A new state program took effect on Saturday, August 1st to provide food benefits to Lawrence County residents and others who have recently become ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to federal changes.
The Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program allows households that lost their SNAP benefits earlier in the year to get a $400 one-time payment. The money comes from a $70 million appropriation included in the 2027 fiscal year budget to establish a state food assistance program.
According to the Illinois Department of Labor, about 150,000 Illinoisians were expected to lose their food stamp benefits this year after new work requirements established by Congress went into effect May 1st. About 1.5 million Illinois residents got SNAP benefits in June, down from compared to April numbers.
Eligible households in Lawrence and others who lost the benefits due to the federal changes are automatically enrolled in the FRESH program and will receive the one-time payment to their Illinois Link card to use to purchase food.
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