Media Coverage

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Thursday he signed an executive order that he says will provide up to $25 million in food assistance as the continued federal government shutdown threatens to affect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.

The governor said the executive order will direct the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to give $7 million to various food banks across the state and up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits. The benefits would go to help more than 63,000 Ohioans, including more than 57,000 children, who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level.

Food banks statewide have been stressing that they're open during the shutdown, and have been ready to help federal workers who have stopped getting paychecks. But they're also preparing for more demand if the shutdown continues, and as they get ready for the holiday season and winter. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks said in a statement last week: “We are counting on our donors, supporters and communities to step up in any way they can as our network continues its response. This situation underscores the vital role of public-private partnerships in supporting working families."

The 1.4 million Ohioans in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will see their food benefits end if the federal shutdown drags on through November. People who work with those low-income Ohioans are growing concerned about the potential impact.

"We have been notified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services that SNAP benefits for food will no longer be loaded on cards starting Nov. 1," said Jon Honeck, executive director of the Ohio Association of Job and Family Services Directors, who run the local JFS offices in the state's 88 counties.

Almost 12% of Ohio's population receives SNAP benefits. In 2023, nearly one in five Ohio households with kids participated in SNAP, and almost 44% of households led by a single female parent. Honeck said Ohio is a staggered issue state, meaning different SNAP recipients get benefits at varying times throughout the month.

Ohio state Rep. Juanita Brent on Monday called on Gov. Mike DeWine to take action to ensure the state's food banks can continue to meet demand as a pause in federal SNAP money looms.

Brent (D-Cleveland) urged DeWine and the Ohio Controlling Board to shift emergency state funds to the organization that coordinates the state's 12 regional food banks.

Ohio food banks are preparing for increased demand as funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly referred to as food stamps, is expected to run out in November if the partial government shutdown continues.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Ohioans who depend on SNAP benefits could see a change to their benefits in November.

Around 1.4 million Ohioans and those looking to apply for new SNAP benefits won’t be receiving them if Congress doesn’t reach a deal in Washington DC by the Nov. 1 deadline.

In Clark County, roughly 23,600 residents — nearly one-fifth of the county — receive SNAP benefits.

Tom McGrath, director of the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services, released the following statement on SNAP benefits amid the shutdown:

The County understands that many SNAP recipients are concerned about future benefits being delayed or reduced because of the federal shutdown. The latest communication from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is that the federal shutdown may cause a delay in new issuances of SNAP benefits starting Saturday, November 1. We do not have information about how long the delay will last. We are waiting for additional updates from the state and federal government, and we will share more information on our website when it becomes available. JFS will continue to process new applications and client recertifications to ensure benefit accuracy when federal funding resumes. Additional assistance may be available at a local food bank.”

Tom McGrath