Ohioans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, might get an additional boost this month. The state has been approved for the Emergency Allotment (EA) program, providing extra food assistance to SNAP recipients during emergencies. The EA program allows states to provide SNAP households with the maximum monthly benefit amount for their household size, regardless of their income or other circumstances. The additional benefits are expected to be loaded onto recipients’ EBT cards by the end of the month. The EA program is a temporary measure to help families cope with the ongoing economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stimulus Payments and Food Stamps: Understanding the Connection
With the economic challenges brought by the ongoing pandemic, many families have been struggling to make ends meet. In response, the U.S. government has implemented various measures to provide financial assistance, including stimulus payments and expanded food stamp benefits.
Stimulus Payments:
- What are Stimulus Payments? Stimulus payments are one-time cash payments issued by the government to eligible individuals to help them cope with the financial impact of the pandemic.
- Who Qualifies for Stimulus Payments? Eligibility is typically based on income, with individuals and families within certain income brackets qualifying for the payments.
- How are Stimulus Payments Distributed? Stimulus payments are typically deposited directly into bank accounts or mailed as checks to those who do not have direct deposit set up.
Food Stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP):
- What are Food Stamps? Food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits, are a form of government assistance that provides financial support for low-income individuals and families to purchase food items.
- Who Qualifies for Food Stamps? Eligibility for Food Stamps is based on income and household size, with specific guidelines set by each state.
- How are Food Stamps Distributed? Food Stamps are typically distributed on a monthly basis through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase eligible food items at participating retailers.
Impact of Stimulus Payments on Food Stamps:
The receipt of stimulus payments can affect Food Stamp benefits in certain situations:
| Scenario | Impact on Food Stamps |
|---|---|
| Stimulus Payment Received Before Food Stamp Issuance | Stimulus payment may count as income and potentially reduce Food Stamp benefits for that month. |
| Stimulus Payment Received After Food Stamp Issuance | Stimulus payment is typically not counted as income and does not affect Food Stamp benefits for that month. |
It’s important to note that specific rules regarding the impact of stimulus payments on Food Stamps may vary from state to state. Always consult with your local government agency or Food Stamp office for accurate information.
Temporary Increase in SNAP Benefits
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has been providing temporary increases to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. These increases have been in effect since March 2020 and have helped millions of households put food on the table during these challenging times.
- What is SNAP? SNAP is a federally funded program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. Benefits are distributed through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
- How much are the temporary increases? The temporary increases vary by household size and income, but most households have seen an increase of at least $95 per month.
- When did the temporary increases start? The temporary increases began in March 2020 and have been extended several times since then. The most recent extension will keep the increases in place through September 2023.
- Who is eligible for the temporary increases? All SNAP households are eligible for the temporary increases, regardless of whether they are receiving the maximum benefit amount.
- How do I get the temporary increases? You do not need to do anything to receive the temporary increases. They will be automatically applied to your EBT card each month.
| Household Size | Previous Maximum Benefit | New Maximum Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $281 | $386 |
| 2 | $516 | $714 |
| 3 | $789 | $1,094 |
| 4 | $1,093 | $1,536 |
| 5 | $1,398 | $1,978 |
The temporary increases in SNAP benefits have been a lifeline for many Ohioans during the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases have helped families put food on the table and keep their pantries stocked.
P-EBT Card Distribution
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has begun distributing Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) cards to families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. The cards are loaded with benefits to help families purchase food while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility
- Children who are enrolled in a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) at a school that is closed due to COVID-19 are eligible for P-EBT benefits.
- Children who are enrolled in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school are also eligible for P-EBT benefits.
- Children who are attending a virtual school that is not providing meals are also eligible for P-EBT benefits.
Benefit Amounts
- Children who are eligible for free school meals will receive $285 per month per child.
- Children who are eligible for reduced-price school meals will receive $143 per month per child.
- Benefits will be loaded onto a P-EBT card that can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
P-EBT Timeline
| Month | Distribution Date |
|---|---|
| February 2021 | March 12, 2021 |
| March 2021 | April 9, 2021 |
| April 2021 | May 14, 2021 |
| May 2021 | June 11, 2021 |
How to Use Your P-EBT Card
- P-EBT cards can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers that accept EBT cards.
- To find a list of authorized retailers, visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website.
- When you use your P-EBT card at the store,swipe your card and enter your PIN.
- The amount of your purchase will be deducted from your P-EBT balance.
Contact Information
For more information about P-EBT, please visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website or call the P-EBT hotline at 1-866-640-0484.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Update
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has announced that there will be no additional food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) benefits in Ohio this month. The extra benefits, referred to as “emergency allotments,” which have been provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, ended with the February 2023 issuance. As a result, SNAP recipients will receive their regular monthly benefit amount for March 2023.
ODJFS officials emphasized that this change is unrelated to the individual circumstances of recipients and is solely due to the end of federal funding for the emergency allotments. The agency acknowledged the potential impact on Ohioans who have relied on the extra benefits during the pandemic and encouraged those in need of assistance to explore other resources, such as food banks, pantries, and community organizations.
Additional Information
- To find local food resources, visit the ODJFS Food Assistance webpage.
- The Ohio Association of Foodbanks offers a Find Food tool to locate food pantries near you.
- For information on other programs and services available to Ohioans, visit the ODJFS website at odjfs.ohio.gov.
SNAP Benefit Issuance Schedule for March 2023
The regular issuance schedule for SNAP benefits in Ohio for March 2023 is as follows:
Date Benefit Issuance March 1 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with A-C March 2 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with D-F March 3 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with G-J March 6 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with K-M March 7 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with N-Q March 8 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with R-S March 9 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with T-V March 10 Benefits issued to recipients with last names starting with W-Z Hey folks, thanks for taking the time to read up on the extra food stamps situation in Ohio. I know it’s a confusing topic, but I hope I was able to clear things up a bit. If you have any more questions, feel free to drop me a line. In the meantime, keep an eye out for updates on the program. There might be more news coming soon, so be sure to check back later. Until then, take care and happy eating!