Policy Alert – Impending SNAP Benefits Cutoff 

The federal government has notified the state that, due to the ongoing government shutdown, it does not have sufficient funds to pay full SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for the month of November. As a result, SNAP recipients may not receive their November benefits as normally scheduled. Roughly 1.45 million Ohioans, about 1 in 9 households, receive SNAP benefits.  

The SNAP cutoff will increase demand for food assistance. Additionally, supply is already lower at these food banks due to $1 billion in cuts from the USDA earlier this year. These compounding issues are destabilizing an already fragile food assistance network, leaving vulnerable Ohioans at greater risk. Although Governor DeWine signed an executive order directing $25 million to food aid, it is not a substitute for SNAP.   

Now is the time for funders to act.  

You can help stabilize Ohio’s food assistance network and support your nonprofit partners through this crisis.   

Take Action Now:  

✓ Reach out now. Contact your grantees and nonprofit partners in the food security space to understand what they’re facing on the ground and how it will impact your community.  

✓ Act fast with flexible funding. Provide unrestricted – and when possible, unsolicited – grants to food banks and safety-net nonprofits.  

✓ Mobilize your donors. If you’re a community foundation, rally your DAF holders. Make it simple for them to give and spotlight local food banks across your communications.  

✓ Spread the word. Share community resource lists widely to ensure every Ohioan knows where to turn for help.  

As we approach Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season, there is still deep uncertainty. Although we know that philanthropy is not the long-term answer for this situation, our sector will continue to be incredibly important, even after the shutdown is resolved. The impact of these cuts on our neighbors and on our systems will linger, so please continue to support these organizations.

Your foundation’s leadership can make a difference.   

Read how one of our members is responding with a $500K investment in local food pantries. 
  
Learn about a national funders’ working group in response to the SNAP crisis 
  
Download a communications toolkit to help support your community during the SNAP uncertainties.    

Learn about Philanthropy Ohio's policy & advocacy work.

Upcoming Philanthropy Ohio Policy Programs  

Housing Policy Table – November 2025 
Monday, November 3 | 11 a.m. –  noon | via Zoom 

Education Policy Table – November 2025 
Monday, November 3 | 3 – 4 p.m. | via Zoom 

Health Policy Table – November 2025 
Thursday, November 6 | 1 – 2 p.m. | via Zoom 

Federal Policy Update – save the date  
Monday, November 10 | 3 – 4 p.m. | via Zoom   

Democracy Table – November 2025 
Wednesday, November 12 | 1 – 2 p.m. | via Zoom 

Property Tax Legislative Update – save the date  
Monday, November 24 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | via Zoom