Ohio, other states, face a SNAP gap

Federal and state officials acted responsibly when they conducted the early release of food assistance for February. They did so to avoid deep reductions in benefits if the partial federal government shutdown extended into a third month. Fortunately, the shutdown ended after an unnecessary 35 days.

That doesn’t mean recipients of food assistance, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are in the clear. The early issuance has created a new problem. Many recipients will go 40 days or more before receiving the next monthly issuance.

These are vulnerable households, including 1.8 million Ohioans, already facing tight family budgets. Those additional days before food assistance arrives promise hardship. In that way, federal and state officials should be prepared to intervene with the resources required to help people cover the SNAP gap.

That especially goes for Ohio. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes that one-half of the state’s recipients face a gap of 50 days or more, with 30 percent looking at more than 55 days.

The gaps reflect the staggered release of food assistance. The early issuance of February benefits came on Jan. 16 and thus departed from the usual pattern. Many Ohioans now must wait until after March 10 or March 15 to see their benefits.

Why not just budget accordingly?

The reality is that many recipients spend their food assistance soon after they receive it. A federal study shows households typically redeem more than one-half of their benefits within one week, largely to preserve the cash they have on hand for other expenses, such as rent and utilities.

Moreover, the assistance hardly rates as excessive. In Ohio, the average monthly benefit is $122. So waiting 50 days, or even 60, for additional assistance isn’t something easily handled for many households.

Those in charge of the state’s food banks and food pantries know the struggles of households with low incomes to put sufficient food on the table. They see the pattern of increased demand at their facilities. They also report that their own operations feel the strain. That explains the Ohio Association of Foodbanks voicing concern about the looming gap in assistance for many poor families.

The association points to the options available for Congress and the Statehouse if it appears the burden for households is becoming too much. Federal lawmakers could issue emergency food assistance as they do in the wake of natural disasters. The state could tap its funds, the need in this instance infinitesimal compared to the nearly $3 billion in the rainy day fund. Gov. Mike Dewine could take steps to see that one-time money is available to food banks to ensure they have adequate supplies.

Food assistance isn’t something limited to narrow patches of the state. Every county has recipients. In Summit, the number is 13 percent of the population. In Cuyahoga, it’s 17 percent; Ashtabula and Mahoning, 18 percent.

One-half of Ohio households receiving food assistance have at least one child under age 18. If children go hungry, their educations are impaired. So it is imperative that federal and state leaders pay attention. The harmful fallout from the government shutdown includes a foodassistance gap they must be ready to address.