In Ohio, We Take Care of Ohio Rep. White Calls for Stronger Action as Limited SNAP Relief Leaves Thousands Behind
COLUMBUS —State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Township) today released the following statement after Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order directing the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) giving $7M though the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to various Ohio food banks and up to $18M in funds to Ohioans who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level who already qualify for Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance. While 63,000 of the 1.4 million Ohioans on SNAP may be provided some relief due to this effort, excluding 529,000 children who are currently on SNAP, the $18M in emergency funds does not go far enough to support those living just at the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four making roughly $17,000/year or more will not be eligible for this benefit. While a small step in the right direction, this insufficient allocation of funds is hardly enough to address the urgency of this crisis in the state.
“This isn’t about politics — it’s about people. In Ohio, we take care of Ohio. Working families, children, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and our seniors are losing a benefit, not an entitlement.
I appreciate that some relief was finally offered, but it’s not enough to cover all Ohioans who are being left hungry or anxious about how they’ll make ends meet. While Washington debates, Ohio has the power and responsibility to fully step up.
Our heroes who have served this country, the seniors who built it, and the children who will one day lead it are being told to call legislative offices in desperation while leaders point fingers. Ohioans shouldn’t have to plead for help to buy groceries or keep the heat on. Leadership means taking action before the pain sets in — because no matter what happens in Washington, we take care of our own here at home,” said Rep. White.
Due to federal shutdown and failure to allocate funds for SNAP, on November 1st hundreds of millions of dollars will not be allocated to the SNAP benefit cards that 1.4 million Ohioans depend upon.
House Democrats raised the urgent issue of the SNAP funding crisis on the House floor earlier this week via an amendment that would provide full relief for Ohioans under SNAP. House Republicans voted down the proposed amendment, stating that SNAP benefit funding is not an Ohio issue. Overall, the federal shutdown will cost Ohioans a benefit loss of roughly $200M per month, nearly eight times the amount of funding provided by the Governor’s executive order.
As House Democrats noted in their letter to the Governor earlier this week, the state of Ohio currently has resources available via several funds to immediately and fully address the issue. It is a question of will power, not ability, regarding whether the state ensure seniors, families and children have food on their tables come November.
Rep. White continues to advocate for expanded, state-level bridge assistance to ensure that every Ohio family, senior, and veteran can put food on the table through the winter months.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter signed Tuesday by all 34 members of the House Democratic Caucus is attached to this release.