Families on SNAP benefits now have to make less stretch further at the grocery store beginning Wednesday.
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One in eight Ohioans is on SNAP assistance. More than 64 percent of them are families with children.
“It’s a critical safety net for children, working families, seniors and more,” said Makell Baccus, Montgomery County Social Program Manager.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, all SNAP participants will receive at least $95 less a month. Some could receive as much as $250 less.
“It will be helpful for families to reach out for some of those additional resource programs,” Baccus said.
This includes resources such as the Foodbank in Dayton.
“We know we are going to see an increase in need— it’s very hard to articulate what that need is going to look like,” said Lee Lauren Truesdale, Chief Development Officer of the Foodbank. “What we do know is we are really pros here at preparing for emergencies.”
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There’s also other programs to help SNAP families with food, such as Produce Perks.
“This program allows them to use their SNAP EBT card and get up to $25 in bonus produce for every $25 that they spend. This is a daily opportunity,” Baccus said.
Baccus says utility assistance and rent assistance are resources impacted families can turn to help them fill in the gaps. All of them are prepared to help.
“Each community resource I know has been gearing up to address how they may better support the community or what type of resources they have to be available for these SNAP households,” Baccus said.
If you are in need of help but aren’t sure where to turn, you can call the United Way help line at 211. They’ll be able to point you directly to resources right in your community.