Ligas Family Advocate Program

11/13/2025

SNAP UPDATE - 11.13.25

IDHS is restoring full USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits now that the federal government shutdown has ended.

IDHS anticipates that the remaining benefit payments will be made over the coming days, with all SNAP recipients receiving their full November benefits by Nov. 20.

The lapse in SNAP funding created unnecessary hardship for 1.9 million Illinoisans and businesses who rely on this federally funded program. The crisis was entirely avoidable – the Trump Administration had the funding to fully support SNAP but chose not to, putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of hunger.
SNAP information and food resources are available here: snapfederalimpact.illinois.gov

11/12/2025

The Arc of Illinois on the Road! 🌟
Our Senior Family Advocate, Ruth Aguilar, is out this evening in Skokie fulfilling The Arc of Illinois’ mission to share resources and information with families across the state.

Ruth will be hosting a resource table and serving as the guest speaker at the BEST (Business and Education for Students in Transition) Resource Fair — an event designed to support students with special needs and their families.

📅 Wednesday, November 12th, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Niles North High School
9800 Lawler Ave, Skokie, IL

If you’re in the area, stop by to connect and learn more about the services and supports The Arc of Illinois provides!
Learn more about us: https://www.thearcofil.org/

11/12/2025

Calling ALL Families, Self-Advocates and Professionals. If you are near the South Suburbs, I would love to see you this Saturday to have your voices heard. It is an in person event. Please register so we can make sure to be able to accommodate everyone. All are welcome!!!!

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 - 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘!
Full The Arc of Illinois Update here: https://qr.link/lu7ROF
🗓 Saturday, November 15, 2025
🕦 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 South Holland Public Library
✨ RSVP today by clicking this link: https://qr.link/j0ct2T — we hope to see you there!

Hosted by Shirley Perez, Family Advocate Program Director and Family Support Network Director at The Arc of Illinois.
Come share your voice and connect with others in your community! 💬

We want to hear your ideas, experiences, and feedback.

11/06/2025

IDHS
Illinois Department of Human Services
JB Pritzker, Governor · Dulce M. Quintero, Secretary

SNAP UPDATE - 11.6.25

This month, the Trump Administration has decided to provide significantly reduced November SNAP benefits. Illinois SNAP customers will begin receiving partial November benefits Nov. 7 through Nov. 20. Those who are regularly scheduled to receive benefits Nov.1 through Nov. 6 will receive partial benefits over the next six days, with Nov. 1 benefits loading on Nov. 7, Nov. 2 benefits loading on Nov. 8, etc. Customers who ordinarily would receive their SNAP benefits on Nov. 7 or later will receive a partial benefit on their regular date. Due to the USDA changing their guidance on partial benefits late on Nov. 5, some customers may receive an additional partial benefit payment after their first, scheduled dates. NOTE: For some customers, the federal administration's requirements will leave them with no benefit for November.

SNAP is 100% federally funded, and the Trump Administration delaying, reducing, or entirely eliminating payments affects all 1.9 million recipients in Illinois. The State does not have the budgetary ability to replace these vital resources. Benefits left on cards from previous months can still be used.

We understand that the uncertainty around SNAP benefits is deeply concerning for families across Illinois. IDHS is committed to keeping families informed and supported as this situation continues to evolve in the courts and at the federal level.
IDHS: SNAP Federal Impact Center

This month, the Trump Administration has decided to provide significantly reduced November benefits. SNAP customers will, at most, receive 50% of their normal benefit. In many cases, the federal government will be paying far less than 50% of the normal benefit to customers and many customers who rel...

11/04/2025

"Sharing Information State-wide for times such as this!"🥰🥰

Greetings from Piatt County! The Arc of Illinois is proud to participate in Monticello School District's first ever Family Resource Night. Annie Bruno, Central & Southern Family Advocate, is here sharing information and resources with families - come say hi!

The Arc of Illinois is committed to equipping families and professionals with the vital information they need to adequately navigate disability service systems. Cheers to a successful evening!

