Senate Plan Would Probe Assets Of Ohio Food Stamp Recipients

The Senate version of Ohio's next state budget would require a new “asset test” for food stamp recipients, measuring their net worth by income and belongings such as cars. Advocates for low-income Ohioans call the amendment “harmful” and are urging lawmakers to remove it.

Republican Senate President Matt Huffman said some people are taking advantage of the program and the intent is to be sure benefits are reaching recipients who actually need them.

The proposed legislation would put a cap on vehicle assets for Ohioans using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at $4,650.  

Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) supports the measure, saying it won't impact people who need public assistance to eat. 

"Yes, we want to make sure that the recipients are not well-to-do, that they actually need them. The purpose of public assistance is not to help people build savings accounts and investment portfolios, it's to help families in need," Schaffer said. 

But advocates for low-income people say that scenario is a myth, arguing the change would create more bureaucratic hurdles for poor Ohioans, forcing them to choose between a car that can get them to work or a vital safety net for food.

Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, Ohio Association of Foodbanks executive director, said strict SNAP regulations are not needed when the rate of fraud in the program is very low.

"We need to be strengthening opportunities for low-income Ohioans, not pulling the rug out from underneath of them," Hamler-Fugitt said. "The last thing we want to do is see people render themselves to abject poverty because the opportunities and the chances for people to be able to claw your way out back into the middle class and mainstream are pretty much slim to none."

The provision would stop the state from exercising the ability to waive the federal cap on asset limits, Hamler-Fugitt said.

The Ohio House and Senate have until June 30 to come to a final agreement on a two-year state budget and send it to Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio).

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