COLUMBUS – To mark National Nutrition Month in March, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Monday announced that it has issued over $1 billion in additional food benefits to Ohio’s families and children since the start of the pandemic.
The total includes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) payments.
“Having access to nutritious food is critical for families and children,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Henderson. “By working with our federal partners and using our Ohio Benefits system, we have been able to increase food security during these challenging times.”
Since March 2020, Ohio has issued:
Over $915 million in additional benefits through SNAP mass supplements to ensure that households received the maximum amount possible each month. The mass supplements provide about $80 million more in SNAP benefits a month to over 400,000 families.
About $462 million in P-EBT benefits to Ohio children impacted by remote and hybrid learning, who normally receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program
Over $32 million in SNAP benefits in just the first month of implementation as a result of the recently passed federal Consolidated Appropriations Act that increased SNAP benefits by 15%. Before the increase, a mom and two children could receive a maximum monthly benefit of $535. This same family could now be eligible for $616 per month. This change resulted in more than 700,000 households receiving an additional $32 million in January.
The federal legislation also extended the Farmers to Families Food Box program, which provides boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meat products for distribution at local food banks.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services manages vital programs that strengthen Ohio families. These include job training and employment services, unemployment insurance, cash and food assistance, child care, child and adult protective services, adoption, and child support services.