The state of Ohio has a plan to restrict SNAP purchases that could affect thousands of people. This plan limits what they can buy with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) are sponsoring this new proposal that could limit food choices for SNAP recipients, causing concern among households that rely on this vital payment.
SNAP benefits are a form of government assistance meant to help low-income individuals and families buy nutritious food. The program was formerly known as food stamps. The aim is to ensure that these individuals have access to the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
The proposal, called the Healthy SNAP Act, seeks to prohibit the purchase of certain foods with SNAP benefits. These foods include soft drinks, ice cream, candy, and other processed desserts that provide no nutritional value to an individual. The goal, according to Husted, is to promote healthy eating.
“American taxpayers are footing the bill for both ends of a broken system,” Husted said. “We subsidize unhealthy, highly processed foods and then pay again for the health problems they cause.”
If the proposal is passed, the law will also require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update the list of nutritious foods every five years to reflect the latest updates in nutritional science.
Who Could Be Affected?
Ohio has a population of 1.4 million people who rely on SNAP benefits. In Trumbull County, 33,061 people are recipients of SNAP, while Mahoning County has 42,485 recipients. Columbiana has the lowest number with 14,319 recipients.
These households, which include children, older adults or people with disabilities, could be affected if the proposal becomes law. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 65% of SNAP recipients in Ohio are families with children, 33% are working families, and about 43% are older adults and disabled individuals.
Why the Plan is Controversial?
Supporters of the bill argue that SNAP, which costs taxpayers about $113 billion annually and serves about 42 million Americans, should be used to purchase nutritious foods, not products that contribute to chronic diseases and heart problems. Therefore, restricting beneficiaries from using SNAP benefits to purchase sugary items is a step toward eliminating unnecessary health care costs.
However, critics warn that the restrictions could hurt people who are already struggling, especially those in food deserts with limited access to fresh produce or healthier foods, and that healthy foods are often more expensive, so the restrictions could further limit what families can afford to buy.
Advocates also argue that the proposed SNAP rules would not address larger issues such as inflation, food security, and poverty, which are key challenges for low-income families.
Additional Changes That Could Compound the Impact.
In addition to the proposed Healthy SNAP Act, there is the Ohio House budget plan that proposes new work requirements for SNAP recipients and cuts funding for anti-hunger programs. One major change in this plan prevents the state from seeking a waiver from the federal work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.
Unless recipients meet the work requirements or qualify for a medical exemption, they risk losing their SNAP benefits entirely.
The budget also requires participants to report any life changes that could affect their eligibility within 30 days, limiting their flexibility.
What Is Expected Next?
The Ohio Senate is expected to draft its version of the budget, which will be reconciled with the House version before being sent to Governor Mike DeWine. The final budget is scheduled to be approved by June 30, 2025.
If the Healthy SNAP Act moves forward, thousands of Ohio beneficiaries could see changes in the variety of foods they are allowed to purchase with SNAP benefits. In the future, it could be impossible or illegal to buy soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts with SNAP benefits. This is in addition to the products already prohibited, which include alcohol or tobacco, vitamins or supplements, pet food, household supplies and personal care items.