Over Half of Ohio Families Eligible for SNAP Receive Only Partial Benefits
The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services reported significant developments regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Ohio. As of Wednesday, over half of the families eligible for SNAP are receiving only partial benefits. These households can expect the remainder of their benefits to arrive soon.
Impact of Partial Benefits on Ohio Families
This news comes particularly as a relief to many families struggling with financial hardships. One couple from Delaware, DeShauna and Jordan Pugh, recently faced job losses and sought SNAP assistance just before a government shutdown. DeShauna expressed the couple’s desperation, stating that losing both incomes left them in a frightening situation.
Community Support in Times of Need
With four children to feed, the Pugh family enrolled in SNAP only to find themselves facing a government shutdown shortly after. In a bid to make ends meet, they turned to food banks, which unfortunately lacked the specific soy-based formula required for their nine-month-old son, Houston. Thankfully, their local community rallied around them when DeShauna shared their story on Facebook, prompting friends and even strangers to assist with delivering the necessary formula.
Current SNAP Benefits Status
As of now, DeShauna confirmed that around half of their typical benefits have been loaded onto their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. However, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services highlighted that families are receiving less than 65 percent of what they would usually obtain through SNAP. This translates to over 364,000 households currently receiving partial benefits, with the total disbursement exceeding $66 million.
- 364,000: Households receiving partial SNAP benefits
- $66 million: Total benefits disbursed
- 65%: Average percentage of usual benefits received
As uncertainty looms, the Pugh family, like many others, wonders about the future. DeShauna articulated their concern, stating, “We definitely have to make this stretch.” This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by many Ohio families reliant on SNAP during these turbulent times.
