Ohio SNAP recipients now have until this date to file for replacement aid after outages

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio has extended its deadline for food assistance recipients to request replacement benefits after losing food in recent power outages.

Ohio Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients who lost food in power outages caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene hitting Ohio on Sept. 27 now have until Oct. 27 to request replacement benefits.

The announcement increases the window for reimbursement from 10 days to 30 days. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said they secured a federal waiver to allow the extended help for SNAP recipients.

To qualify, families must have purchased food through participation in the SNAP assistance program that was damaged due to a power outage of at least four hours. Families who are eligible can then apply for replacement SNAP benefits for perishable items as long as it does not exceed their monthly allotment.

Families must fill out this form and file it with their county ODJFS office. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of their extended power outage, such as news reports, alerts from power companies or outage maps.