New SNAP work requirements go into effect Feb. 1, threatening recipient
eligibility
[January 29, 2026]
By Jenna Schweikert and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR)
New work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
go into effect Feb. 1, threatening benefits for hundreds of thousands of
Illinoisians.
Adults aged 18 to 64 without dependents under age 14 will be required to
work, participate in SNAP Employment and Training programs or volunteer
for at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Previously, only
adults aged 18 to 54 without dependents under age 18 had to meet those
requirements.
H.R. 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” set these new SNAP
requirements and made changes to many other federal programs when it was
signed into law in July 2025.
Up to 340,000 Illinoisians are at risk of losing their benefits with the
new requirements, according to the Illinois Department of Human
Services. Adults who do not meet the requirements can only receive SNAP
benefits for up to three months in a three-year period.
As of September 2025, nearly two million Illinois residents were using
SNAP benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Two major changes to SNAP
Most SNAP recipients must meet general work requirements by applying for
and accepting available work, participating in SNAP Employment and
Training and not voluntarily quitting or reducing work hours below 30 a
week without good reason.
Some recipients are automatically exempt from this requirement based on
factors like age, while others must submit exemption forms if they meet
other criteria like homelessness or certain health conditions.
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Fruits and vegetables are pictured at a County Market grocery store
in Springfield. The items are eligible for purchase under the
federal SNAP program. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew
Campbell)
A smaller group of SNAP recipients known as ABAWDs, or able-bodied
adults without dependents, must meet further requirements if they are
not exempt.
H.R. 1 made two major changes by modifying the definition of ABAWDS and
implementing more work requirements for the newly defined population,
ending Illinois’ long-term work requirement waiver for existing ABAWDs,
according to IDHS.
“Trump’s budget bill is designed to deliberately prevent Americans and
Illinoisans from receiving assistance through the SNAP program by
implementing new requirements that burden states and individuals who
rely on this 100 percent federally funded benefits resource,” Summer
Griffith, a spokesperson for IDHS said in a statement.
SNAP recipients must also continue to update their income and household
information to ensure they are receiving the correct benefits and
meeting the applicable requirements.
“The Illinois Department of Human Services is communicating with SNAP
participants regarding upcoming changes to SNAP and continues to provide
support as people navigate new processes and changes imposed by the
Trump Administration,” Griffiths said.
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