A Peoria supportive living facility's federal lawsuit over SNAP benefits is driving most of the state's congressional delegation to ask for the funding's release. The Grand Regency of Peoria claims the USDA is holding up SNAP benefit distribution to supportive living facilities authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill and the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Peoria SLF took ownership of the facility on Aug. 1. About 8,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities receive meals through SNAP benefits pooled by SLFs.The USDA says it will hold new SLF applications for SNAP benefits until a study of authorized establishments is completed. The agency said in an e-mail to Peoria SLF that it will deliver a report within 18 months with a recommendation on whether SLFs should be able to continue to receive SNAP benefits. The local attorneys for the Grand Regency referred comment to a Washington D.C law office. That attorney didn't return our call for comment. The USDA declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
The delegation asking for action includes U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, as well as Central Illinois representatives Darin LaHood, Cheri Bustos and Adam Kinzinger.
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