IMPORTANT NOTICES

Suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November due to the federal shutdown

UPDATE 11/13/2025 1:53 p.m.

The Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services has just received federal guidance to take immediate steps to ensure eligible households receive their full November benefits.  Monitor your SNAP balance using the Connect EBT app or the Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal.  (See below for more information on checking your SNAP account.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The federal shutdown has ended!  The Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services reports the following:  Based on federal guidance issued in early November, ODJFS issued partial November SNAP benefits. Under the federal guidance, all eligible households received a reduced amount, and some received no benefit, depending on income and eligibility. Check your Connect EBT app or the Ohio Benefits Portal regularly for your issuance. With the ending of the federal government shutdown, ODJFS is awaiting further federal guidance on paying full November SNAP benefits. We are monitoring the situation and are ready to act once we receive specific guidance from the federal government. We will continue providing updates on the situation at jfs.ohio.gov.

 UPDATE 11/6/2025

The Trump Administration has approved a partial issuance of SNAP benefits for November despite continuation of the federal shutdown.  Eligible SNAP recipients will receive 65% of their normal issuance for the month, not 50% as initially reported.  $4.65 billion in federal emergency/contingency funds will be used for this expenditure.   Exactly when these funds will be made available to recipients has not been reported.  To obtain SNAP benefits balance information you can do any of the following:

(1) Log into the Ohio Benefits self-service portal at ohio.gov or

(2) Call the number on the back of your EBT card or use the Connect EBT app or

(2) Call 1-844-640-6446 to speak to someone about your case.

Gov. DeWine Provides Update on Efforts to Support Food Assistance During Federal Shutdown

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today provided a series of updates on the State’s ongoing efforts to support Ohio families being affected by the suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced this week that they had received new federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the possibility of providing partial SNAP benefits for the month of November.

As the process of reviewing this guidance continues, ODJFS has reported to the Governor that, without an immediate resolution to the shutdown, SNAP benefits will not be available this week.

With this understanding, Governor DeWine reaffirmed today that the plan he announced last week – providing up to $25 million in support of food assistance to help families impacted by the suspension of SNAP benefits – continues to move forward.

Assistance for Food Banks

The first part of the Governor’s plan directed ODJFS to provide $7 million to regional food banks across the state.

Today, the Governor announced that the state has transferred the following amounts to  the regional food banks listed below, with each amount based on the food bank’s percentage of customers in the SNAP caseload:

• Freestore Foodbank – $795,637.50
• Greater Cleveland Food Bank – $1,170,837.50
• Toledo Seagate Food Bank – $570,937.50
• Mid-Ohio Food Collective – $1,440,337.50
• Shared Harvest Foodbank – $1,431,937.50
• Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank – $887,337.50
• Second Harvest Foodbank of the Mahoning Valley – $427,437.50
• Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio – $275,537.50

Assistance for Extremely Low-Income Families with Children

The Governor’s plan also directs ODJFS to provide up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 Ohioans – including more than 57,000 children – who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level. These individuals are recipients of Ohio Works First (OWF) – a program that provides needed assistance for extremely low-income families with children.

Should the shutdown continue for the entire month of November, the Governor’s plan would effectively double the monthly OWF benefit for OWF recipients.

Under the Governor’s plan, these families are set to receive their typical monthly OWF allotment, plus an additional weekly benefit equaling 25% of their typical monthly OWF allotment. The weekly payments will last up to four weeks or until federal SNAP funding resumes.

Today, the Governor announced that this portion of the plan continues to move forward as well. ODJFS expects OWF recipients to receive their first installment of emergency relief benefits by Friday, Nov. 7.

The Governor also provided an update regarding the Ohio Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program:

WIC

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) received $10.3 million on Tuesday from the USDA to continue WIC benefits. This funding allows ODH to continue to offer food benefits to eligible mothers, infants, and children into December. 

Ohio mothers, infants, and children can receive supplemental, highly nutritious foods such as cereal, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, whole grain foods, fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, beans, fish, and iron-fortified infant formula.

WIC helps eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants, and children up to 5 years of age through supplemental nutrition, nutrition education, and referrals to prenatal and pediatric healthcare, and other maternal and child health and human service programs.  Ohio WIC funds 75 local agencies to provide services in all 88 counties, serving an average of 180,000 mothers, infants, and children per month.

UPDATE 11/1/2025 FROM THE OHIO DEPT OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

If the federal shutdown continues, will SNAP benefits be issued for November?

• As of November 1, 2025, all November SNAP benefit allotments are suspended until sufficient federal funding is provided or until the federal government issues further direction. This includes fair hearing benefits for November.

Will OWF benefits be issued for November?

• OWF benefits will be issued for November 2025.

What will happen if I apply for SNAP in November?

• If you apply for SNAP in November, your county JFS agency will process your application normally. If you are eligible, you will receive an approval notice, but November SNAP benefit allotments are suspended until sufficient federal funding is provided or until the federal government issues further direction.

What if I applied before November but my application is still pending?

• If you applied for SNAP prior to November but your application is pending, the county agency will process your application normally. We are waiting to hear from the federal government if benefits you are eligible for prior to November can be issued before the shutdown ends.

How can I check my case/benefits?

• You can log into the Ohio Benefits self-service portal at ohio.gov or call 1-844-640-6446 to speak to someone about your case. You can also call the number on the back of your EBT card or use the Connect EBT app to get balance information.

Do I have fair hearing rights on the suspension of benefits due to the federal government shutdown?

• Per the federal government, there are no fair hearing rights on the suspension of benefits.

Can I still redeem SNAP benefits received prior to November 1, 2025?

