COLUMBUS, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—State Representatives Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) and Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) have introduced legislation that would require the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to provide a supplemental benefit allotment to qualifying senior citizen households participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“Since the termination of the public health emergency, over 70,000 older Ohioan households have seen their monthly benefit reduced to $23 a month after receiving substantially more for the last 3 years. This legislation would increase that minimum benefit to $50 per month with a state-funded supplement,” said Rep. Troy.
The bill aims to protect older Ohioans living on fixed incomes who struggle to afford nutritious food due to high inflation. To be eligible for this supplemental benefit allotment, an individual must be 60 years of age or older and currently receive a monthly SNAP benefit allotment that is less than $50.
“From 2013 to 2023, food pantry visits by Ohioans 60+ increased by 124 percent, with more than 3 million visits by older Ohioans in 2023. Older Ohioans represent more than one in five people served by Ohio’s hunger relief network,” stated Joree Novotny, Executive Director of the Ohio Foodbanks Association.
The estimated cost of implementing this policy is between $30 and $40M over the remainder of this biennium and would be subject to review and required reauthorization in the next biennial budget.
Rep. Edwards chairs the Ohio House Finance Committee. Rep. Troy also serves on the House Finance Committee and has introduced other bills to improve the lives of older Ohioans, including increasing and expanding the Homestead Exemption (HB 60), designating May as Older Ohioans Month (HB 173), and increasing penalties on elder abuse (HB 419).
The legislation awaits a bill number and assignment to a House Committee.
Keywords: Ohio, SNAP Benefits, Senior Citizens, State Representatives, Daniel Troy, Jay Edwards, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, Ohio Foodbanks Association, Ohio House Finance Committee.