SNAP recipients who were told they wouldn't receive benefits until next month will get a portion of their March allotment earlier than expected.
Hamilton County Job and Family Services Director Moira Weir says March benefits will be split and recipients will receive the first half next week.
"So, that's only 50 percent on February 22, and the remaining part of their March benefit will be loaded on their normal date – whatever that date is – in March," Weir says.
February SNAP benefits were distributed early in January because of the partial government shutdown, leading to concerns about people running out of food before their March distribution.
“Ohio expects to return to the standard cycle of benefits issuance in April, barring another shutdown,” the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said in a press release.
Weir says the split distribution is being done so that no one goes more than 40 days without benefits.
Ohio households can qualify for SNAP benefits if their income is at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
