[NFBOH-Cleveland] Two Good Reads

Wed Nov 12 16:40:36 UTC 2025

Following Latest Federal Guidance, Ohio to Begin Distribution of Partial
November SNAP Benefits

Ohio JFS Press Release
November 10, 2025

COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)
announced today that it is taking the necessary steps to distribute partial
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this week - as
early as Wednesday - and continuing daily until complete. This comes after
receiving new federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which oversees the federally funded
program formerly known as food stamps.

The latest FNS guidance, which was updated following federal court action
over the weekend, instructs ODJFS to reduce the maximum amount each
household can receive in November by 35% and to recalculate each household's
payment based on that new maximum amount. The exact amount each household
will receive is based on factors such as gross and net income and allowable
deductions such as housing and medical costs. Under the revised federal
calculations, nearly all recipients will receive less than 65% of their
normal benefit. Some recipients, particularly those whose earnings place the
household near the cutoff for eligibility, may receive no benefits this week
under the revised calculation. An official notice explaining each
household's specific benefit change will be issued. After the federal
government shutdown ends, additional FNS guidance will be needed to
determine how to handle the difference between what would ordinarily be
issued for the month and what is being issued this week.

Prior to the shutdown, approximately 1.4 million Ohioans received about $264
million in food benefits from SNAP each month. The distribution of those
benefits was staggered through the 20th of each month. All recipients who've
not yet received their November benefit, as well as individuals who were
approved for, but not paid benefits in October, will begin receiving their
partial November benefit this week. Those whose normal issuance date has not
yet passed will receive their reduced benefit as normally scheduled.
Benefits are accessed through their Ohio Direction (EBT) card and recipients
are encouraged to check their balances through their Connect EBT app, or
Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal.

Last week, Governor Mike DeWine ordered ODJFS to distribute $7 million to
eight regional foodbanks. He also ordered ODJFS to distribute up to $18
million in emergency relief benefits to more than 63,000 Ohioans - including
more than 57,000 children - who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty
level. This takes the form of an additional benefit to Ohio Works First
(OWF) participants totaling one quarter of their monthly OWF allotment per
week while SNAP benefits are unavailable. Last week, ODJFS distributed $3.7
million in emergency relief as part of this effort. ODJFS will continue to
make a week-by-week evaluation of whether to continue this enhanced
assistance.

The latest information on the impact of the federal government shutdown on
ODJFS programs can be found at
<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fjfs.ohio.gov%2Fhelp-center%
2F2025-federal-government-shutdown/1/0100019a6fa1a076-1a690fd0-21a0-490b-b6f
6-90ba329febb6-000000/ch80SvPbMYJ4yva8QkuOV--iBsNVxP03GWUuUE9jwJg=430>
jfs.ohio.gov.

  _____  

Goodwill Easterseals launches new food truck to build skills, training

Whio TV7
November 11, 2025

DAYTON - Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley has launched a new food truck,
Good Connections, designed to help individuals with disabilities develop job
skills and access employment opportunities.

The Good Connections food truck is part of a broader program that includes
food service, boutique, and janitorial training areas, designed to provide
participants with valuable skills for the workforce.

"I'm ready to work on this food truck," said Heavenleigh Thomas, who is part
of the first group to work on the Good Connections food truck.

Allison Underwood, Director of Developmental Disabilities Services at
Goodwill Easterseals, explained, "We have created our food service area, our
boutique area, and our janitorial area for individuals to explore."

Thomas has spent the last year working at the cafe at Goodwill Easterseals
Miami Valley and is excited to serve food from the new truck. "Coming here,
making money. Smile, greet customers. I love everything about it," she said.

The Good Connections program aims to provide opportunities and job skills to
individuals with developmental disabilities. "The goal for our individuals
is always to move on to a job," said Underwood.

Participants in the program can also learn retail and design skills in the
boutique area. "They'll learn all the pieces of retail from actually
creating those items to selling those items," Underwood noted.

Underwood hopes the food truck will connect with local businesses and
demonstrate the potential of their participants as successful employees.
"We're really hoping that it connects with local businesses, and that we can
make those connections to show other business owners," she said.

The Good Connections food truck is currently in a soft launch phase and is
expected to be seen at different Goodwill stores in Dayton next month.

Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Vice President

Ohio Legislative Director

Cleveland Chapter, President

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

P: (216) 990-6199

W: NFBOhio.ORG

Facebook:  <https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/>
https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/

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