Reps. Blasdel, McNally provide guidance on SNAP benefits for East Palestine residents
COLUMBUS — State Representatives Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana County) and Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) Friday issued the following statements and guidance from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) for residents in East Palestine who utilize Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and received direct financial assistance payments from Norfolk Southern following the train derailment on Feb. 3, 2023.
“We are here to support the people of East Palestine in all aspects of their return to normalcy,” said Blasdel. “Following a stressful and complicated few months, they should feel secure in all SNAP benefits they rightfully qualify for. Any financial assistance received from Norfolk Southern is simply a correction of the financial distress they have experienced to their homes, health and work following the derailment. This should not affect their ability to make use of SNAP benefits.”
“When the federal government ended emergency SNAP allotments after February, and we started to hear from people in the district that their benefits were being impacted, I wanted to be crystal clear that this had nothing to do with the much deserved support people received from Norfolk Southern,” said McNally. “I’m relieved that both the federal and state governments could work together in the best interest of some of our most needy Ohioans after this horrible, unplanned disruption in their lives. They certainly don’t need any more challenges.”
Following word from residents and media outlets in Columbiana County of a potential impact to food stamps and other benefits, McNally requested a meeting with ODJFS for clarity on benefit determination and administration. In response, ODJFS personnel indicated they had worked with the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service on guidance and provided it to Columbiana County JFS (around April 6). The guidance stated that payments from Norfolk Southern could be broken down into four pots and treated by Columbiana County JFS as follows:
1. $1,000 inconvenience fee per person, not tied to receipts (close in time to derailment, so they may no longer be available). This will be treated as a one-time lump sum payment, and thus excluded from counting as income. Contact the Columbiana County JFS for any errors.
2. $1,000 relocation fee without receipts, with the possibility of additional reimbursement beyond $1000 if receipts are provided. Reimbursement beyond $1,000 is dollar for dollar. This will not be treated as a reimbursement for normal living expenses, but specifically provided for costs that would not have been incurred if the disaster had not occurred, and thus excluded as income. Contact the Columbiana County JFS for any errors.
3. Dollar for dollar reimbursement for food, hotels, clothing, laundry, pet care, etc. This will not be treated as a reimbursement for normal living expenses, but specifically provided for costs that would not have been incurred if the disaster had not occurred, and thus excluded as income. Contact the Columbiana County JFS for any errors.
4. Lost wage assistance based on a letter from the individual’s employer demonstrating need. This is countable, however, ODJFS will update cases to remove the wages from the lost employment, resulting in no net gain in income or impact on benefits. Contact the state ODJFS, or state Representatives, for any errors.
“I appreciate the collaboration of all parties to make sure the residents of Columbiana County are not penalized for payments related to the derailment,” said Blasdel. “As we continue to navigate these difficult times, we appreciate the opportunity to receive impactful guidance and hope that it can help those in East Palestine remain confident in their SNAP benefits.”
“Like we’ve said from the beginning, this is a process and we are here to support the people of East Palestine for the long haul. My office is here to help, even if after receiving this information, residents are confused or need answers,” said McNally.
This advocacy work builds on the representatives’ ongoing efforts to support residents in Columbiana County following the Norfolk Southern train derailment. In March, Blasdel and McNally passed House Resolution 33 (HR 33), a resolution urging Congress to approve legislation requiring railroads to inform state and local governments when they run hazardous materials through their jurisdictions. They are continuing the exploration of additional legislation, resulting from feedback and concerns shared with their respective offices, with the hopes of introduction after thorough research and vetting.