Despite shutdown, Illinois residents will get SNAP benefits

Illinois residents who count on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive benefits for February despite the partial federal government shutdown, state officials said Friday.

The Illinois Department of Human Services figured out a way to provide benefits through SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, which is federally funded.

“There’s something of a catch and that is those benefits will have to be issued early,” IDHS Secretary James Dimas said Friday. “It’s going to be really important that people understand that this is early and not extra. These benefits have to last them through the end of February.”

Benefits will be available by Jan. 20, nearly three weeks before some families normally receive their credits to buy food with an Illinois Link Card. Over 870,000 Illinois households, or about 1.8 million people, receive assistance statewide, the agency said.

Dimas said his agency is trying to find ways to provide benefits for March in case the government shutdown isn’t resolved. The partial government shutdown is a result of President Donald Trump and Congress being unable to agree on a budget bill.

Greg Trotter, a spokesman for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, said while they are committed to helping combat food insecurity they could never replace what SNAP assistance does for families.

“According to our estimate, for every one meal that the food depository provides in Cook County, SNAP benefits provide the equivalent of eight meals,” Trotter said. “If SNAP was disrupted there is no way, despite our best efforts, food banks like ours would be able to fill that void.”