SNAP Payments Drop in March – Millions lose Medicaid – What’s going on?
You’ve probably seen headlines screaming about the upcoming cut in food stamp benefits (SNAP payments) and warning that millions face being booted off Medicaid come March.
So what’s really happening? Have there been drastic budget cuts? Nope – things are just getting back to normal after the pandemic.
Families receiving SNAP benefits were given a temporary emergency boost in payments to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in March, clients will only get their regular SNAP payment loaded to their EBT card in the first half of the month.
According to Ohio Jobs and Family Services, individuals normally entitled to the minimum allotment of $23 per month have been receiving an additional $258 per month to receive the maximum allotment of $281.
Households of 3 normally entitled to $180 per month have been receiving an additional $560 per month to receive the maximum allotment of $740.
Households of 4 normally entitled to $939 per month (maximum allotment) have been receiving an additional $95 per month, for a total of $1034.
There will be no second payment later in the month.
Also in March, those who aren’t actually eligible for Medicaid will be booted out of the program. There hasn’t been an eligibility review since 2019, so that means that many people who became ineligible stayed on Medicaid during the pandemic. Only those who are no longer eligible should lose Medicaid benefits.