Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services Snap topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Officials say many SNAP recipients will retain exemptions; township readies support and partner reporting
Summary
DeKalb Township officials said an IDHS presentation showed many SNAP recipients (including households with minor children) will qualify for exemptions to new work requirements; township will assist residents with exemption applications and monitor local food-provider demand.
A trustee asked how many township clients might be affected by newly announced SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) work requirements and whether the township was prepared for a possible influx of need.
Supervisor Hess said an Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) representative had recently presented on the new SNAP requirements and that “there are a lot of exemptions that people can apply for so that they're exempt from those new requirements.” She said, specifically, that households with minor children would be exempt and that other exemptions exist; the township plans to assist residents with the documentation required to apply for exemptions if necessary.
Hess noted the DHS office had not yet coordinated community placement services for work requirements but that township staff were planning further meetings to discuss how the township’s workforce program could assist. The township will continue to leverage partnerships — including reports and referrals through the Kishwaukee United Way’s 211 system and connections to Illinois WorkNet and Kishwaukee College’s WIOA resources — to help residents seeking employment or training.
Supervisor Hess also reported concern for refugee and migrant households: she said township staff learned from a local migrant-aid group that some residents are fearful of going to food pantries because of possible immigration-enforcement encounters; as a result, the group has arranged delivery services to ensure those households receive food.
The board discussed monitoring utilization at the local food providers (the Salvation Army, Park Food Mart and Rooted for Good) and said it may consider a midyear human-services allocation to support those providers if demand rises.
Next steps: Township staff will continue meetings with IDHS and local partners to clarify placement and exemption processes and will watch provider utilization statistics returned through 211 and partner reports to evaluate whether additional funding support is necessary.
