By Niya K. Kelly, Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation
In 2019, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless worked alongside Heartland Alliance and Shriver Center on Poverty Law to expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This legislation allows people who are elderly, disabled, or experiencing homelessness to purchase prepared meals with their SNAP benefits at restaurants or supermarkets with hot bars. This change helps individuals who do not have access to a kitchen or are unable to use their kitchen safely.
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is piloting the program in targeted zip codes before expanding it to the rest of the state.
Continue reading Restaurant Meals Program pilot seeks participating restaurants