Avelar Looks to Direct Emergency Relief Payments to Low-Income Illinois Families Impacted by SNAP Changes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With uncertainty surrounding new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rules, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar is looking to deliver emergency relief payments to qualified low-income families that have been denied, terminated or face reduced SNAP benefits.

“The so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has left too many families choosing between putting food on the table and meeting these new requirements,” said Avelar. “Stripping or reducing SNAP benefits because someone may not be able to secure a job–often through no fault of their own–is not financial reform, it is a harm on families. The Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program would provide critical relief to reduce the harm directed toward low-income families that the federal government has created.” 

Subject to available funding, Avelar’s House Bill 4730 would establish the FRESH Program through the Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide one-time emergency relief lump sum payments of $600 to households that have been denied, reduced or completely lost SNAP benefits as a result of changes from Congress’ H.R. 1 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Qualifying residents would not need to apply, but would still need to meet federal SNAP eligibility requirements and be living below the poverty line. 

Recently, H.R. 1 made new eligibility requirement changes to SNAP benefit receivers making it so that some recipients had to have a job in order to continue to receive benefits unless they were seniors or disabled. This change impacted many families, resulting in a loss of or reduced SNAP benefits as a consequence of members in the household not being able to obtain a job. The FRESH Program would help individuals in this situation if they meet certain job waiver requirements.

“Every day, people are seeing their grocery bills go up and it’s becoming increasingly expensive to purchase food for larger families,” said Avelar. “This emergency relief payment to households pushed into crisis will offer a necessary lifeline to those hit hardest by these changes. In Illinois we are strengthening food access and supporting vulnerable communities – not creating new barriers to basic survival.”

For more information, please contact info@repdagmara.org.