OHIO — Families caught in between earning more, but not enough to put food on the table without assistance can expect to get some relief. The Department of Job and Family Services made some recent changes to SNAP eligibility benefits.

What You Need To Know

  • As a person’s income moves closer to 200% of the federal poverty level, the amount of benefits for monthly food assistance decreases
  • Prior to Oct. 2024, SNAP was only available to those earning 130% of the federal poverty level
  • ODJFS and businesses agreed that there needed to be an off ramp from public assistance as opposed to a benefit cliff
  • In the short term, ODJFS expects there to be a small increase in those needing food assistance

“Up until the start of this month, those getting SNAP benefits struggled with what’s called the benefit cliff. Essentially, employers would see employees decline promotions or raises. Or, they’d experience situations where a person would work some overtime, maybe around the holidays. And because of that overtime, that would push them over 130% of federal poverty, no longer being eligible for SNAP benefits. So, earning more became a disincentive for people to work, which made it tough for employers and employees,” Matt Damschroder, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said.

After hearing from companies and employees, the ODJFS decided that it was necessary to make a change in the state rules so that a person can earn more while they’re on public assistance.

“That monthly benefit of supplemental nutrition program declines a little as they earn more, closer to 200% of federal poverty,” Damschroder said.

Now, people don’t have to be concerned about losing all of their public assistance. Instead, they can focus on moving from public assistance to selfsufficiency in the long run, which is ODJFS’ ultimate goal for people using SNAP benefits.