FRESH PROGRAM
The Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program is a temporary emergency cash support for people who saw a loss or reduction of SNAP benefits due to new work requirements. Read below to learn more.
The FRESH Program in Illinois
The State of Illinois has created a new program called FRESH – Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger. FRESH will provide one-time emergency cash support of $400 to people who lost their SNAP, or had their SNAP benefits reduced, specifically because of the SNAP work requirements.
What is FRESH?
FRESH is a temporary program created in 2026 to respond to federal cuts to SNAP in HR1.
The FRESH program provides a one-time only cash support for people who lost their SNAP or had SNAP benefits reduced due to federal work requirements. See below for more information on eligibility.
The FRESH program will end on July 2027 or when all funds are spent.
Who is eligible for FRESH benefits?
Eligible SNAP recipients who saw a loss or reduction of benefits on or after May 1st, specifically because of not meeting the newly imposed SNAP work requirements.
Eligible SNAP recipients can receive FRESH benefits even if other members of their household continue receiving SNAP.
Please note: There is no application process for FRESH. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) maintains records of eligible individuals and will contact those individuals directly. See below for more information on how benefits are distributed.
Who is NOT eligible for FRESH benefits?
Individuals who immediately take action to prevent their SNAP case from closing and have their benefits reinstated will NOT receive FRESH at that time. They can become eligible for FRESH if they lose benefits in the future.
Individuals who have benefits impacted for reasons other than the work requirements will NOT be eligible for FRESH.
How are FRESH benefits distributed?
FRESH is a one-time payment. This program is not a replacement for monthly SNAP benefits.
Eligible individuals will receive a one-time $400 cash deposit to their household’s Link/EBT card or to a new card.
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will reach out to eligible individuals at their most updated contact information. Individuals should check their mail or contact IDHS directly if they feel they may be eligible for FRESH benefits.
For individuals who had benefits impacted in May, June or July, payments will be provided on or after August 1st.
For people who had benefits impacted in August or later, payments will be provided in the same month the loss or reduction of SNAP occurred.
Lost SNAP? You have options.
If you lost SNAP benefits due to new work requirements, you may be eligible to reapply and regain your benefits. Click here to find out if you may be exempt (or “excluded”) from the new work requirements. For help reporting your exemption or reapplying for SNAP, contact a Benefits Specialist at the Food Depository at (773) 247 - 3663 (FOOD).
Learn more about fulfilling the new work requirements at this link.