Ohio Senate Democrats Urge Governor to Fund SNAP Benefits in the Event of Federal Funding Lapse

Today, the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine urging him to take immediate action to ensure that the over 1.4 million Ohioans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not go hungry should federal funding for the program lapse on November 1.

“Because of the federal government shutdown, Ohioans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), nearly half of whom are children, will be left without the vital assistance that keeps food on their table beginning on Saturday, November 1,” read the letter. “Republican-led and Democratic-led states across the nation have been taking the necessary actions to continue funding SNAP benefits and keep families fed during this shutdown.”

Senate Democrats identified the state’s $3.9 billion “Rainy Day Fund” as a source to continue providing SNAP benefits to the Ohioans who need them. Funding SNAP benefits for one month would require only $263 million.

“This is not a partisan issue, or even a political issue. This is a moral imperative. Please take immediate action to do anything and everything in your power to ensure the most vulnerable Ohioans continue to receive the assistance they need.”

Read the full letter here.