Ohio Likely to Issue Full November SNAP Benefits to Ohioans by Next Week Following New USDA Guidance
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has received updated federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regarding November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The guidance states that FNS is working towards implementing November 2025 full SNAP benefit issuances and that it intends to make funds available for states to begin processing later today. FNS had earlier ordered states to delay then reduce the amount of SNAP benefits for November due to the federal government shutdown.
Once ODJFS receives notice that it can proceed, it will begin the process to provide full benefits and expects recipients to begin receiving those by the week of Nov. 10. Processing requires ODJFS to authorize the payments and provide its Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendor with the file used to load benefits onto recipients Ohio Direction (EBT) card.
Distribution of those benefits is typically staggered through the 20th of each month. Early next week, all recipients who’ve not yet received their November payment, as well as individuals who were approved, but not paid for benefits in October, would begin receiving their full November payments. Those whose normal issuance date has not yet passed would receive their payment as normally scheduled.
Approximately 1.4 million Ohioans receive about $264 million in food benefits from SNAP each month.
Last week, Governor Mike DeWine ordered ODJFS to distribute $7 million to eight regional foodbanks. Foodbanks have received that money and will be allowed to keep that.
He also ordered ODJFS to distribute up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 Ohioans – including more than 57,000 children – who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level. This week, ODJFS distributed the first of the weekly payments, $3.7 million, to those individuals. In the event there is distribution of full SNAP benefits, the additional emergency relief benefits will cease.
The latest information on the impact of the federal government shutdown on ODJFS programs can be found at jfs.ohio.gov.
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