Changes to food stamp benefits could impact Cook County families

Cook County staff and elected officials expressed concern about a federal proposal that could impact the number of people who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Federal officials during the summer proposed closing what they call “a loophole” that they feel gives people access to what were formerly called food stamps. The loophole, federal officials say, provides access to SNAP benefits to people who don’t truly need it.

Meanwhile, national, state and local officials are claiming otherwise. Cook County Public Health and Human Services Director Alison McIntyre says an estimated 45 people could be directly impacted by the proposed change and that staff hours allocated to determining SNAP benefits could increase for staff in the human services department.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners expressed concern over the situation during a Sept. 17 meeting of the local PHHS board. A letter signed on behalf of the county board as a whole was sent to both federal and state officials expressing their concerns both locally and beyond.

There is no timetable for if or when the proposed changes would impact SNAP benefits. A public comment period on the changes to SNAP ended Sept. 23.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with McIntyre for an update on this situation.