DAYTON — Dayton city leaders are urging Ohio officials to minimize upcoming cuts to food assistance and health care programs following a recent change in federal law.
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The national policy revision adds new work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The statutory change arrives as nearly 100,000 Ohioans lost access to food assistance over the past year.
Although federal legislation dictates the new criteria, state government is tasked with managing the program and implementing the changes across Ohio.
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Dayton Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss is asking state officials to overcommunicate with community organizations and individuals relying on food assistance so residents are not caught off guard by the adjustments.
“These changes threaten to cause eligible residents to lose coverage or food assistance, not because they no longer qualify,” Turner-Sloss said. “But because of added red tape and bureaucracy and administrative burdens.”
Dayton officials passed a resolution last week to formally express their opposition to the food assistance cuts.
The measures are part of a federal law known as the Big Beautiful Bill.
The federal legislation adds new work requirements for individuals to qualify for SNAP, which is administered by the state.
While the federal government mandates the policy changes, state authorities are responsible for implementing them to determine who remains eligible for the program.
The political action in Dayton comes as regional leaders address significant economic challenges in the area.
According to Turner-Sloss, nearly one-third of Dayton residents currently live below the poverty level.
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