Updated: 14 Jul 2026
OBBBA’s impact on students, families, and teachers.
OBBBA reduced Medicaid and SNAP eligibility by removing coverage for certain legal immigrants (around 16,000 in Illinois alone), families with children over the age of 14, and parents who do not meet work requirements. Other impacts include increased administrative burdens and state cost sharing.
500k
Illinoisans who could lose Medicaid coverage
1.65M
Illinois residents enrolled in SNAP (April 2026)
286K
Fewer Illinoisans on SNAP (April 2025–2026)
1 in 4
Illinois residents on Medicaid
Impact
K-12 students who lose SNAP coverage are not enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Programs. Auto-enrollment for eligible students has been a vital lifeline for student health and readiness to learn. Additionally, due to reduced student SNAP enrollment, the number of schools who qualify and receive federal payments to provide free school meals to all their students under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) may decrease, placing pressure on districts to cover the gaps or diminish from CEP.
Medicaid disenrollment will begin in January 2027. Families may struggle to navigate and qualify for health care, leaving students vulnerable to losing coverage as well. Medicaid reimbursements are often used for crucial school-based health services such as behavioral health, care coordination, and enrollment services. As students lose access to Medicaid, schools’ ability to fund and provide access to important school-based health services will be impacted.
Higher education students who are enrolled less than half-time or are unable to meet new work requirements while studying, and some part-time early educators and early childhood assistant teachers may lose eligibility for SNAP and Medicaid.
Illinois Response:
- Under recently passed SB3277, the Illinois General Assembly created the Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger (FRESH) Program to provide a one-time lump sum payment to households who may have lost SNAP benefits due to federal changes.
- During the 104th General Assembly, Illinois legislators provided a 189%, or $17 million increase in the appropriated amount for Illinois’ Free Lunch and Breakfast Program, helping ensure that students continue to have access to nutritious meals.
Possible Federal Action:
- Advocates should continue relaying to their Congressional representatives the impacts of these cuts and changes and repercussions for families, students, and schools who rely on federal programming. In turn, members of Congress will hopefully use their platform to raise awareness about the ongoing impacts on their constituents.
- Congress may consider amending or rescinding OBBBA provisions to (1) reverse increased Medicaid and SNAP work and administrative requirements (demonstrated to reduce participation of eligible adults), (2) reduce SNAP cost share, and (3) roll back redetermination criteria.
Possible State Action:
- Advocates may consider providing public comment to relevant committees about the impact of Medicaid and SNAP changes and rollout procedures, such as the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Medicaid Advisory Committee.
- The Illinois General Assembly should continue to respond to federal changes and safeguard government assistance programs for Illinoisans.
Learn how federal changes are impacting Illinois school communities
How have you seen federal changes impact SNAP & Medicaid in your community?
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