New SNAP Requirements & What They Mean for Maine Township

In late 2025, major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) went into effect that will significantly impact how low-income residents qualify for and retain food assistance. These federal rules are part of sweeping legislation passed in Washington D.C. and are now active in Illinois and will directly affect families and individuals served by programs like the Maine Township Food Pantry.

What Changed at the Federal Level?

On July 4, 2025, Congress passed and the President signed a federal spending and policy package that included fundamental changes to the SNAP program. These changes:

  • Expanded work requirements for many SNAP recipients.
    • Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) ages 18–64 must now work, train, volunteer, or participate in approved activities for at least 80 hours per month to maintain eligibility. Previously, only ages 18–54 were routinely subject to these rules.
  • Reduced exemptions that had applied to groups like veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults who aged out of foster care which means that these groups are now generally subject to the work requirements unless otherwise exempt under specific criteria.
  • Changed household exemption rules so that only households with children under age 14 are automatically exempt from work requirements; previously, children under 18 often qualified households for exemptions.
  • Altered immigrant eligibility, removing SNAP eligibility for many non-citizens previously allowed under humanitarian protections.

If an individual subject to these work requirements fails to meet them, they may receive no more than three months of SNAP benefits within any three-year period, which amounts to a dramatic shift for many families.

Federal guidance from USDA indicates that these rules will be rolled out throughout 2026, with states implementing compliance timelines and reporting requirements.

How Illinois Is Responding

The State of Illinois is required to implement the federal changes, and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has published guidance on how the new rules affect eligibility and benefit retention for SNAP participants.

According to an updated IDHS SNAP fact sheet:

  • Individuals between 18 and 64 must generally meet the new work or training thresholds to continue receiving SNAP benefits.
  • There are still exemptions for:
    • People under 18 or over 64,
    • Households with a child under 14,
    • Those who are medically unable to work,
    • Pregnant individuals,
    • Some Native Americans and caregivers of incapacitated persons.
  • Activities that count towards the work requirement include paid employment, vocational training, community service, and approved SNAP Employment & Training programs.
  • Failure to meet the work requirement may limit SNAP eligibility to three months and trigger a three-year ineligibility period unless compliance is later demonstrated.

At the state legislative level, Senate Bill 3276 has been introduced to create a “SNAP Response Working Group” within the Commission to End Hunger. This working group would:

  • Analyze the federal SNAP changes and their projected impacts on Illinois residents
  • Gather data and cost projections on SNAP participation
  • Provide policy recommendations to the General Assembly on mitigating potential harms
  • Report findings by early 2027

While not yet law, this bill signals a proactive effort by Illinois lawmakers to understand and respond to federal reforms and protect vulnerable populations.

Anticipated Impact on the Maine Township Food Pantry

The new SNAP rules will likely have multiple effects on food security in Maine Township:

  1. Increased Demand for Emergency Food Assistance

Stricter work requirements are expected to reduce the number of SNAP recipients who remain eligible for benefits, at least temporarily. According to national reporting, these requirements could lead to millions fewer SNAP participants over the next decade. This shift may lead more local families to seek help from community food pantries like the Maine Township Food Pantry, as a safety net while they navigate new eligibility complexities.

  1. Greater Administrative Burden on Clients

Individuals must now track and report work hours or participation in qualifying activities. Misunderstandings or gaps in reporting could unintentionally result in benefit loss, prompting more families to turn to pantry services while they seek clarity or appeal decisions.

  1. Population Groups Newly Subject to Rules

People who were previously exempt such as veterans or individuals experiencing homelessness may now be subject to work requirements. These groups are already among those most vulnerable to food insecurity, meaning there could be an expanded user base for local food support programs.

  1. Spotlight on Support and Outreach

Organizations like Maine Township and our local community organizations will play a critical role in helping clients understand their SNAP eligibility, navigate state reporting systems, and connect with employment training or volunteer opportunities that can satisfy federal requirements. The Township General Assistance Department offers financial assistance, utility assistance and others forms of support that may be beneficial to residents in addressing hardship.

GA can assist with Snap appeals, renewals, and application processes, as well as help residents explore additional community resources - This includes referrals to organizations that offer employment assistance, resume reviews, job training, job fairs, counseling services, and volunteer opportunities.

Looking Forward

The full implications of the new SNAP rules are still unfolding nationally and in Illinois. State-level work groups like the one proposed in SB3276 may help tailor responses to protect communities from hunger and ensure support systems adapt effectively.

For Maine Township residents relying on SNAP or those who may soon need additional support community food pantries and local advocacy organizations will be vital touchpoints for nutrition assistance, guidance, and resources during this transition.

The Maine Township Food Pantry has been helping to address issues of food insecurity since 1981. The recently-remodeled pantry is open to residents of Maine Township between the hours of 10-1 Tuesday and Friday and 2:30-4:30 on Wednesday.

Residents can choose the items they need with a grocery-store-like shopping experience including a selection of dairy, meat, produce, and other refrigerated and frozen items. The Food Pantry saw over 10,000 visits in 2025, benefitting over 20,000 people. In 2025, 993 new families signed up for food pantry services.

For more information visit our food pantry webpage.