305 ILCS 5/12-4.13f: Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program.

(a) As used in this Section:

"FRESH benefits" means one-time, lump sum payments authorized under this Section.

"SNAP benefits" means benefits provided under Chapter 51 of Title VII of the United States Code.

(b) Subject to available funding, the Department of Human Services shall establish a Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide FRESH benefits to individuals subject to termination of their SNAP benefits or a reduction in their household's monthly SNAP benefit allotment, if:

(1) the termination or reduction in SNAP benefits occurred as a result of the individual failing to meet SNAP work requirements; and

(2) the individual is not certified as eligible and enrolled in SNAP on the 16th day of the calendar month in which the termination or reduction of benefits, as set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection, took effect.

(c) Individuals eligible for FRESH benefits shall be provided a one-time, lump sum payment equal to $400. Multiple individuals within the same SNAP household can receive FRESH benefits as set forth in subsection (e).

(d)(1) The Department of Human Services shall issue FRESH benefits to eligible individuals automatically. The Department shall not require any application, action, or additional information from eligible individuals to receive FRESH benefits.

(2) If the reduction or termination of SNAP benefits, as set forth in subsection (b), occurred on or after May 1, 2026 but prior to August 1, 2026, the Department shall provide FRESH benefits no later than August 1, 2026.

(3) If the reduction or termination of SNAP benefits, as set forth in subsection (b), occurred on or after August 1, 2026, the Department shall immediately issue FRESH benefits on the 16th day of the calendar month in which the termination or reduction of benefits took effect, as set forth in subsection (b).

(e) Individuals eligible for FRESH benefits shall be limited to one issuance of FRESH benefits per individual subject to a reduction or termination of SNAP benefits as set forth in subsection (b). Multiple individuals within the same SNAP household can receive FRESH benefits.

(f) FRESH benefits under this Section shall be provided to eligible individuals in the form of cash benefits distributed via disbursement to an Electronic Benefit Transfer card.

(g) The Department shall publish monthly data on the number of individuals who have received FRESH benefits and the amount of FRESH benefits issued. The Department shall further provide this data as part of its annual report to the General Assembly. The report shall exclude any personally identifiable information.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, and to the maximum extent permitted by federal law, for purposes of determining eligibility and the amount of other assistance under this Code, the Department of Human Services and local governmental units administering assistance under this Code shall exclude from consideration any FRESH benefits provided under this Section.

(i) The provisions of this Section are inoperative on and after July 1, 2027.