Media Coverage
Opponents warn proposed SNAP changes would 'devastate' low-income Ohioans
A late addition to the Ohio Senate's budget proposal would place greater restrictions on the eligibility of SNAP benefits -- also known as food stamps -- for tens of thousands of Ohioans. The proposed provisions, which are similar to those included in a standalone Senate bill that died in committee earlier this year, have been met with fierce opposition from food banks, community advocacy organizations and churches.
Anti-hunger policies initiated under pandemic should be permanent
"This may be the first summer without child hunger in Ohio, but it’s only thanks to temporary assistance from Congress. We must enact permanent and long-term policies in order to keep disaster from striking those most vulnerable. Next year will be worse unless we use this time to examine the policies that work and make long-term change. The time is now to invest in the future of Ohio’s families."
Ohio National Guard to complete successful foodbank mission in July
"Quite frankly, we could not have delivered the tremendous response without their leadership and assistance. We will never forget this gift of service," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, Ohio Association of Foodbanks executive director.
Column: Thank the National Guard for helping hungry Ohioans during coronavirus pandemic
"One year ago, several hundred Ohio National Guard and Ohio Military Reserve members were deployed on a humanitarian mission at Ohio’s foodbanks. I can say, without hyperbole, that their arrival at foodbank warehouses, as the state implemented its stay-at-home order, was a lifesaving event."
Benefits rollback bill would cost nearly $20 million in red tape, legislative analysts say
On Tuesday, food bank operators, the counties’ Ohio Department of Job and Family Services association director, anti-poverty advocates and others urged lawmakers against cutting the social safety net during a still-raging pandemic that has destabilized the economy and increased unemployment rates. They said more paperwork requirements on top of an already cumbersome application process would cause needy families to slip through the cracks.
Fewer people will get food, Medicaid, unemployment under Ohio bill requiring more fraud checks, advocates say
Some of the most sweeping changes in SB 17 would be in SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SB 17 would require color photo identification of at least one adult in every household on Ohio Direction cards, the debit SNAP card. SNAP recipients would also be subject to more rigorous asset maximums. To continue to be eligible for SNAP, households would have to report changes in income within 10 days of learning of the changes, which is not currently required. Other changes in SB 17 would again force Ohio Medicaid to require many recipients of the joint state and federal health care program to work or go to school part-time.