Meanwhile, security for senior citizens who depend on Ohio’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will soon provide additional funds. This is a new state legislation bill designed to complement benefits for older residents with limited assistance and will go a long way for those having trouble paying for rising food costs.
What’s in the new bill
House Bill 178, recently introduced into the Ohio House of Representatives, proposes “supplemental benefit allotment” for senior citizens participating in SNAP. Under it, Ohio adults 60 years old and above should receive minimum monthly payouts of $50. More precisely, it will lift these pensioners from receiving lower than $50 in their monthly SNAP benefits. Although funding for SNAP is primarily federal, the Ohio state government will find money to up the minimum pension benefit for senior citizens.
This would indeed affect over 70,000 households of seniors in Ohio whose SNAP benefits were slashed by as much as 23 dollars per month. Over this cohort, the pandemic era emergency funding arrangement was lifted.
Support for the law
House Bill 178 enjoys bipartisan support. Introduced by the Democratic representative Daniel P. Troy and Republican representative Joshua Williams, the measure has the backing of 19 more Democratic lawmakers.
According to Representative Troy, “Since the end of the public health emergency, more than 70,000 elderly households in Ohio have seen their monthly benefits reduced to $23. This legislation represents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of older Ohioans.”
The same concern was echoed by Representative Williams with reference to the impact of inflation on aging citizens on fixed incomes. “After coming through a period of record inflation, I believe it is ill-advised to reduce necessary benefits for Ohio seniors. We must ensure they continue to receive the support they need to live with dignity and stability,” he said to Newsweek.
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Connecting seniors in Ohio to nutritional
The Ohio Association of Food Banks has also strongly endorsed the bill, underscoring the essential place that food assistance programs hold for Ohio’s vulnerable residents. Noted Joree Novotny, the organization’s executive director: “One out of five individuals served by food banks in Ohio is a senior citizen.”
“Investment by state in increased minimum monthly SNAP benefit, benefiting low-income seniors facing heightened costs associated with housing, medication, and food. We commend the sponsors for such an introduction,” Novotny said.
What comes next
House Bill 178 is currently in the hands of the House Review Committee for Community Revitalization. Assuming passage, the bill would provide some critical financial lift to elders within Ohio, making it possible for them to afford basic nutrition alongside rising costs of living.
This proposed change represents for older Ohioans who depend on SNAP, a positive change on the way to increasing food security and financial stability.
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