FAQ & Updates

UPDATE: In October, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified states that due to the ongoing government shutdown, it did have not sufficient funds to pay full SNAP benefits for the month of November. In response to a court order, USDA has agreed to pay up to 65% of what SNAP recipients would typically receive for the month of November. However, it will take time to process the changes.

Franklin County continues to advise SNAP recipients that they may not receive their benefits as normally scheduled in November, and they are not likely to receive their full amount of benefit s while the government shutdown continues.

UPDATE: Yes, Franklin County is still accepting and processing new applications for SNAP. However, residents who apply and/ or are approved for SNAP in November may experience delays before they can access their benefits and may only receive a partial amount while the government shutdown continues.

UPDATE: Yes, if someone still has a balance on their Ohio Direction EBT card from the previous month(s), they can spend those benefits after Nov. 1. However, they may not receive their November benefits on their typical upload date and may only receive partial benefits while the
government shutdown continues.

Yes, SNAP recipients who have work requirements should ensure they are continuing to meet their work, training or education obligations and report as necessary. SNAP recipients should continue to report changes to their case as the y normally would and provide everything
necessary to complete their renewal or interim report when it is scheduled to ensure they don’t experience any disruption when benefit full payments resume.

We have not received guidance from the federal government on whether SNAP recipients will receive any remaining November benefits or “back pay” if the government shutdown ends.

We have not been notified that any of Franklin County’s other core public assistance programs like Medicaid, Ohio Works First cash assistance or Publicly Funded Child Care will experience any disruptions due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

UPDATE: The state of Ohio announced on Oct. 30 that it will provide up to $25 million in support to help families impacted by the disruption in SNAP benefits. ODJFS has allocated $7 million to foodbanks throughout the state to increase emergency food resources available to SNAP recipients and other Ohioans experiencing food insecurity. That includes over $1.4 million for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC). Franklin County and the City of Columbus have approved an additional $1 million in local funds for MOFC.

The state also allocated up to $18 million to provide weekly stipends to individuals and families enrolled in the Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance program. The additional weekly stipend come out to approximately 25% of a recipient ’s typical monthly OWF cash assistance benefits and will be loaded directly to their Ohio EPPICards beginning Friday, Nov. 7. The weekly payments will last up to four weeks or until federal SNAP funding resumes. There are approximately 8,700 Franklin County residents who receive assistance through OWF.

Mid-Ohio Food Collective and their network of partners continue to serve residents and families facing food insecurity. You can find a list of pantries, free meal sites and other emergency food resources in your area by visiting freshtrak.com or mofc.org/get-help.

Franklin County residents 60 and older are eligible for meal delivery through the Franklin County Office on Aging. You may have a small co -pay for meal delivery depending on your monthly income.  To enroll in Senior Options, visit franklincountyohio.gov/Resident -Services/Seniors/Senior-Meal-Deliveries or call 614 -525-6200 weekdays 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Franklin County is compiling a list of food resources and links for residents experiencing food insecurity available at FranklinCountyOhio.gov/FindFood. The Web page include the links above, resources from the City of Columbus and other partners.

Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Visit JFS.FranklinCountyOhio.gov or follow Franklin County JFS on social media to stay connected.

● Facebook.com/FranklinCountyJFS
● Instagram.com/FranklinCountyJFS
● Twitter: @FranklinCoJFS

SNAP recipients can also create an account through the Ohio Benefits Self -Service Portal and sign up to receive automatic notifications, including emails, text message alerts and voice messages directly from the state when there are changes or updates with your SNAP case. Visit
SSP.Benefits.Ohio.gov to sign up.