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Following Latest Federal Guidance, Ohio to Begin Distribution of Partial November SNAP Benefits
Ohio SNAP recipients to begin receiving partial benefits mid-week

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced today that it is taking the necessary steps to distribute partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this week – as early as Wednesday – and continuing daily until complete. This comes after receiving new federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which oversees the federally funded program formerly known as food stamps.

The latest FNS guidance, which was updated following federal court action over the weekend, instructs ODJFS to reduce the maximum amount each household can receive in November by 35% and to recalculate each household’s payment based on that new maximum amount. The exact amount each household will receive is based on factors such as gross and net income and allowable deductions such as housing and medical costs. Under the revised federal calculations, nearly all recipients will receive less than 65% of their normal benefit. Some recipients, particularly those whose earnings place the household near the cutoff for eligibility, may receive no benefits this week under the revised calculation. An official notice explaining each household’s specific benefit change will be issued. After the federal government shutdown ends, additional FNS guidance will be needed to determine how to handle the difference between what would ordinarily be issued for the month and what is being issued this week.

Prior to the shutdown, approximately 1.4 million Ohioans received about $264 million in food benefits from SNAP each month. The distribution of those benefits was staggered through the 20^th of each month. All recipients who’ve not yet received their November benefit, as well as individuals who were approved for, but not paid benefits in October, will begin receiving their partial November benefit this week. Those whose normal issuance date has not yet passed will receive their reduced benefit as normally scheduled. Benefits are accessed through their Ohio Direction (EBT) card and recipients are encouraged to check their balances through their Connect EBT app, or Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal.

Last week, Governor Mike DeWine ordered ODJFS to distribute $7 million to eight regional foodbanks. 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 takes the form of an additional benefit to Ohio Works First (OWF) participants totaling one quarter of their monthly OWF allotment per week while SNAP benefits are unavailable. Last week, ODJFS distributed $3.7 million in emergency relief as part of this effort. ODJFS will continue to make a week-by-week evaluation of whether to continue this enhanced assistance.

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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The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services manages vital programs that strengthen Ohio families.
These include job training and employment services, unemployment insurance, cash and food assistance, adult protective services, and child support services.