Skip to Main Content
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) update and community resources for food and nutrition

Date: 11/06/25

Amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced delays and reductions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning in November. Approximately half of Illinoisians covered by Medicaid also receive benefits through SNAP.

Reliable access to healthy, nutritious food is a well-established social determinant of health. Below, find community resources to support families experiencing food insecurity.

  • SNAP Federal Impact Center | Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
    IDHS has published a website to share updates about the administration of SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown. The website also includes informational fliers in eight languages about changes to SNAP enacted in the federal budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1.

  • Find Food Illinois
    Search the Find Food IL Community Food Map by city or zip code to locate places offering free food or meals.

  • Feeding Illinois
    Search for food assistance programs operated in partnership with Feeding Illinois whose purpose is to support policies that reduce hunger and that educate about the critical role food banks play in ending hunger.

  • Illinois food banks
    Share food banks that serve all 102 Illinois counties in collaboration with hundreds of partner agencies and community pantries:

    • Central Illinois Foodbank
      Counties served: Adams, Bond Brown, Cass Christian, Effingham, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby

    • Eastern Illinois Foodbank
      Counties served: Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Jasper, Livingston, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, Vermilion, Woodford

    • Greater Chicago Food Depository
      County served: Cook

    • Northern Illinois Foodbank
      Counties served: Boone, Dekalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, Winnebago

    • River Bend Foodbank
      Counties served: Bureau, Carroll, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Warren, Whiteside

    • St. Louis Area Foodbank
      Counties served: Calhoun, Clinton, Franklin, Jackson, jersey, Madison, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington, Williamson

    • Tri-State Foodbank
      Counties served: Alexander, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, and White

Resources from Meridian

  • Eat Well, Be Well
    Meridian’s Eat Well, Be Well program features nutrition tips and recipes for wellness that make it easier to eat healthily on a budget. Our member resources include information on applying for SNAP benefits, obtaining WIC food assistance, and accessing school-based meals.

  • MeridianConnect FindHelp
    Find financial and housing assistance, food pantries, care, and other free or low-cost help.

  • Community Events and Member Events
    Check our calendars for upcoming events, such as Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and “Meridian at the Supermarket” events. All members of the community can receive free nutrition education, and eligible Meridian members may be able to obtain vouchers to use at the grocery store or farmer’s market.