Illinois Restoring Full SNAP Benefits After Shutdown Ends

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) says full SNAP benefits are being restored statewide now that the federal government shutdown has ended. Officials expect all remaining November payments to be issued over the next several days, with every SNAP household receiving its full benefit amount by Nov. 20.

Roughly 1.9 million Illinoisans depend on the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. IDHS said the lapse in funding created “unnecessary hardship” for families, seniors, and businesses across the state.

State officials also sharply criticized the shutdown’s handling, saying the crisis “was entirely avoidable.” According to IDHS, the Trump Administration had the authority and funding to continue SNAP but did not do so, “putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of hunger.”

Residents can check their Illinois Link EBT balance online at the Illinois Link Card website or by calling the Illinois Link Help Line at 1-800-678-LINK (5456). Benefits remaining on cards from previous months are still available for use.

Additional SNAP updates and food-access resources are available at the IDHS SNAP Federal Impact Center.