11/04/2025

FEDERAL SNAP UPDATE

Updated 11/04/2025:
Please see the following important update on the federal government shutdown, including its impact on SNAP, and the continued operation of other Illinois assistance programs.
This summary reflects the most recent information provided as of November 04, 2025:

The Presidential Administration previously announced suspension of SNAP (food stamp) funding nationwide beginning November 1, 2025. On October 31, 2025, federal judgement required payment for these benefits. The court order allows for half of SNAP funding in the month of November be paid to states.

Due to the large impact, this decision affecting 42 million Americans, including 1.9 million Illinois residents (more than 11,000 of which reside in Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA)), the calculation of benefit is very complicated and could be delayed in issuance. Existing SNAP benefits already loaded on EBT cards remain able to be used until further notice.

All other state-administered programs, including Child Care Assistance Payments (CCAP), Women Infant and Children (WIC), Medicaid, Early Intervention, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), remain funded and will continue normal operations through November 2025. IDHS offices and providers will stay open, and regular provider payments are expected to continue at this time.

Governor Pritzker has signed Executive Order 2025-08 to strengthen state-level food assistance efforts. Illinois residents are encouraged to support local food banks through Feeding Illinois. Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) has created an opportunity to assist community members through “Step up to Serve.” By signing up using the form below you will be added to a specific email group that ICDD staff will use to inform you as opportunities in your communities arise.

• Step Up to Serve: DD Community Food Access Volunteer Form
In summary: Only SNAP is affected at this time, while all other IDHS programs remain operational and funded. Benefits left on cards from previous months can still be used, but new benefits will be less than in prior months and will be delayed by the federal government. IDHS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions evolve.

Additional Resources:
• Individuals can find updates and food resource assistance through the SNAP Federal Impact Center.
• Governor Pritzker signed an executive order to administer funding through Feeding Illinois.
• Executive Order link: Executive Order 2025-08
• State Newsroom announcement: Gov. Pritzker Signs Executive Order to Bolster Food Assistance for Illinoisans
• Partners can access communication materials via the SNAP Partner Toolkit (PDF).
• Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) has created an opportunity for “doers, donors, and volunteers” to remain on standby and alert for notification of community need through the program “Step up to Serve.”
• Sign up for Step Up to Serve: DD Community Food Access Volunteer Form

Send a message to learn more

11/01/2025

SNAP Federal Impact Center - Latest Update 11.1.25

Federal courts ordered the federal administration to continue paying for SNAP (food stamps) during the government shutdown. IDHS and the State of Illinois are reviewing these orders. SNAP benefits remain on hold by the federal government for November until further notice or order by the courts. Even if the courts order payment, it is uncertain how long it will take for SNAP payments to be made.

Benefits from months prior to November can still be used.

IDHS will keep customers updated on this evolving situation.

Currently, the federal shutdown is not impacting CCAP, WIC, Medicaid, Early Intervention, and TANF through November 2025 for current IDHS customers. These regularly scheduled benefits will continue to be issued, and our offices will remain open and ready to assist you. IDHS is monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates.

Federal courts ordered the federal administration to continue paying for SNAP (food stamps) during the government shutdown. IDHS and the State of Illinois are reviewing these orders. SNAP benefits remain on hold by the federal government for November until further notice or order by the courts. Even...

10/25/2025

Greetings From Kankakee!

The Arc of Illinois is proud to participate in the “Navigating Together: Family Resource Fair,” an event dedicated to empowering families and caregivers through information, connection, and collaboration.
In alignment with our commitment to sharing resources statewide, Senior Family Advocate Ruth Aguilar is representing The Arc of Illinois at today’s event.

She is engaging with families and caregivers to provide information about available support and services for individuals living with developmental disabilities.

We invite attendees to visit The Arc of Illinois table to learn more about our programs and resources, and to join Ruth for her presentation, which will include essential information on service options and the PUNS process.

10/18/2025

“The Arc of Illinois Family Advocate Program sharing much needed information state-wide!”

Hello Beautiful People!

Greetings from Central & Southern Family Advocate, Annie Bruno, she is in Champaign, IL and all set up at the Disability Resource Expo. Swing by the booth and say hi! Annie is located on the JC Penney wing, booth number 20. She'll be there until 4pm today - venture out and learn more about how the Arc can support you!

