$400 Emergency Relief Payment for Illinois Residents Who Lost SNAP Benefits

Illinois is offering temporary financial support to help residents who lost their SNAP food benefits due to expanded federal work requirements.

Through a new $70 million state program called Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH), eligible households can receive a one-time cash payment of $400 per qualifying member.

How Much Money Can Households Receive?

Because the $400 payout is calculated per eligible individual, the total assistance depends on how many qualifying members live in your household:

• 1 eligible person: $400
• 2 eligible people: $800
• 3 eligible people: $1,200

Note: This is a one-time cash benefit, not a recurring monthly payment, and it does not permanently replace lost SNAP assistance.

Who Qualifies for the Payment?

You may be eligible for the FRESH payment if:

• A member of your household lost SNAP benefits after May 1, 2026, because they did not meet expanded work requirements or receive an exemption.
• That person has remained ineligible for SNAP. If someone lost benefits temporarily but got back on SNAP before the FRESH payment was processed, they will not qualify.
• Residents who lose SNAP benefits between August 2026 and June 2027 may also qualify, with payments issued after the 16th of the month they lost coverage (subject to available funding).

Receiving this emergency assistance will not impact your eligibility for other public benefits like Medicaid or TANF.

How Do You Get the Money?

• No application required: You do not need to fill out any paperwork. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will automatically review records to find eligible households.
• Mail notification: Qualifying families will receive a letter in the mail.
• Payment method: The funds will be deposited directly as a cash benefit onto your existing Illinois Link card.

What if you lost your Link card?

If you receive an eligibility letter but no longer have your Link card, you can order a replacement by:

1. Using the EBT Edge app/website.
2. Calling the Illinois Link Help Line at 1-800-678-5465.

If you think you qualify but have not received a notice, ensure your mailing address is up to date in the IDHS system or contact the department directly to verify your status.

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