payment to households whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are reduced or terminated due to federal work rules.

Supporters say the measure is designed to prevent sudden food insecurity, while critics have raised concerns about potential costs to the state.

The assistance would only apply when SNAP benefits are cut because a household member failed to meet federal work requirements, not for other reasons such as income changes.

The FRESH program would be temporary, automatically ending on January 1, 2028. DHS would also be required to publish monthly reports showing how many households applied, how many were approved, and how much money was distributed.

HB 4730 is under consideration in the Illinois General Assembly.