Some Lake County residents, including those in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, have already lost their food assistance under new federal rules. The county is directing them to check whether they qualify for an exemption or can regain eligibility.

Lake County posted a public alert warning that some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients lost benefits after failing to meet new federal work requirements. The notice tells affected residents how to file for an exemption or get back on the rolls.

The changes trace back to a federal law that tightened SNAP rules nationwide. Illinois had long held a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that exempted the entire state from SNAP work requirements, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). That waiver expired Jan. 31, 2026, and the work requirement took effect Feb. 1, 2026.

Under the new rules, able-bodied adults without dependents ages 18 to 64 who do not qualify for an exemption must work, volunteer or participate in training for at least 80 hours per month. Those who do not meet the requirement are limited to three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period. IDHS states that benefits began stopping May 1, 2026, for those not in compliance.

The federal law also raised the upper age limit for the work requirement from 54 to 64 and narrowed the caregiver exemption to adults responsible for children younger than 14, rather than 18, Patch reported.

Statewide, Illinois SNAP enrollment fell 22.4% between January 2025 and July 2026, according to a Civic Federation issue brief authored by Paula R. Worthington. Enrollment among adults ages 18 to 64 dropped 24.8% from October 2025 through June 2026. The brief noted that adults ages 55 to 64, newly subject to the requirement, "may find it especially difficult to find employment."

Lake County-specific enrollment figures were not available.

Who is exempt

IDHS lists several categories of residents who do not have to meet the work requirement. They include people age 65 and older, those who are pregnant, people experiencing chronic homelessness, and those with a physical or mental condition that limits their ability to work. Adults living with a child age 13 or younger are also exempt.

Residents do not need a doctor's sign-off to request a medical exemption, according to IDHS. If the Social Security Administration has already determined a person is disabled, IDHS can confirm that through its system automatically.

How to act

Residents who believe they qualify for an exemption can file online at the state's ABE website, call ABE Customer Service at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-866-324-5553), or visit a local Family Community Resource Center.

Those who do not qualify for an exemption can regain eligibility by meeting the work requirement for a 30-day period. Qualifying activities include paid or unpaid work, volunteering with a community-based organization such as a food bank or church, or enrolling in an approved training or education program.

Residents who have already exhausted their three months of benefits and have not regained eligibility may receive a one-time $400 cash payment per qualifying household member through the state's FRESH Program (Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger). No application is required. The payment is deposited automatically on the recipient's Illinois Link Card.

Anyone who does not regain eligibility or obtain an exemption before Dec. 31, 2026, will need to wait until Jan. 1, 2027, when a new three-year eligibility period begins.