Illinois retailers prepare for possible SNAP disruption Nov. 1

The suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to the federal government shutdown could impact nearly 1.9 million Illinois residents, according to a community announcement.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) is working to ensure consumers are prepared for the planned suspension, which is set to begin at midnight on Nov. 1. The suspension was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. It means that SNAP recipients will not receive new deposits unless Congress reaches an agreement to end the shutdown. However, recipients will still be able to use any remaining benefits from October.

The Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program will not be affected, and recipients can continue to redeem their benefits as usual.

Retailers are expecting confusion at check-out counters and are coordinating closely with Gov. JB Pritzker’s office, the Illinois Department of Human Services and organizations like the Greater Chicago Food Depository to share important information and updates, according to the announcement.

IRMA has compiled resources for SNAP recipients and retailers, including how to locate local meal programs and food distribution centers, on its website.

This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.