Q&A with Betsy Porter on the potential impact of another SNAP funding pause
The recent federal shutdown put November SNAP benefits at risk, threatening support for the 1.9 million Illinois residents who rely on the program. Governor J. B. Pritzker temporarily directed $20 million to food pantries, though advocates say it falls far short. While full November benefits are now expected to be restored, longer-term policy changes still pose challenges. A federal rule will cut off some legally present immigrants from SNAP on December 1, and starting in 2026, new cost-sharing and reporting requirements under H.R. 1 could further limit access for thousands of Illinois households.
Betsy Porter, JD, clinical assistant professor of public health at the University of Illinois Chicago, explains the ripple effects of SNAP cuts and outlines which groups are most at risk when these benefits are reduced.
What is the role of food banks in the current structure for getting nutrition to those who are food insecure, as compared to government programs like SNAP?
SNAP is the country’s largest nutrition assistance program, supporting more than 40 million people with monthly benefits they can use to buy approved groceries. But those benefits are modest, averaging about $187 per person per month, which amounts to only a few dollars per meal, and eligibility is limited by factors like income, assets, household size, and immigration status.
Food banks play a crucial complementary role. These nonprofit hubs store large quantities of donated or purchased food and supply local food pantries, community centers, schools, and mobile distribution sites. Pantries may set their own eligibility guidelines, but many allow walk-ins with minimal information. All combined, SNAP, food banks, and food pantries form a connected system, each addressing different gaps, and no single piece can meet the need on its own.
Are there groups who are more affected when SNAP benefits are taken away?
Yes, some groups are especially affected when SNAP benefits are reduced, and children are at the top of that list. Cuts to SNAP don’t only limit the food available to families at home. They also affect school meal programs that rely on SNAP participation to determine whether districts qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows all students in high need schools to receive free breakfast and lunch.
Because SNAP eligibility is used as a key measure of how many low income students a district serves, reductions in SNAP will lower the number of schools that qualify for this provision. As a result, many children could lose access to nutritious meals both at home and at school, meaning they are hit twice by the same policy change.
Estimates before the end of the shutdown were concerned that the 20 million dollar boost to food banks would not be nearly enough to meet current needs. With the continuing resolution to fund the government returning at the end of January, how could the State of Illinois be better prepared for another potential shutdown?
The charitable food sector has been clear that it can’t fully fill the gaps left when SNAP benefits are interrupted. Data from Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks shows that for every meal SNAP provides, food banks can provide only one-ninth. SNAP can provide more meals because participants can plan and purchase food strategically for their households, using their own shopping habits and preferences. Food banks and pantries, in contrast, often rely on donated or bulk supplies, which can be less predictable and flexible.
Even with additional funding, food banks alone can’t make up the difference. Many food banks and pantries anticipated the shutdown and prepared using emergency management strategies, similar to hurricane planning, but some still reported a significant surge in families seeking help in early November. To better prepare for future shutdowns, Illinois will need creative solutions to support SNAP directly, rather than relying solely on food banks.
What sort of burdens do documentation requirements present for those benefitting from SNAP?
Documentation for SNAP participants is increasingly burdensome. The USDA recently suggested all participants reapply, and new work requirements now force many to work or volunteer 20 hours per week, or they risk losing benefits after three months. Exemptions have narrowed, affecting some veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth. While Illinois administers SNAP, federal rules dictate funding, meaning stricter paperwork and eligibility rules for participants.
How might Illinois be able to supplement the needs of those who may be taken off of SNAP next year?
With new work requirements and tightened exemptions, some Illinois residents may lose SNAP benefits next year. To help, the state could explore ways to supplement food access beyond SNAP, such as supporting food banks and pantries, expanding emergency meal programs, funding healthy school meal for all initiatives, or creating targeted assistance for groups most affected, like veterans, young adults formerly in foster care, and homeless individuals. Strengthening partnerships with local organizations and investing in programs that fill gaps left by SNAP could help ensure that people still have reliable access to food even if federal benefits are reduced or delayed.
Betsy Porter is open to further comment on this topic and can be reached at epiekarz@uic.edu.
