SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) End Effective March 1, 2023

01/24/2023

Policy Memo

Obsolete policy memos, Enhanced Emergency SNAP Allotments Beginning April 1, 2021, dated 04/28/2021 and VTTC Food Assistance Eligibility for $95 Minimum Enhanced Emergency Allotment, dated 06/03/2021.

Summary

• This policy memorandum notifies Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments (EA) are ending in Illinois effective 03/01/2023. 
• The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 amends Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by ending the issuance of Emergency Allotments after February 2023.
• Beginning 03/01/2023, all active SNAP households and active Victims of Trafficking Torture and Serious Crimes (VTTC) will only receive their regular monthly benefit amount as determined under regular SNAP policy based on the eligibility factors of household size, income, and deductions.
• A client notice, SNAP Benefits Return to Normal Levels 03/2023 (CN 22.16/CN 22.16S), will be mailed to all active SNAP households around 01/23/2023 to serve as notification of the Emergency Allotments end date. FCRCs are not responsible for handing out the client notice.  If there is a change in the regular monthly benefit amount due to some other reason, Notice of Decision (Form IL444-0360C) will be systematically sent the household about that change.

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Illinois SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) Background

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Health Emergency (PHE), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) under guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) began issuing extra SNAP benefits (Emergency Allotments) to allow all active SNAP households to receive the maximum allowable benefit amount for the household size. The Emergency Allotments have continued throughout the PHE period to help with food insecurity. The Emergency Allotments have added a minimum of $95 to each household's monthly benefits.

Ending Emergency Allotments

The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023, signed into law on December 29, 2022, amends Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by ending the issuance of Emergency Allotments after February 2023. Effective March 1, 2023, all active SNAP households and active Victims of Trafficking Torture and Serious Crimes (VTTC) benefit amounts will return to normal based on the applicable household size, income, and deductions under regular SNAP rules.

Client Notice (CN 22.16)

A client notice, SNAP Benefits Return to Normal Levels 03/2023 (CN 22.16/CN 22.16S), will be mailed to all active SNAP households around 01/23/2023 with notification of the change and includes information to help with the transition back to their regular monthly benefit amount. FCRCs are not responsible for handing out the client notice.

Notice of Decision (Form IL444-0360C)

Customers will not receive a new Notice of Decision (Form IL444-0360C), unless there is a change in circumstances, such as income, household size, and deductions, that affects their regular monthly benefit amount under regular SNAP rules.

FCRC Action to Take:

• Customers may contact the Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) in response to getting the client notice and have additional questions about Emergency Allotments ending. When the Emergency Allotments stop, some customers will experience a significant change in the amount of benefits available to purchase food due their regular SNAP benefit amount returning to normal.
• Review the customer's case to determine if the only change in the monthly benefit amount is due to the Emergency Allotment not being received and explain that these benefits will no longer be issued. The last month of issuance is February 2023.
• Discuss with the customer any other possible change in circumstances that may qualify the household for additional benefits such as:
  • medical expenses for qualifying members;
  • Childcare expenses;
  • shelter costs and utility changes;
  • Court ordered child support.
• Also, provide customers with information on other resources in their local community that can help with their needs. 

Obsolete Policy Memos

The following previously published policy memos are now obsolete:

Obsolete Information Memos

The following previously published information memos are now obsolete:

[Signed copy on file]

Grace B Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms referenced:

CN 22.16/CN 22.16S

Form IL444-0360C