COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has announced a plan to begin distributing partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits this week, potentially starting as early as Wednesday, Nov. 12. This decision follows new federal instructions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, or FNS, which supervises the federal food assistance program.

The latest FNS guidance, updated after federal court action over the weekend, instructs ODJFS to reduce the maximum possible benefit each household can receive in November by 35%. The state must then recalculate each household’s payment based on this reduced maximum amount.

This shift means almost all recipients will receive less than 65% of their typical monthly benefit. Some recipients whose income levels place them close to the program's eligibility limit may not receive any payment this week under the revised calculation. ODJFS says it will issue an official notice to each household explaining their specific benefit change.

Before the recent federal government shutdown, approximately 1.4 million Ohioans received about $264 million in food benefits each month. Payments are staggered through the 20th of the month.

All eligible recipients who have not yet received their November benefits, as well as individuals approved for benefits in October but not paid, will start receiving their partial November payment this week.

Those whose normal payment date has not yet passed will receive their reduced benefit on their typical schedule. Recipients can access their funds using their Ohio Direction (EBT) card and are encouraged to check their balances online or through the Connect EBT app.

The partial federal payment creates uncertainty about existing state relief funds. Last week, Gov. Mike DeWine ordered ODJFS to distribute $7 million to eight regional food banks to help with food insecurity.

He also ordered the distribution of up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 low-income Ohioans, which includes more than 57,000 children. This aid provides an additional weekly benefit to participants in the Ohio Works First program, totaling one-quarter of their monthly OWF allotment per week while full SNAP benefits were unavailable. Last week, ODJFS distributed $3.7 million as part of this effort.

The state is continuing a week-by-week evaluation to decide whether this enhanced assistance will be continued, given the new partial federal SNAP issuance.

The decision to issue only partial benefits reverses earlier action. The USDA's guidance came after a federal court order that had temporarily required the full release of funds was blocked by a U.S. Supreme Court administrative stay.

This legal back-and-forth ended a brief period of anticipation last week when ODJFS had indicated it was likely to issue full November SNAP benefits. The subsequent FNS guidance mandates the partial payment schedule.

After the federal government shutdown ends, FNS will need to issue additional guidance to determine how to handle the difference between the full amount a recipient would ordinarily receive and the reduced amount being issued this week. The latest information on the effect of the federal shutdown on ODJFS programs can be found on the agency's website.