Lost Your SNAP Benefits? You May Qualify for a One-Time $400 Payment

Illinois is offering temporary food assistance to residents who lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits because of stricter federal work requirements.

The Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) program provides a one-time $400 cash benefit for each eligible household member.
 

Who is eligible for the $400 payment?

A household may qualify if one or more members lost SNAP benefits on or after May 1, 2026 because they did not meet the new work requirements and were not granted an exemption.

The person must also remain ineligible for SNAP at the time of payment. If someone lost benefits but regained coverage before the FRESH payment was processed, they may not qualify.

Don't miss: SNAP Benefits Payment August 2026: State-by-State Deposit Schedule You Need to Know

Each eligible person can receive the $400 benefit only once. The program is not a recurring monthly payment and does not replace ongoing food assistance.

People who lose SNAP between August 2026 and June 2027 may also qualify for FRESH while funding lasts.
 

How to get the FRESH payment

No application or paperwork is required. The Illinois Department of Human Services will automatically review its records, identify eligible households, and issue the $400 cash benefit to each qualifying person.

The money is deposited as cash onto the household’s existing Illinois Link (EBT) 

Qualifying households will receive a notice in the mail explaining the payment. If a household no longer has its Link card, a replacement can be ordered through EBT Edge or by calling the Illinois Link Help Line at 1-800-678-5465.

The payment is classified as cash rather than regular SNAP food assistance. Recipients should check the notice and their Link account to confirm when the money becomes available and how it can be used.

Anyone who believes they qualify but doesn’t receive a notice should confirm that the address associated with their benefits case is current and contact the Illinois Department of Human Services for information about their SNAP closure and possible FRESH eligibility.

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