As of November 1, Ohio could lose its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which are also known as food stamps, if the federal government stays closed. This is a big problem for the state. About 1.4 million people in Ohio rely on SNAP for monthly food assistance. Therefore, the possible suspension is a big worry for families across the state who are already struggling.
SNAP helps low-income families buy groceries with EBT cards. It is in danger because the government is shut down and there isn’t enough federal money to keep it going. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said that it won’t be able to make SNAP payments in November without new funding. This will directly affect millions of people who rely on this safety net for basic nutrition.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has promised $25 million in state funds to help food assistance programs as a temporary fix. However, advocates say this may not fully meet the needs of all affected residents. As they get ready to help people who are losing their SNAP benefits, local food banks and charities are getting ready for more people to need their help.
Experts on food security say that Congress needs to quickly end the shutdown and restore SNAP funding. This will help to stop widespread hunger and food insecurity. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Ohio are looking into passing emergency legislation. This legislation would use the state’s rainy-day fund to make up for shortfalls in federal SNAP and related programs.
The suspension of SNAP benefits could make life even harder for Ohio’s most vulnerable groups, especially children, seniors, and immigrants. This is due to rising food prices and inflation. Officials are urging residents who are eligible to keep applying for or renewing SNAP. This will ensure they keep getting help when federal funding starts up again.
As the deadline nears, Ohio’s community support networks are still a key way for people to get through the possible loss of federal nutrition assistance.
