West Suburban Pantry Seeks Solutions As SNAP Restrictions Take Effect

WOODRIDGE, IL —Thousands of DuPage County-area families could lose their SNAP benefits amid new restrictions set to take effect May 1, according West Suburban Community Pantry (WSCP).

In a statement shared by WSCP, CEO Maven Sipes said,

"We understand that about 13,000 families in our service area are at risk of losing benefits if they cannot meet work requirements or qualify for an exemption. If they lose the SNAP benefit they need to buy groceries, they’re going to have to rely on organizations like WSCP to fill the gap, but it’s a big gap."

SNAP beneficiaries who were formerly eligible for a work exemption must now meet the program's work requirements to receive benefits. Among these are "able-bodied adults without dependents" who include older adults up to age 65, veterans, adults who are unhoused or unhoused families with children 14 years old or older.

Other new non-exempt categories now include former foster youth who are younger than 24 years old and guardians, parents, caretakers and grandparents of children who are 14 or over.

The new work requirements also apply to "many immigrants with legal status, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and survivors of human trafficking," a news release from WSCP said.

Without an exemption applicants are required to work or provide volunteer services for at least 20 hours a week/80 hours a month. Failure to comply with this requirement means a recipients SNAP benefits could be reduced to three months of benefits within 36 months of time.

Sipes said WCSP and other nearby pantries will do what they can to assist residents, but they have been "feeling pretty maxed out" to date with an increase in visitors.

In addition to providing meals, WSCP is helping residents navigate how to seek an exemption. They're also working to connect impacted residents with work and volunteering opportunities.

"We can always use the help and we provide full orientation and training," Sipes said.