COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced today that the agency has received and is reviewing new federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service regarding partial November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The guidance reduced maximum benefit allotments by 50% and instructs states to recalculate the monthly benefit amount for each household using the updated framework. ODJFS is working with its vendors to determine updated benefit amounts for current SNAP recipients and when benefits will be available. Once that review is complete, ODJFS will notify SNAP recipients regarding when they will receive their partial November benefits and the recalculated amount under the new federal guidance.
Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits were paused on Nov. 1. 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 20th of each month. Recipients receive benefits through the Ohio Direction, or EBT, card.
The latest information on the impact of the federal government shutdown on ODJFS programs can be found at jfs.ohio.gov.