June 2026
June 2026
SNAPPED: How Federal Changes to SNAP Benefits will Impact Black Families
Desha Holden-Nelson, MPH
John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow
Recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, are expected to significantly reduce food assistance for millions of families across the United States. Beginning in 2027, the bill will shift a greater share of SNAP administrative and benefit costs to states, expand work requirements for parents, and restrict eligibility pathways tied to utility assistance programs.1 These changes are projected to cut $187 billion from SNAP through 2034 and place many households at risk of losing some or all their benefits.2
These policy shifts come at a time when food insecurity remains a persistent and unequal challenge. Food insecurity, defined as limited or inconsistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life, affects 18.4% of U.S. households with children.3 Black families are more than twice as likely to experience food insecurity compared to white, non-Hispanic households.4 In 2023, 22.4% of Black, non-Hispanic households were food insecure.3 Low-income households, single-female-led households, and households in large urban areas face particularly high rates of need.5,6,7
Food insecurity is not only an immediate hardship but a long-term driver of health and economic inequities. Children experiencing food insecurity are more likely to face developmental delays, chronic health conditions such as asthma, and challenges with concentration and academic performance.8 These early disadvantages can persist into adulthood, increasing the risk of chronic disease, limiting educational attainment, and reducing economic mobility.5
As SNAP serves as the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, supporting millions of working families and households with children, changes to its structure and funding have far-reaching implications. For Black families, who are already disproportionately affected by food insecurity due to structural inequities, these policy changes risk deepening existing disparities in health, income, and opportunity.
Impacts of Food Insecurity Across the Lifespan
School (Childhood)
Low grade point average
School and Employment (Adulthood)
Limited advanced education, low paying jobs
Mental Health (Childhood)
Depressive symptoms, struggles with concentration
Mental Health (Adulthood)
Depression, anxiety
Physical Health (Adulthood) Heart disease, obesity, diabetes
Physical Health (Childhood)
Decreased body & brain development, asthma
SNAP and H.R. 1: Program Overview and Policy Changes
SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, providing critical support to low-income households to help afford food. Currently, 12% of U.S. households rely on SNAP, with 62% of participants living in families with children and more than one-third in working households.9 However, benefits remain modest—averaging $6.33 per person per day— while the cost of food for a family of four exceeds $1,000 per month.10 Even so, SNAP plays a significant role in reducing poverty, lifting 17% of participating households above the poverty line in 2023.11
Recent changes under H.R. 1 will significantly alter how SNAP operates and is funded. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, the federal share of SNAP administrative costs will decrease from 50% to 25%, shifting the majority of costs to states.1
Under H.R. 1, payment error rates will be used to determine how much states are required to pay for SNAP benefits. Payment error rates are calculations of individual states’ underpayments and overpayment of benefits based on administrative errors and benefit application inaccuracies. States with a payment error rate of 6% or greater are required to contribute between 5% and 15% to total SNAP benefits costs.2,12 In 2023, just one state had a payment error rate below six percent.12 These changes will strain state budgets, reduce program capacity, and likely cause service delays as states increase staff and invest in technology upgrades to manage increased administrative responsibilities.12
By January 1, 2027, states must expand work requirements for SNAP participation to include parents with children aged 14 and older, while limiting waivers for those in areas with limited employment opportunities.1 These changes are expected to reduce SNAP spending by approximately $69 billion through 2034 and jeopardize benefits for one in eight beneficiaries.1
In addition, H.R. 1 modifies how household expenses are calculated when determining eligibility. Changes to the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) will make it harder for many families to qualify for higher benefit levels, particularly those whose utility costs are included in rent or not billed directly in their name.13 These changes are projected to reduce benefits by $5.9 billion over the next ten years, including an average monthly loss of $100 for more than 500,000 low-income households with children.1 The law also removes internet costs from allowable deductions, ending a Biden-era policy and resulting in smaller benefit amounts for millions of households.14
These policy changes are expected to have cascading effects beyond SNAP itself. Reductions in SNAP participation will also limit access to related programs, including free school meals and summer food assistance, with an estimated 96,000 children at risk of losing eligibility.1
STATE RESPONSES
States are likely to respond to the federal cuts and new requirements in one of three ways.
