SNAP Benefits to Be Reduced to Pre-Pandemic Levels on March 1

Food pantries are working hard to feed the hungry as a key pandemic assistance from the federal government.

Man-Ye Lee, spokeswoman for the Greater Chicago Food Depository said that in March Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program card holders from Illinois will experience a reduction of $55 – $250 per person.

Greater Chicago Food Depository is an organization that provides food to over 700 food pantries in the area. Currently, SNAP benefits are available to two million households in Illinois.

After the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government increased the bonus money to SNAP cards. These are taxpayer-funded cash cards that allow people with certain income levels to purchase groceries. The federal government will restore pre-pandemic subsidies in March.

“Many people may not be following what Congress is doing and they may not know that these changes are happening,” Lee shared his thoughts with The Center Square. “At a time when food prices remain high, we are really worried that this reduction in benefits will take people by surprise.”

Lee stated that one in five households in the area struggles to provide food for their families.

“The hunger crisis preceded the pandemic,” Lee stated. “Inflation has only made it worse.”

Lee stated that the exact amount of the March benefit reduction each household will receive will depend on household size and income. The smallest reduction will be felt by those with low to no income. Lee stated that the average monthly reduction for a single recipient is $86 per month.

Greater Chicago Food Depository encourages individuals to review their accounts at the Application for benefits Eligible website. Follow the links at “a href=”https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/get-help/benefits-outreach/snap/emergency-allotments/”>chicagosfoodbank.org/snapea For more information, please visit

A household that has experienced changes in its circumstances may be eligible to receive increased benefits. You may be eligible for additional benefits if you have more household members, increased housing costs, and medical or child care expenses.

Lee explained that inflation has led to more people going to food pantries or meal programs this winter. The food depository has been purchasing more food in order to meet increased demand for months.

Lee explained that although some food can be supplied by generous private sector donors, the majority of food is purchased directly from the food depository.

“People do not realize that the food depository continues to purchase much of the food that it distributes,” She said.

Lee stated that the depository has increased its spending on food it supplies to its food bank partners by more than twofold in the past months.

“This is something that we have been addressing for quite a while now and we are very concerned,” She said. “A recent consumer price index showed that prices are stabilizing – except food prices.”

Lee stated that the depository has succeeded in keeping local food pantry shelves stocked but it was not easy. She expects that SNAP payments will be reduced in March and that people will turn to food pantries for food.