10/16/2025

URGENT MESSAGE!

Trump’s Administration: SNAP Benefits Slated to be Cut Off on November 1
1.9 million Illinoisans will lose food assistance on November 1 if the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans do not reopen federal government ​ ​

October 16, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 16, 2025

CONTACT

DHS.Press@illinois.gov

CHICAGO—Federal officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have informed all states that it will not fund November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the federal government shutdown, now in its third week, continues. As a result, SNAP customers will not have access to any new food benefits starting on November 1, 2025, unless the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans re-open the government.

SNAP is a 100 percent federally funded benefit and the federal government withholding payments to the state would impact all 1.9 million recipients in Illinois. The state administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month, funding that feeds families in every corner of the State. If SNAP funds are not delivered by the federal government, the State of Illinois does not have the budgetary ability to backfill these critical resources.

SNAP, a vital lifeline to nutrition and essential part of the state’s social safety net, serves 1.9 million individuals in Illinois each month, including 1 million households. Of those SNAP serves:

37% SNAP households have older adults
45% SNAP households have children
44% SNAP households have a person with a disability
Illinois administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month, funding that feeds families in every corner of the State. The average monthly SNAP benefit is approximately $370. If Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration re-open the government and pass a budget bill that includes SNAP appropriations by November 1, the State of Illinois expects there would be continuity in coverage.

“SNAP is a proven, time-tested program, one that protects children and families from going hungry,” said Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary. “The federal government needs to ensure families receive their benefits on November 1, so their livelihoods are not disrupted.” ​

“The SNAP program is one of the most successful anti-hunger initiatives in history, ensuring recipients don’t have to choose between feeding their family or affording other household needs such as medicine or utilities,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “With grocers in many communities already struggling to keep their doors open, the elimination of this vital support puts entire communities at risk of losing access to fresh and healthy food. We urge the federal leaders to work collaboratively to ensure this assistance doesn’t lapse.”

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will keep customers informed on this evolving situation, including via: www.dhs.state.il.us, texting, and mailed notices.

10/10/2025

HAPPENING NOW!
Staying informed about issues that impact our lives.

Veronica Salazar, Arc of Illinois Family Advocate, is proud to attend the 2nd District Candidate Forum!
📅 Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Kennedy-King College – Washburne Building, Great Hall
6301 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60621

This is the first in a series of six candidate forums leading up to the 2026 Democratic Primary Elections.

Hear directly from Democratic candidates on the issues that matter most to Illinois families — healthcare, economic justice, education, immigration, the environment, and more.

🎟️ Free & Open to the Public
Co-hosted by The Arc of Illinois, Citizen Action/Illinois, and more than two dozen advocacy partners.

10/09/2025

DHS NOTICE REGARDING FEDERAL SHUTDOWN - October 9, 2025

The federal shutdown will not impact October benefits for current IDHS customers. This includes but is not limited to SNAP, CCAP, WIC, Medicaid, Early Intervention, and TANF cash benefit customers. Regularly scheduled benefits will continue to be issued, and our offices will remain open and ready to assist you. IDHS is monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates on our website.

The federal shutdown will not impact current IDHS providers during October 2025. DDD asks providers to continue to provide services and operate as usual. While we anticipate there may be some potential delays, due to federal employees being furloughed while the federal shutdown is pending, regularly scheduled payments will continue to be issued at this time. If you have specific questions about your grant funded program, please contact your grant manager.

Additional Resources:
• Illinois Immigration Information Hub - This a trusted, easy-to-use site, led by legal and immigration advocates, in partnership with IDHS and the City of Chicago, where you can find legal help, get support in a crisis, and learn your rights. Whether you're new to Illinois or just looking for answers, this site is here for you and your loved ones. Visit the Illinois Immigration Hub: IllinoisImmigrationInfo.org.
• SNAP Federal Impact Center - IDHS is deeply concerned by the recent passage of the Trump Administration's sweeping budget bill and its impact on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At this time, customers should continue applying and managing their cases as normal. For the most recent updates click here:https://www.dhs.state.il.us/?item=174038

Send a message to learn more