On Wednesday, May 14, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee passed an unfathomable $300 billion in cuts to SNAP, along party lines. If made law, these cuts would dramatically restructure the program and effectively end SNAP as the nation's best defense against hunger and critical economic stabilizer during future recessions.
Preliminary estimates on the impact of federal SNAP cuts proposed by Congress are devastating.
Cuts of this magnitude would harm Ohioans in every community, put immense pressure on Ohio’s state budget and essentially abandon the nation’s long-term commitment to providing basic food assistance for every family who qualifies. All together, these cuts would require at least $645 million per year in new state spending to maintain current SNAP benefit levels. Cuts would also negatively impact Ohio’s economy; every $1 in SNAP spending generates $1.74 in economic activity.
Newly required state contribution to SNAP benefits would cost Ohio at least $475 million annually
Federal legislation would require Ohio to pay 5-25% of SNAP benefit costs, based on a variable annual "payment error rate." Despite Ohio’s payment error rate being well-below the national average at 7%, the state would be required to pay 15% of SNAP benefits. If this provision went in effect in FY26, it would cost Ohio at least $475m in General Revenue Funds each year.
This percentage will change every year, making it impossible for state planning through a biennium budget process.
This price tag would be even higher in an economic recession when the unemployment rate goes up and state tax receipts go down - fundamentally undermining SNAP's ability to meet rising needs, as it has done successfully for more than 50 years.
Increases the administrative cost share to 75% could cost Ohio at least $70 million every year
Members of Congress defend this cost shift by saying states should have skin in the game—but they already do. In FY23, Ohio spent $140m on SNAP administrative costs at state and county levels.
By increasing the state's cost-share from 50% to 75%, Ohio would have to come up with an additional $70m or more every year.
Harsh new work rules and new childcare spending could impact 100,000 parents and cost Ohio as much as $100 million every year
Proposed changes will likely require states to offer childcare and other work participation costs to 100,000 parents of school-age children who would now be required to work 80+ hours/month. While precise estimates aren't yet available, this could easily add another $100m unfunded mandate into Ohio's state budget.
SNAP benefits of more than 300,000 Ohioans—including children—are in peril
In addition to the abandonment of a 50+ year national commitment to fully fund the nation's primary defense against hunger, this bill also jeopardizes the SNAP benefits of approximately 316,000 Ohioans, including children by imposing harsh new work requirements on older adults (ages 55-64) and parents with school-age children (as young as 7 years old).
This bill also jeopardizes the SNAP benefits of approximately 316,000 Ohioans, including children
There is still time to abandon these dangerous policy changes. Ohioans from every sector—including state lawmakers and local government leaders—still have time to communicate with Ohio's Congressional delegation about the importance of SNAP to Ohioans and our local economy. Now is the time.
Contact your Senators and Representatives.
