(The Center Square) – As the federal government shutdown hit a record length, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday afternoon no SNAP benefits will be released this week, unless the federal government opens immediately.
The news comes after the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said earlier this week that those who receive benefits could expect to get half of their usual amount in November.
That announcement came after Family Services said it had received new guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is in the process of reviewing them.
DeWine signed an emergency order releasing $25 million in state taxpayer funds for food, with $7 million heading to local food banks.
DeWine said that money has been transferred to regional food banks in eight different areas of the state – Cleveland, Toledo, north central Ohio, central Ohio, the Akron-Canton area, Cincinnati and the Dayton area.
DeWine also approved giving $18 million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 people.
More than 1.4 million Ohioans have gone without federal food benefits since Saturday.
DeWine also said Thursday the Ohio Department of Health did receive $10.3 million from the USDA to continue the Ohio Women, Infants and Children program this month.
Ohio mothers, infants, and children can receive supplemental foods such as cereal, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, whole grain foods, fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, beans, fish and iron-fortified infant formula.
