Illinois Democrats Promote FRESH Program Providing $400 Food Assistance Payments (Chicago, IL) – Illinois Democrats are highlighting the state’s new FRESH program, which provides one-time $400 payments to eligible households that lost federal food assistance following changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility.
The program, approved as part of the state’s fiscal year budget, allocates $70 million to provide relief to approximately 100,000 Illinois residents who were affected by recent federal policy changes. Eligible households began receiving automatic one-time payments of $400 per qualifying household member starting Aug. 1.
State Rep. Edgar González, D-Chicago, recently discussed the program during an interview with Univision Chicago, where he said the funding was included in the state budget championed by Gov. JB Pritzker.
“Thanks to the governor and the budget he championed, $70 million was allocated for this program, under which every person who lost their benefits can receive a one-time payment of $400,” González said.
González said the program was created in response to changes made at the federal level that have affected food assistance recipients in Illinois.
“We know that President Trump and Congress made many changes, and those changes affected more than 100,000 people here in Illinois,” González said. “That’s why the governor created this program—to help those who are in need.”
During its report, Univision noted that millions of Americans have experienced reductions or the loss of SNAP benefits nationwide. The station reported that as many as 150,000 Illinois residents have either lost or are at risk of losing federal food assistance provided through the state’s LINK card program.
The FRESH initiative is intended to help eligible Illinois residents purchase groceries as food prices remain elevated.
One Illinois resident interviewed by Univision welcomed the assistance.
“It’s really good for the people who need it and whose paychecks often aren’t enough,” the resident said. “It’s a huge help.”
Illinois Democrats have described the FRESH program as a response to reductions in federal food assistance, while Republican lawmakers have criticized the state’s approach to addressing changes in SNAP eligibility and funding.
Illinois Democrats Promote FRESH Program Providing $400 Food Assistance Payments
