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Ohio Taking Steps to Distribute Full November SNAP Benefits Next Week

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced today that the agency is working to complete the distribution of full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by mid-next week.

This comes after guidance provided yesterday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), directing ODJFS to ensure Ohio SNAP recipients receive their full November benefits now that the federal government shutdown has come to an end. Earlier this week, Ohio processed partial payments for eligible households under previous FNS guidance issued during the shutdown.

Ohio has begun the process of calculating the full benefit households should have received in November. It will then deduct the partial amount already paid. Over the weekend, ODJFS will begin testing to ensure the accuracy of payments. Once testing is successful, authorization for those amounts will be transmitted early next week to Ohio’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendor to issue to recipients through their Ohio Direction (EBT) card.

The total amount each household receives will be their full November benefit minus any partial payments already received. Because of the number of recipients receiving benefits, it could take a couple of days to process and disburse those benefits. Recipients will receive their benefits next week, regardless of their usual issuance date, which normally runs through the 20^th of each month.

Benefits are accessed through the recipient’s Ohio Direction (EBT) card and recipients are encouraged to check their balances through their Connect EBT app, or Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal.

ODJFS will provide an update on the progress of this effort on its website, jfs.ohio.gov, early next week.

The normal distribution of SNAP benefits is expected to resume in December.

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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.