CDEL Alert to Community Partners About New IL SNAP Work Requirements

Last Updated: 12/9/2025

 In 2025, the federal government recently passed a law that makes significant changes to SNAP, previously known as food stamps. 

What's changing?

Most adults who receive SNAP benefits in Illinois will need to meet new work requirements. We expected these changes to start on December 1, 2025, but our best information is that the rules will go into effect on February 1, 2026. That means the earliest SNAP recipients could lose SNAP benefits for not meeting the work requirements would be in May (since you can receive up to 3 months of SNAP without meeting or being exempt from the work requirements). SNAP recipients should still try and meet the work requirement or request an exemption as soon as possible.

Who must meet the work rules?

Adults ages 18-64 (who do not have children under age 14 in their household) who do not qualify for an exemption. These individuals are called Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (also called ABAWD). 

What must SNAP recipients do?

Complete at least 20 hours per week to receive benefits by doing one or more of the following:

  • Work (earning $935 per month before taxes)

  • Volunteer at a nonprofit or community organization

  • Participate in job training or education programs approved by the Illinois Department of Human Services

Who is exempt?

SNAP recipients do NOT have to meet work requirements if you are: ‎ 

  • Under 18 or over 64 years old

  • Pregnant

  • Have a physical or mental medical condition that prevents work or makes it difficult to maintain work (you don't need to apply for or be receiving Social Security disability benefits to show you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to work)

  • Living in a household with a child under the age of 14

  • Caring for an incapacitated person (the person you're caring for doesn't need to live with you)

  • Are enrolled in school or training at least half-time

  • Are pregnant

  • Are receiving or applying for unemployment

  • A regular participant in a drug or alcohol treatment program

Next steps: 

CDEL's community partners can help their community members in the following ways:  

  • Point SNAP recipients to their ABE account, the online benefit portal. After a SNAP recipient logs in, they should be able to click on a link that says, “Check if I meet SNAP work requirements.”

  • Help SNAP recipients navigate the online screening tool (also available in Spanish) to see if they must meet work requirements.

    • Print Illinois Department of Human Services forms

    • Help SNAP recipients complete and submit the forms 

  • Stay up-to-date on changes by visiting the Illinois Department of Human Services' SNAP Federal Impact Center

  • Share information about free food programs in Illinois by visiting Find Food Illinois