Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who received the early issuance of their February benefits on January 16, 2019 DO NOT have to spend/use the benefits by January 20, 2019. These benefits will still be available on their Ohio Direction Card in February 2019. There is no change to the spending/usage requirements. Recipients who received this early issuance will not receive additional SNAP benefits in February, even if the federal government shutdown is resolved.
Furloughed federal workers are eligible for SNAP and Ohio Works First (OWF) benefits as they currently have no income and have no reasonable expectation of when they could expect to be paid again. This is true even if the federal worker is called into work and is working without pay. Applicants still have to meet all other eligibility criteria.
Once the federal government shutdown ends, workers who received SNAP or OWF benefits must report their income change. For OWF, there is a requirement to report a change of income within ten days of when the change occurs; for SNAP, the individual is required to report once they are in receipt of income greater than 130% of the federal poverty level.
Federal furloughed workers and others in need of assistance are encouraged to apply by January 30 if possible. Applicants can call Summit County Department of Job and Family Services at 1-844-640-6446 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to be interviewed same day for SNAP, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and Medicaid eligibility. If a client has applied for SNAP in January and missed their initial appointment, they should call 1-844-640-6446 by the 30th if possible.
Summit County residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or visit www.211summit.org if they are or become food insecure.