• You may continue to use benefits issued to your EBT card prior to November 1, 2025, at any SNAP-authorized retailer. The suspension applies only to November 2025 benefits and does not impact any prior benefits. The use of benefits at eligible retailers is not impacted.

Will my county JFS office remain open?

• At this time, county JFS offices will remain open.

Do I need to meet my requirements in November?

• You are required to maintain all program requirements to remain eligible for any retroactive benefits that may be issued at the conclusion of the federal shutdown.

Where can I go to get help with food?

• Your local food bank or food pantry may be able to help meet your food needs. To find your local food bank or pantry, go to link below. 

UPDATE -  10/30/2025

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—This afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2025-06D: The Emergency Adoption of Rule 5101:1-23-40.1 of the Ohio Administrative Code for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Directing the Provision of Temporary Assistance to Ohioans Facing Food Insecurity.

The executive order will provide up to $25 million for food assistance to help Ohio families that will be affected by the suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, should the ongoing federal government shutdown continue.

The Governor’s order directs the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to give $7 million to various Ohio food banks and up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 Ohioans – including more than 57,000 children – who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level.

---

The Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services is closely monitoring the situation.  In October, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported that the federal shutdown will cause a delay in federal SNAP benefits, and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service announced it was suspending all November SNAP benefit allotments until sufficient federal funding is provided.  This suspension was effective November 1, 2025. 

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service advises that, during this suspension of benefits, SNAP recipients are allowed to use any unspent portion of their October SNAP benefits remaining on their EBT cards.

We don't know how long the disruption to November SNAP benefits will last.  However, we want to assure you that this delay is temporary, and there are already efforts underway at the state and federal level to address this emergency (see above).  As soon as the shutdown is over, the federal suspension of SNAP benefits will end and there will be immediate action to resume issuance of November benefits to eligible households.

We are following nearly daily updates from the state and federal government.  We will share information on our website as soon as it becomes available.   Please check our website regularly for updates on the status of your November SNAP benefits or go to jfs.ohio.gov. 

The Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services remains open during the federal shutdown.  We will continue to process new applications and client recertifications to ensure benefit accuracy when federal funding resumes.  All SNAP eligibility requirements remain in effect during the shutdown.  

For Ashland County residents seeking additional help through this emergency, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks maintains a list of county-level partners on its website:

https://ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks/

Additional local resources (click below):

FOOD RESOURCE LIST - ASHLAND COUNTY

FOOD RESOURCE LIST - LOCAL BROCHURES

FOOD RESOURCE LIST - SURROUNDING COUNTIES

 Ashland County Medicaid recipients: 

The federal shutdown does not affect Medicaid at this time. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has confirmed it has sufficient funding to support Medicaid through at least the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.

Fraud Alert: Complaints Regarding 866 or 844 Numbers

The State Fraud Control Section has been made aware of complaints regarding calls made to our SNAP clients from 866 or 844 toll-free numbers shortly after making application or a change to their case. The perpetrator will ask for money in exchange to have their SNAP case processed in 1 or 2 days.  There is no cost to you to process your SNAP application or any public assistance application.  

 A new way to protect SNAP benefits!  

There is a card lock feature in the ConnectEBT mobile app to assist Ohioans in securing their SNAP benefits. The card lock feature allows the cardholder to lock their card when not in use.  The EBT cardholder should consider setting their card to a locked status until they are actively making a purchase with the EBT card. Once the purchase is successful the cardholder can then lock their card again using the ConnectEBT mobile app.  Additionally, ODJFS uses card activity alerts in the ConnectEBT mobile app. These alerts notify the card holder when their card has been used to make a purchase, receive a refund for a return, PIN changes and deposits. 

Need to apply for unemployment benefits?   

You can file online at https://unemployment.ohio.gov/ 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  If you don’t have a computer or internet access, you can apply by phone by calling 1- 877-644-6562, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Looking for a job?  Or looking to post a job opening?   There are thousands of job postings on the JobSearch.Ohio.Gov website from hundreds of companies. We encourage individuals or employers to visit the website and apply for a position or post their job opportunities.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Assistance Programs: To apply for, renew or update cash, food, medical or child care assistance, call 1-844-640-6446 or click to apply at www.benefits.ohio.gov. You can drop off documents in the drop box located at the main entrance on Fourth Street. (Please do not leave cash or checks in this box).  

Child Support Enforcement: Customers may request services by calling the agency or visiting our website (forms available). Customers may also access the Ohio Child Support Customer Service Portal Web Portal to view and print payment information, and message a caseworker.  You can make child support payments by credit/debit card at https://oh.smartchildsupport.com or by calling 1-888-965-2676. You can also send payments to Ohio CSPC, P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, OH 43218-2372,  and please make sure to include Case Name, Social Security Number, Case and Order Number. 

Child and Adult Protective Services: Normal business hours, Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Emergency on-call services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have questions about your case, please contact your caseworker by phone or email.

To report child abuse or neglect, call 419-282-5001 or call 911 for emergencies. 

Workforce and OhioMeansJobs Services:  The OMJ resource room is open to the public.  No appointment necessary.  Call us to learn about our employment assistance services, 419-282-5000.   See the LOCAL JOBS button on our main page.  If you have internet access, search for jobs at  www.ohiomeansjobs.com .

 ASHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC WIFI HOTSPOTS: Ashland County Fairgrounds, Corner Park (W. Main St. & Claremont Ave.), Brookside Park Main Ball Diamond, Brookside Bandshell, Nankin (between church & ball field), Kendig Park in Hayesville, Ashland Public Library.