• Meet the requirements by reallocating designated funds or raising taxes. This option could compromise access to other family health services or state fiscal safety nets, including general funds.
• Further restrict program eligibility for low-income households receiving SNAP to afford the state’s share of federal benefits and remain in the program. This could include increasing red tape for applications, such as enforcing more restrictive work requirements or requiring people to travel in person for benefits. This places a greater burden on working families and individuals with disabilities.
• Opt out of SNAP altogether, as states are not federally mandated to participate in SNAP. In this case, states could invest funding allocated to SNAP in food banks and other local resources or leave families trapped in their food insecurity with no support.
As states prepare for federal changes under H.R. 1, assessing staffing levels and internal procedures used to determine SNAP eligibility and benefit amounts are immediate priorities. Some states, like California, have begun introducing legislation to fund system upgrades, expand quality control capacity, and improve verification and reporting practices.15 Other states, like New Jersey, are focusing on adopting procedures to enhance documentation standards, data-sharing practices, recertification timelines, and compliance pathways to the new work requirements.15 Since SNAP payment error rates will now affect states’ costs, states like Maine are focusing on improving payment accuracy by adding reporting requirements and directives to create plans to reduce incorrect eligibility and benefits determinations.15 An alternative approach to addressing SNAP affordability under the new federal structure is expanding equitable tax policy by increasing state taxes for wealthy residents and corporations. Massachusetts and New Mexico are among the states that have successfully increased taxes for their highest earners to fund children and families’ programs and universal free breakfast and lunch for students.16
California Introduced Legislation
AB 146 (2025)
To make investments in SNAP systems and infrastructure
New Jersey Introduced Legislation
AB 6115/SB 4971 (2026)
To improve eligibility procedures and verification
Maine Introduced Legislation HB 1437 (2026)
To strengthen payment accuracy
Massachusetts Passed Legislation Fair Share Amendment (2022)
4% tax on annual incomes above $1 million to fund public education and transportation
New Mexico
Passed Legislation
HB 6 (2019)
Increased individual income tax from 4.9% to 6.5% for annual incomes over $200,000 to fund free universal childcare
Economic Impacts of SNAP Cuts
SNAP is not only a critical anti-hunger program but also a major driver of economic activity, particularly in the food and retail sectors. Nationally, every $1 invested in SNAP generates $1.50 in economic activity, and, on average, SNAP households spend over $500 more on food annually than non-SNAP households.17,18 In 2022, SNAP benefits accounted for roughly 12% of food and beverage sales and 24% of packaged goods sales.19 This economic activity is heavily concentrated in the grocery sector, where major retailers—including Walmart, Kroger and Albertsons—redeem roughly 80% of all SNAP benefits.19 SNAP-related sales and administration generated over $110 million in state and local tax revenues and over $122 million in federal tax revenue in 2022.20 Independent grocery stores also play a significant role, contributing over $353 billion in sales and 1.14 million jobs.21 They also generate over $27 billion in federal, state, and local annual tax revenue. 21 However, independent grocery stores are projected to lose $87.5 billion over the next decade, with an average of 6-9% reductions in annual sales due to the federally mandated SNAP cuts.22 As SNAP benefits are reduced, these economic losses are expected to contribute to store closures, reduced food access, and other negative impacts on both SNAP and non-SNAP households.
