When a power outage strikes, it can lead to the loss of perishable food, particularly for those who rely on SNAP benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps).
Fortunately, for some residents in Northeast Ohio, there’s good news: the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has secured a waiver from the USDA to offer automatic SNAP replacement benefits to certain eligible recipients.
Let’s explore who qualifies, what they can expect, and how this process works.
SNAP Replacement Benefits Eligibility
The SNAP replacement benefits are available to residents in specific parts of Northeast Ohio affected by recent power outages. The waiver covers all SNAP beneficiaries in Lake and Geauga counties. Additionally, certain ZIP codes in Cuyahoga County are included. Here’s the full list of eligible ZIP codes:
Eligible ZIP Codes in Cuyahoga County: 44022, 44070, 44190, 44188, 44181, 44147, 44146, 44145, 44144, 44143, 44142, 44141, 44140, 44139, 44138, 44137, 44136, 44135, 44134, 44133, 44132, 44131, 44130, 44129, 44128, 44127, 44126, 44125, 44124, 44123, 44122, 44121, 44120, 44119, 44118, 44117, 44116, 44115, 44114, 44113, 44112, 44111, 44110, 44109, 44108, 44107, 44106, 44105, 44104, 44103, 44102, 44101.
How Much Will You Receive?
The amount of SNAP replacement you’ll receive depends on when your last benefit payment was made. The closer the payment date was to the power outage, the higher the replacement percentage. Here’s a breakdown:
| Date of Last Benefit Payment | Replacement Percentage |
|---|---|
| July 30 through August 6, 2024 | 60% |
| July 22 through July 29, 2024 | 45% |
| July 14 through July 21, 2024 | 30% |
| July 7 through July 13, 2024 | 15% |
What You Need to Do
The good news is that eligible recipients don’t need to do anything to receive their SNAP replacement benefits. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will automatically deposit the replacement amount onto your EBT or Ohio Direction Cards by August 30, 2024.
This replacement is specifically for perishable food items lost due to the power outage.
However, if a similar event occurs in the future, you might need to take action. For such cases, be sure to fill out the JFS 07222 form, titled “Statement Requesting Replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits,” within ten days of the food loss.
This form is essential to claim your benefits after an outage that lasts more than four hours and leads to the loss of food.
Important Considerations
It’s crucial to remember that this automatic replacement is only available for the current event in the specified areas.
If you live outside of the covered regions or experience a similar issue in the future, you’ll need to follow the standard procedure, which involves submitting the JFS 07222 form to your local Department of Job and Family Services.
For more detailed information and to stay updated on any further announcements, it’s a good idea to visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website or consult the news release linked at the end of this article.
In summary, if you’re a SNAP recipient in the affected parts of Northeast Ohio, you can expect a replacement for lost perishable foods by August 30, 2024.
There’s no need to take any action now, but being prepared with the necessary forms for future events is always a smart move.
FAQs
Who qualifies for the SNAP replacement?
Recipients in Lake and Geauga counties, and specific ZIP codes in Cuyahoga County.
When will I receive the SNAP replacement?
Eligible recipients will get their replacement benefits by August 30, 2024.
What percentage of my benefits will be replaced?
It ranges from 15% to 60%, depending on the date of your last payment.
Do I need to apply for the replacement benefits?
No, it will be automatically deposited if you’re eligible.
What should I do in a future outage?
Fill out the JFS 07222 form within ten days to claim lost benefits.
