CLEVELAND — Ohio has received a federal waiver that will automatically replace SNAP benefits to some recipients following the mass, multi-day power outages in northeast Ohio earlier this month as a result of severe weather.

What You Need To Know

  • Some SNAP recipients in northeast Ohio, in areas impacted by the mass outages earlier this month, will have a portion of their benefits automatically replaced

  • This is thanks to a federal waiver obtained by the state

  • Recipients in Geauga and Lake counties, as well as 52 ZIP codes in Cuyahoga County, should see the reimbursement hit their accounts by Aug. 30

  • The federal waiver allowing for this automatic partial replacement comes specifically from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service

The news was announced by Matt Damschroder, the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), in a press release. Those who receive SNAP benefits in Geauga and Lake counties and 52-specific ZIP codes in Cuyahoga County will “automatically receive a portion of their monthly benefits by August 30.”

“Governor Mike DeWine directed all state agencies to find ways to help individuals impacted by the recent widespread power outages in northeast Ohio,” Damschroder said in the release. “ODJFS secured a federal waiver that will get replacement benefits in the hands of SNAP recipients more quickly by providing blanket approval across Geauga, Lake, and parts of Cuyahoga County. Those not eligible for blanket approval will still have until September 5, 2024, to apply for replacement benefits thanks to the extension we announced last week.”

The following Cuyahoga County ZIP codes are covered by this blanket approval:

44101, 44102, 44103, 44104, 44105, 44106, 44107, 44108, 44109, 44110, 44111, 44112, 44113, 44114, 44115, 44116, 44117, 44118, 44119, 44120, 44121, 44122, 44123, 44124, 44125, 44126, 44127, 44128, 44129, 44130, 44131, 44132, 44133, 44134, 44135, 44136, 44137, 44138, 44139, 44140, 44141, 44142, 44143, 44144, 44145, 44146, 44147, 44181, 44188, 44190, 44070, 44022

The federal waiver allowing for this automatic partial replacement comes specifically from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

“The federal government set the amount of replacement benefits a SNAP recipient is eligible for based on two factors: the fact that only perishable foods, not shelf-stable foods, would be impacted by a power loss, and when they received their last monthly benefit payment,” the release reads.

It works like this:

Recipients who receive the automatic reimbursement will the funds hit their SNAP accounts by Aug. 30, according to ODJFS, and need not take any additional action to receive their benefits.

For those not covered under the blanket reimbursement, you have until Sept. 5, 2024, to submit the proper form to your County Department of Job and Family Services. You should also be ready to show proof that you were a part of the extended power outage.

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