The DOMINO Effect
Increased grocery store closures and food deserts, most likely to impact underserved and rural communities
Reduced SNAP benefits and program eligibility
Reduced corporate and independent grocery store revenue
Increased unemployment, poverty and food insecurity in vulnerable communities
Decreased employment demand across the food manufacturing and retail industry
Spotlight on Illinois
FOOD INSECURITY AND SNAP IN ILLINOIS
Illinois ranks twentieth out of fifty states in food security with more than thirteen percent of households experiencing food insecurity.8 The state receives $4.7 billion in SNAP funding to support the 15% of households receiving benefits.10 Across the state, more than 60% of SNAP households are families with children, and over one third are working families.10 Under H.R. 1, the number of Illinois families required to fulfill SNAP’s newly expanded work requirements is expected to double, increasing the risk of benefit losses for many households.
In 2025, a living wage for a family of four with two working adults and two children ranged between $80,000 and $285,000 across the country.24 As of February 2026, a living wage for a four-person household within Illinois was $122,000 annual income.25 For the same household, the annual cost of food was $13,151.26 By comparison, Illinois’ minimum wage is $15 per hour/$31,200 annually, while tipped workers earn $9 per hour/$18,720 per year.26 Four-person household SNAP recipients in Illinois typically earn between $16,500 and $33,000 per year.10
Illinois residents making minimum wage earn one-quarter of the actual living wage for a family of four. The cost of food for a household of four is nearly half of what minimum wage earners yield before taxes and deductions. Minimum wage and tipped employees in single parent households with three or more people are most likely to meet the income eligibility thresholds for SNAP.
Cook County, which makes up nearly 41% of the Illinois population, illustrates the scale of food insecurity across the state.27 In 2023, 14% of Cook County residents—roughly 724,000 people—experienced food insecurity; the County budget needed an addition $553,893,000 not available in the budget to fully fund food security.10 In Chicago, approximately 22% of households—roughly 600,000 people—rely on SNAP benefits, and 45% of those households include children.28 These figures underscore the significant and growing need for investment in food security at the local level.
IMPACTS OF HR 1 ON ILLINOIS STATE BUDGET
As the federal government reduces its share of SNAP’s administrative costs from 50% to 25%, Illinois will be required to assume a significantly larger financial burden—an increase of approximately $80 million annually.29 The new administrative costs will fund the increase in staff and upgraded technology necessary to manage SNAP programming and meet federal mandates, such as the expanded work requirements.
Beginning October 1, 2027, states will face further financial obligations related to their payment error rate.1 Per the Illinois Governor’s Office of Budget and Management, if Illinois reaches the 15% penalty bracket, the state’s cost share could climb to $705 million annually.29
Taken together, the decrease in federal contributions and increased state cost-sharing requirements will place significant pressure on Illinois’ general funds, which support a wide range of state-funded services and programs. As federal support declines, the long-term sustainability of these programs—and of the state’s ability to meet growing needs— remains uncertain.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SNAP CUTS IN ILLINOIS
Every $1 invested in SNAP in Illinois yields $1.54 in economic activity, resulting in a $7.2 billion economic impact to the state’s economy.28 Across Illinois, SNAP drives $1.3 billion in economic output and sustains more than 18,000 jobs across grocery and other retail industries.17 The broader agri-food sector in Illinois—including farming, food manufacturing, and retail—supports over 900,000 jobs, representing nearly 15% of all Illinois employment. 30 As SNAP benefits decline, and demand from grocery stores decreases across the state, employment across the agri-food industry will be negatively impacted.
ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE
Illinois legislators have introduced legislation to build support for families impacted by federal changes to SNAP. State Representative Dagmara Avelar introduced the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Act to provide one-time cash payments to households whose SNAP benefits are reduced or terminated because a member of the household did not meet federally mandated work requirements. Under this act, families whose benefits are reduced would receive a lump sum of three times the difference between their former SNAP benefits and the reduced benefits amount. Families whose benefits are terminated would receive a lump sum of three times their final SNAP benefit.31
State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. introduced the SNAP Response Working Group Act to analyze the effects of federal changes on Illinois residents, track program error rates, and develop policy recommendations to support food insecure and vulnerable populations across the state.32 As of May 2026, both bills are moving through the legislative process.
