House Democrats Send Letter to Gov. DeWine Urging Immediate Action as Federal Shutdown Threatens SNAP Benefits

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House Democratic Caucus today sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine urging him to take immediate action to preserve SNAP benefits for 1.4M Ohioans at risk of going hungry when the federal government defaults on its November deposit to fully fund SNAP benefits due to President Trump and Congressional Republicans' refusing to end the federal government shutdown.

“Governor, we are asking that - by Wednesday- you declare a state of emergency, provide state funds to foodbanks to meet the needs of hungry Ohioans, and mobilize the national guard to distribute food on an as needed basis in coordination with the foodbanks. Ohio families will go hungry without SNAP benefits, including over a half million children, over 250,000 seniors, and an estimated 45,000 veterans. Time is of the essence, and we need to act before Saturday’s deadline, ” said House Democrats in their letter to the governor. “It does not matter where we stand on the respective sides of the battle over healthcare premiums in D.C., the reality is that the most vulnerable people across our state are going to go hungry if we do not act. We are urging leadership in the face of this crisis.” 

Specifically, House Democrats requested the governor:

• Use his executive authority to immediately declare a state of emergency; and
• Work with the legislature to unlock up to $100M to ensure that foodbanks can feed those in need citing various funding sources that could be made available and noting Controlling Board’s emergency fund as the most immediate option.

Ohio families should not have to choose between buying food or medicine or keeping the heat on because of the state’s failure to respond to this urgent crisis. 

The letter signed Tuesday by all 34 members of the House Democratic Caucus is attached here.