Chicago Food Pantries Brace for Surge in Demand as New SNAP Work Requirements Take Effect

Pantries expect to see more visitors as food stamp recipients work to meet new 80-hour monthly requirement.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Food pantries in Chicago are preparing for an influx of visitors as new work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) go into effect on February 1. Under the new rules, SNAP recipients between the ages of 18 and 64 must work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 80 hours per month to maintain their food stamp benefits. Some recipients have already told pantry staff they plan to forgo benefits rather than try to meet the new requirements.

Why it matters

The new SNAP work requirements could leave thousands of low-income Chicagoans without access to food assistance, forcing them to rely more heavily on local food pantries that are already stretched thin. This policy change comes as the city continues to grapple with high rates of food insecurity and poverty.

The details

Starting February 1, SNAP recipients between 18 and 64 years old must work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 80 hours per month to keep their food stamp benefits. Certain groups, such as those who are pregnant or have a child 14 or younger, are exempt from the new requirements. Some SNAP recipients have already told pantry staff they plan to forgo benefits rather than try to meet the new rules.

  • The new SNAP work requirements go into effect on February 1, 2026.

The players

Common Pantry

A food pantry located in Chicago's North Center neighborhood that serves around 300 families per week.

Edward Lara

A SNAP recipient who volunteers at Common Pantry to meet the new work requirements.

Abby Greaney

The social services program manager at Common Pantry.

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What they’re saying

“It's very rewarding to help out a human being.”

— Edward Lara, SNAP Recipient (CBS News)

“I spoke with a woman just last week who decided it was better to just cancel her benefits, because of the fear she had of not being able to meet those work requirements.”

— Abby Greaney, Social Services Program Manager, Common Pantry (CBS News)

What’s next

Food stamp recipients can visit the website saveoursnap.org to see if they are exempt from the new SNAP work requirements.

The takeaway

The new SNAP work requirements could have a significant impact on low-income Chicagoans, forcing many to forgo critical food assistance and rely more heavily on already strained local food pantries. This policy change highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing food insecurity in the city.