Local Food Access Resources
Illinois Statewide
• Feeding Illinois: (630) 768-8068
Cook County
• Greater Chicago Food Dispensary: (773) 247-3663
• Share Food Share Love: (630) 347-5390
• Westchester Food Pantry: (708) 927-4826
Chicago Citywide
• Beyond Hunger: (708) 386-1324
North Side Chicago
• A Just Harvest: (773) 262-2297
• The Friendship Center: (773) 907-6388
• Common Pantry: (773) 327-0553
• Nourishing Hope: (773) 525-1777
• Irving Park Community Food Pantry (Northwest): (773) 283-6296
• New Hope Community Food Pantry (Northwest): (773) 775-1215
West Side Chicago
• TaskForce Prevention and Community Service: (773) 473-4100
• Pilsen Food Pantry : (773) 812-3150
• Westside Health Authority: (773) 378-1878
• Breakthrough Fresh Market: (872) 444-8260
• St. Cyprian’s Food Pantry: (773) 387-4918
South Side Chicago
• Brace Space Alliance: (872) 333-5199
• Redeeming Grace Church Food Pantry: (773) 995-7721
• The Hyde Park Kenwood Food Pantry: (773) 939-3445
1. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. By the Numbers: Harmful Republican Megabill Takes Food Assistance Away From Millions of People | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/by-the-numbers-harmful-republican-megabill-takes-food-assistance-away-from
2. Rosenbaum D, Lloberera J, Nchako C, Nunez L. SNAP Tracker: People Are Losing Food Assistance as the Republican Megabill Is Implemented | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/snap-trackerpeople-are-losing-food-assistance-as-the-republican-megabill
3. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics | Economic Research Service [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 May 11]. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics
4. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Food Security in the U.S. - Measurement | Economic Research Service [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 May 11]. Available from: https:// www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/measurement
5. Casey EG, Winsler A. Impacts of Food Insecurity on Child Development: Strengthening the Role of Childcare. Nutrients. 2025 Aug 1;17(15):2427. doi:10.3390/NU17152427 PubMed PMID: 40806012.
6. Lloberera, Josep, Nunez, Luis. Nearly 2 Million Young Children in the U.S. Lived in Food-Insecure Households in 2023 | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 11]. Available from: https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/nearly-2-million-young-childrenin-the-us-lived-in-food-insecure
7. Hales L. Food Security in the U.S. - Interactive Charts and Highlights | Economic Research Service [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/interactive-charts-and-highlights
8. Loofbourrow BM, Scherr RE. Food Insecurity in Higher Education: A Contemporary Review of Impacts and Explorations of Solutions. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 May 1;20(10):5884. doi:10.3390/IJERPH20105884 PubMed PMID: 37239614.
9. Nchako C. A Closer Look at Who Benefits from SNAP: State-by-State Fact Sheets | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.cbpp.org/ research/a-closer-look-at-who-benefits-from-snap-state-by-state-fact-sheets#Illinois
10. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. USDA Food Plans: Monthly Cost of Food Reports | Food and Nutrition Service [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https:// www.fns.usda.gov/research/cnpp/usda-food-plans/cost-food-monthly-reports
11. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Characteristics of SNAP Households: Fiscal Year 2023 | Food and Nutrition Service [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/snap/characteristics-fy23
12. Bergh K. Senate Republican Leaders’ Proposal Risks Deep Cuts to Food Assistance, Some States Ending SNAP Entirely | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/senate-republican-leaders-proposal-risks-deep-cuts-to-food-assistance-some
13. FOOD RESEARCH & ACTION CENTER. The Far-Reaching Harmful Impacts of the Reconciliation Bill The Far-Reaching Harmful Impacts of the Reconciliation Bill-on Families, Older Adults, Immigrants, and State Budgets. 2025 Jul.
