On July 4th, 2025, H.R. 1 was signed into law, attacking key government services including SNAP and Medicaid. Since the passage of H.R. 1, the federal government has only caused further confusion and stress for many people with disabilities, leaving people uncertain about what will happen to their benefits.
If you or a loved one rely on SNAP and Medicaid, it is important to know how what impact these changes will have on your benefits.
New Work Requirements
To qualify for SNAP, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) ages 18-64 must meet work requirements unless you meet an exemption.
Not sure whether you qualify for an exemption? Take this state screener to find out. Many recipients with disabilities already meet the requirements for an exemption—don’t assume your benefits will be cut without verifying.
FRESH Benefits
The state of Illinois has launched FRESH (Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger) to help those who lost benefits due to new work requirements. Eligible households receive a one-time $400 cash payment automatically deposited to their Illinois Link/EBT card. Learn more about FRESH benefits in this resource from the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Dive Deeper into SNAP Changes
The Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) has developed a great resource to help the disability community understand changes to SNAP and Medicaid. Explore their online toolkit.