Snap Enrollment Down 16% in Illinois a Year After Program Changes

Illinois food assistance enrollment has dropped sharply one year after new federal eligibility rules took effect. The Illinois Department of Human Services reports about 1.6 million residents were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in June, down from nearly 1.9 million a year earlier. That marks a 16-percent year-over-year decline. The change follows action by President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress to revise SNAP participation requirements. New work requirements were applied to additional groups of enrollees in April and May. State officials say the June numbers reflect the ongoing impact of those policy changes on food benefit access across Illinois.