It’s time for Illinois to join other states around the country and raise the minimum benefit for our state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. The Greater Chicago Food Depository and our partners are advocating to raise the minimum benefit from the federal floor of $23 per month to $75 per month using state funds.
This increase would provide essential support for low-income residents, enhance food security, and stimulate local economies. Additionally, this action will protect Illinois residents from future federal level cuts to the nutrition safety net which could exacerbate food insecurity in our communities and put enormous pressure on our emergency food system.
What is the current SNAP minimum benefit in Illinois and why is it not enough?
SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) is the primary source of nutrition assistance for over 1.07 million households in Illinois. This modest safety net benefit is a critical foundation for the health and well-being of low-income people. Nationally, SNAP lifts millions of households above the poverty line and improves people’s food security, allowing them to spend more on nutritious food than their limited budgets would otherwise allow.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all SNAP households received the maximum monthly benefit ($281 per month for a single-person household in FY23) because of changes at the federal level. In March 2023, the enhanced benefits ended and SNAP benefits returned to regular levels.
The federal SNAP minimum benefit, currently set at $23 per month, does not meet the basic nutritional needs of individuals and families facing economic hardship. Many residents in Illinois rely on SNAP for food assistance, yet the low minimum benefit amount is not keeping pace with cost of living or elevated food prices. The average cost of a meal in Illinois is $3.98, so $23 per month only buys 5.8 meals, or enough for two days. The result is that many Illinois residents are simply not getting the help they need to avoid being hungry.
Hunger is on the rise in Illinois. 20% of Illinois households and 24% of households with children experiencing food insecurity – similar levels seen during the first few months of the pandemic.
Our federal nutrition safety net is under threat. The current Federal House proposal for the farm bill would cut SNAP benefits by $30 billion over the next 10 years, and cuts and restrictions to SNAP and other safety net benefits will be a focus for President-elect Trump’s next administration. Acting now to create a higher floor for SNAP benefits in the State of Illinois will protect thousands of Illinois residents from hunger in the years ahead.
How can we fix the minimum SNAP benefit in Illinois?
Illinois can provide a minimum monthly SNAP benefit of $75 per month for all households, supplementing the federal minimum benefit with state funds.
- Estimated number of impacted households: 178,690
- Estimated cost: $111.5 million/year, plus administrative costs
What are the benefits of raising the SNAP minimum benefit?
- Improved Food Security: Increasing the minimum benefit to $75 per month would enhance the purchasing power of low-income households, allowing them to purchase a wider variety of foods and reduce food insecurity.
- Economic Stimulus: Food assistance programs have a high economic multiplier effect. Every dollar spent on SNAP generates $1.5 in economic activity, benefiting local grocery stores and farmers. Increasing the benefit to $75 per month could inject $167.25 million into local economies annually.
- Public Health Improvements: Adequate nutrition is crucial for physical and mental health. Increased SNAP benefits would reduce the risk of diet-related diseases, ultimately decreasing healthcare costs for both individuals and the state.
- Addressing Hunger Among Seniors:
- While this proposal will benefit all SNAP households receiving below $75 per month, it will have a heightened impact for many households with seniors.
- Nationally, households with seniors are twice as likely to receive the minimum benefit, typically due to the income they receive from pensions or Social Security.
- The small size of the minimum benefit may be why so many seniors who are eligible do not apply for SNAP. Nationally, only 55% of eligible older adults in the nation participate in SNAP, compared to 88% of all eligible people – leaving valuable federal resources on the table to combat hunger.
- Reduce Pressure on the Charitable Food System:
- Food banks throughout Illinois ─ and our network of thousands of local partners ─ have seen a significant increase in families seeking food assistance. For example, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northwest Indiana Food Bank and Northern Illinois Food Bank have seen 57% more household visits to local food pantries and free grocery programs in FY24 compared to FY20.
- Raising the SNAP minimum benefit will help households afford more groceries and reduce some demand at our network of partner sites.
What other states have increased their minimum benefit?
- New Jersey: In 2022, New Jersey increased its minimum SNAP benefit to $95 per month.
- Maryland: In 2024, Maryland raised its minimum benefit to $50 per month for seniors (60+).
- New Mexico: In 2024, New Mexico raised its minimum benefit for seniors and people with disabilities to $100 per month.
- New York: New York State legislators introduced a bill to raise the state’s minimum SNAP benefit to $100 in late 2023. It has not yet been adopted.
For more information, please contact Hillary Caron, Senior Policy Advisor, at [email protected] and Skyler Larrimore, Interim Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at [email protected].