Nearly two million Illinois residents, including more than 12,000 in the 19th Illinois House District, rely on SNAP benefits, and they have endured major disruption for food support this month due to the federal government shutdown and the Trump administration’s refusal to release emergency funding, according to state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-19).

The 19th District includes much of the Far Northwest Side, including all or part of Portage Park, Jefferson Park, Gladstone Park and Old Irving Park.

The Illinois Department of Human Services is set to distribute the full amount of benefits by Nov. 20, LaPointe said. However, she said, many Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients struggle with food access due to low benefit amounts, high grocery prices and long lines at local food pantries.

For singles, the maximum monthly benefit is $298 per month while the income limit is $2,071 per month. The minimum benefit for those with incomes hovering near the maximum eligibility is $23 per month, LaPointe said.

Major changes to SNAP benefits are coming in the future months due to congressional action via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, HR 1, signed into law on July 4th.

The most immediate changes include work requirements for able-bodied adults ages 19 to 64 that go into effect Dec. 1, with a March 2026 deadline. Many groups previously exempt from work requirements, including veterans, parents with children age 14 and older, homeless people, and adults age 54 and older, will be subject to work requirements, according to LaPointe’s office.

From a state budget perspective, the bill shifts some costs of SNAP benefits from the federal government to the states for the first time in the program’s 60-year history, currently estimated at a $705 million cost shift from the federal government to Illinois. Additionally, although the government has historically covered 50 percent of the administrative costs for SNAP, the bill decreases this coverage to 25 percent, costing the state $80 million per year.

These changes, in addition to new work requirements, require the Illinois Department of Human Services to grow capacity for administrative work to the tune of 250 full time employees, costing an estimated $20 million, according to LaPointe’s office.

 “HR1 puts up roadblocks for our neighbors on the Far Northwest Side to effectively and efficiently access the food support they rely on to live,” LaPointe said.

She added, “I’m deeply concerned that our local food pantries will be overloaded, with longer lines of people waiting outside as the weather gets colder. An estimated 25 percent of people will lose benefits due to federal changes and this means 3,000 area residents.

“It’s also maddening that the state is forced to spend more money on bureaucracy and administrative work to meet the requirements of HR1. Our valuable state dollars should be going to things like direct food support, public education and property tax relief – to name a few – instead of building up the bureaucracy as the feds shift costs to the states. No one should go hungry in the richest country in the world.”

Ahead of the holidays season, LaPointe’s office coordinated with local pantries and partners to create a guide of nearby food pantries and regular hot meals available to Far Northwest Side neighbors.

“These local organizations and groups, primarily run by volunteers, are the backbone of the hyper local safety net,” LaPointe said

The chart on page 5 shows a list of local food pantries.

LaPointe’s office also is highlighting “Love Fridges,” considered mutual aid, where local community members can stock public fridges and anyone can access food for free, no questions asked.

The following is a list of local area “Love Fridges:” 

Storehouse Church, 5701 W Montrose Ave., Friendship Community Place, 5150 N Northwest Hwy. – open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., and St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3857 N Kostner Ave.

For Thanksgiving holiday, there are two places where neighbors can go for a holiday meal on Thursday, Nov. 27, both free and open to the public. The Joined Hands Food Pantry will host dinner from noon to 4 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4939 W. Montrose Ave., and  St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3857 N. Kostner Ave., will host a Thanksgiving meal at 1 p.m. Reservations for Saint John’s Episcopal can be made by calling 773-725-9026, and walk-ins also are welcome.

“It’s essential that we come together to keep our food pantry shelves filled, LaPointe said. “If you can give, we ask that you step up to volunteer, donate, or raise awareness of the need or where to find support. Whether it’s dropping off donations, helping with food distribution, or volunteering for a grocery pick-up, we appreciate every one of you who is taking action to ensure that none of our Far Northwest Side neighbors go hungry in the face of these SNAP changes. We are forever grateful to our longtime food pantry leaders and volunteers.”