Starting on May 1, 2026, thousands of older adults in Chicago risk losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to new federal work requirements. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, adults aged 55 to 64 are now required to work, volunteer, or participate in a job training program for at least 80 hours every month. Those who cannot prove they meet this threshold will be limited to only three months of food assistance within a three-year period. Since the new rules began being tracked in February, many Chicagoans who have not met the requirements or secured an exemption will reach their three-month limit by the May 1 deadline.
Understanding the New 80-Hour Rule
The biggest change involves who the government considers an “able-bodied adult without dependents.” Previously, these work rules only applied to people up to age 54. Now, the age limit has jumped to 64. This means a 60-year-old resident who was once exempt must now find 20 hours of work or volunteering each week to keep their Link card active.
This shift is particularly difficult for those living in neighborhoods where jobs are hard to find. For many older adults, finding a new job at 60 is a significant challenge, especially if they have minor health issues that do not officially count as a disability. If a person misses the 80-hour mark, they enter a “grace period.” After using three months of benefits without meeting the work requirement, their support stops entirely for the rest of the three-year cycle.
Chicago Experts Sound the Alarm
Local leaders are concerned that the sudden change will leave many people hungry. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) have been working to reach out to those at risk.
Dulce Quintero, the Secretary of IDHS, shared that the state is working hard to identify who might qualify for an exemption before the cutoff.
“We’ve been able to get about 100,000 already exemptions, so we have about 200,000-plus more to go,” Quintero said during a recent update.
Camerin Mattson, a spokesperson for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, emphasized that SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger.
“The Food Depository is in close communication with our network of partner food pantries and programs throughout Cook County,” Mattson stated. “We will do everything in our power to make sure food is available for anyone who visits a local pantry.”
The Impact on Local Neighborhoods
In Chicago, the pressure is felt most in areas where employment opportunities are scarce. According to local data, around 360,000 people across Illinois are at risk of losing their benefits. In Cook County alone, thousands of older residents are now navigating a complex system to prove they are working or volunteering.
The rules have also changed for families. Previously, having a child under 18 at home made a parent exempt. Now, that child must be under 14. This change pushes parents with teenagers back into the work-requirement category, adding more stress to households already struggling with rising food costs.
| Group Affected | Old Rule (Pre-2026) | New Rule (2026) |
| Age Limit | Up to 54 years old | Up to 64 years old |
| Dependent Child Age | Under 18 years old | Under 14 years old |
| Monthly Hours Needed | 80 hours (for some) | 80 hours (for almost all 18-64) |
| Homeless/Veterans | Often Exempt | Must Meet Work Rules |
How to Protect Your Benefits
Advocates suggest that anyone between 55 and 64 should act immediately. The first step is to check for an exemption. You might be exempt if you have a physical or mental health condition that limits your ability to work, even if you are not receiving disability payments. You just need a doctor to sign a specific form.
If you cannot find a traditional job, volunteering counts. Many local food pantries and nonprofits in Chicago are looking for volunteers, and these hours can be used to meet the 80-hour requirement. A simple letter from the organization where you volunteer is usually enough proof for the state.
Preparing for May 1
As the deadline approaches, local food banks are preparing for a “crisis level” of demand. When federal benefits are cut, people turn to local pantries to fill the gap. Organizations like the GCFD have launched websites like saveoursnap.org to help people take a quiz and see if they are at risk.
For many older Chicagoans, the next few weeks will be a race to secure documentation. Without it, the grocery budget for thousands of households could vanish overnight.
