SNAP program changes designed to help Ohioans take on more work and not immediately lose benefits

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — Ohio is makings changes to its SNAP program that it says will make it easier to transition off the food assistance program.

On Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced the change to its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The new rule creates a sliding scale to ease recipients off of benefits.

Director Matt Damschroder said it will encourage people to seek better earning opportunities by slowly reducing benefits as their income grows.

“Fear of losing food benefits can be a deterrent to taking a new job, working more hours, or even accepting a promotion,” Damschroder said. “This provides an incentive to accept promotions and pay raises knowing they won’t immediately lose benefits.”

SNAP is available to Ohioans getting paid at 130% of the federal poverty level, or $1,580 in gross monthly income for a single person. Typically, a person who starts earning more than that would lose benefits. But now, those recipients can take a new job, work more hours or accept a promotion without fear of immediately losing their food assistance, with monthly SNAP benefits gradually decreasing as a person’s income approaches 200% of the federal poverty level.

This change addresses what is known as the benefits cliff. According to ODJFS, employers have identified this as a barrier to expanding their workforce because it causes people to decline additional work hours, pay increases and promotions that would disqualify them from programs like SNAP. These raises can sometimes lead to a net loss in actual income once a recipient is removed from their public assistance.

SNAP is designed to help eligible Ohioans stretch their food budgets and buy healthy food. Based on several factors, including income and household size, the program gives recipients money to go toward their groceries every month. As of Tuesday, the maximum SNAP benefits were changed to:

• One-person household: $292
• Two-person household: $536
• Three-person household: $768
• Four-person household: $975
• Five-person household: $1,158
• Six-person household: $1,390
• Seven-person household: $1,536
• Eight-person household: $1,756

SNAP recipients between the ages of 18 and 59 have to meet certain work requirements to qualify for the program. Those include registering for work, taking a suitable job if offered, not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing work hours below 30 a week, or participating in employment and training programs. Able-bodied adults without dependents have additional requirements, like working or participating in a work program for at least 80 hours a month.

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