14. Berkowitz SA, Seligman HK, Rigdon J. Heat & Eat Households: Highest SUA Based on LIHEAP Households no Longer Able to Claim Highest SUA Due to H.R. 1 Percent of SNAP Households Impacted. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;11(177):1642–9. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.4841
15. FOOD RESEARCH & ACTION CENTER. HR-1-SNAP-Elimination-Internet-Deduction [Internet]. 2026 Apr [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/HR-1-SNAPElimination-Internet-Deduction.pdf
16. Kallins L, Thompson A. How States Are Responding to New SNAP Requirements [Internet]. National Conference of State Legislatures. 2026 [cited 2026 May 26]. Available from: https://www.ncsl.org/
state-legislatures-news/details/how-states-are-responding-to-new-snap-requirements
17. Plata-Nino G, Wallin A, Huskey J, Lanier L. ing State Economic Stability and Strength After OBBBA/H.R. 1 SNAP Cuts [Internet]. Food Research & Action Center. Food Research & Action Center; 2026 Jan. Available from: https://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/State-Economic-Stability-After-HR1-SNAP-Cuts.pdf
18. State of Illinois. Fiscal-Year-2027-Operating-Budget [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://budget.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/budget/documents/budget-book/ fy2027-budget/Fiscal-Year-2027-Operating-Budget.pdf
19. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. SNAP households spent about $544 more on food at home than non-SNAP households in the lowest income quartile in 2022 | Economic Research Service [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/ data-products/charts-of-note/chart-detail?chartId=112671
20. Redman R. Supermarket News [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2026 May 13]. SNAP plays outsized role in grocery industry. Available from: https://www.supermarketnews.com/foodservice-retail/snapplays-outsized-role-in-grocery-industry
21. National Grocers Association. Illinois SNAP Economic Impact [Internet]. National Grocers Association. Available from: https://grocers.guerrillaeconomics.net/reports/1cbb29cf-1b0f-40c4-8e4c8b4f1add52b4
22. National Grocers Association. NGA: Independent Grocers Generate $557.5B in Activity [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://theshelbyreport.com/2026/05/11/nga-report-independent-grocers-generate-557-5-billion-in-annual-economic-activity/
23. Douglas Moran, Catherine. How SNAP changes could impact grocers | Grocery Dive [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.grocerydive.com/news/snap-policy-grocery-state-waivers/753346/
24. Commonwealth Fund. How Medicaid, SNAP Cutbacks Would Trigger Job Losses Across States | Commonwealth Fund [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/jun/how-medicaid-snap-cutbacks-one-big-beautiful-billtrigger-job-losses-states
25. Allcot D. GOBankingRates [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 May 13]. The Living Wage a Family of Four Needs in All 50 States. Available from: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/living-wage-family-fourneeds-133117329.html
26. Glasmeire A, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Accessibility. Living Wage Calculator - Living Wage Calculation for Illinois [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://livingwage. mit.edu/states/17
27. Illinois Department of Labor. Minimum Wage Law - Fair Labor Standards Division [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://labor.illinois.gov/laws-rules/fls/minimum-wage-law.html
28. U.S. Department of Commerce. US Census [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 May 13]. How many people live in Cook County, IL? | USAFacts. Available from: https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-live-in-the-us/county/cook-county-il/
29. City of Chicago. Important Updates to SNAP Benefits [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/protecting-chicago/home/snap.html
30. State of Illinois Executive Office of the Governor. UPDATE TO THE OCTOBER 2025 ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICY REPORT: FEDERAL UPDATES ESTIMATED IMPACT OF H.R. 1 AND OTHER POTENTIAL FEDERAL CHANGES [Internet]. 2026 Feb. Available from: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/ story/attorney-general-raoul-files-lawsuit-to-stop-trump-administration-from-illegally-withholding-billions-in-essential-childcare-funding-for-families1.8.26
31. Illinois Agri-Food Alliance. Workforce - Illinois Agri-Food Alliance [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://ilagrifood.org/workforce/
32. System LI. Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly [Internet]. Available from: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?GAID=18&DocNum=3276&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=0&SessionID=114
33. System LI. Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly [Internet]. Available from: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ BillStatus?GAID=18&DocNum=3276&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=0&SessionID=114