COLUMBUS, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a story published on March 10, 2021.
On Monday, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced an expansion to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which allows for college students to receive additional food support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has impacted food security for far too many Ohioans,” said ODJFS Interim Director Matt Damschroder. “We want to ensure that Ohio college students know about this temporary change because it could help them put food on the table.”
The extensions, which ODJFS says are temporary, are a part of the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act which gives eligible students the ability to receive additional food support. Students who qualify must also meet other SNAO eligibility guidelines according to ODJFS.
This also comes as the federal government increased the amount of benefits that a person can receive, a maximum of $234 per month for a sing adult who is not residing in a dorm. These guidelines will stay in effect until 30 days after the federal public health emergency order is lifted.
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Ohioans who are eligible can apply for SNAP at benefits.ohio.gov.
Editor's note: the video in the player below is from a story published on Dec. 16, 2020.