An official website of the Cuyahoga County government. Here’s how you know
Cuyahoga County Hunger Response Team
Federal Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Signed into law on July 4, 2025, House Resolution 1 of the One Big Beautiful Bill legislation introduces new eligibility, reporting, and administrative requirements that will affect thousands of families in Cuyahoga County.
What Team Members Can Do
- Stay informed and circulate with your networks how residents can keep their case up to date to prevent disruption of benefits.
- Communicate with residents about how incomplete case management requirements may delay benefits.
- Use the Social Media and Newsletter Communications Toolkit to access content for your social media feeds and newsletters.
What Customers Should Know
New Ohio Department of Job & Family Services Guidance
- New Ohio Department of Job & Family Services Guidance
- Adding SNAP work requirements for adults who are age 55 to 64 Able-Bodied Adults (ABA).
- Removing work requirement exemptions for residents experiencing homelessness, youth formerly in foster care and veterans.
- Adding work requirements for parents whose children are age 14 or older.
- Changing the standard utility allowance for customers in receipt of the Home Energy Assistance program who are not elderly or disabled.
If a Customer is a Non-citizen
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) issued guidance on new eligibility standards for non-citizens.
Food assistance for non-citizens (English)
Multiple Ways to Manage SNAP Cases
Customers can use the Ohio Benefits online portal, phone, fax, secure drop boxes, and local libraries to manage their cases.
What Customers Should Do
Keep residents informed and keep their cases up to date to prevent disruption of benefits.
Not completing case management requirements may delay issuance of benefits.
Manage Their Cases
Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal
- Residents can use this to apply online and manage their case.
- Be aware of benefit changes and available support.
Contact Information Current
Is Your Contact Information Up to Date?
It is important for residents to keep their contact information up to date for their case.
Submit Verifications on Time
Verification Requested by Assistance Program
A list of documents that need to be submitted for each assistance program.
Upload Documents
Ohio Benefits Self-service Portal
Do You Know How to Upload Documents via the Self-Service Portal?
This explains how to upload documents on the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal.
Eligibility Contact Center
Did You Know That You Can Upload Documents on the Contact Center?
This explains how to upload documents on the Eligibility Contact Center.
Sign Up for Text Alerts
Stay Informed. Stay on Track. Stay Connected!
Get the status of your benefits and sign up for text alerts from the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal.
Reinstate SNAP
Were Your Benefits Recently Discontinued?
This explains that there is no need to submit a new application if they missed the interview or didn’t submit all requested verifications and their SNAP benefits were discontinued within the last 30 days.
Community Food Resources
United Way 2-1-1
Call any time to find food pantries, shelters and other help for residents.
Use their chat functionality to get questions answered online.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank Community Resource Center
A “one-stop shop” for community members where they can find food assistance and a variety of resources, like housing, employment, and healthcare.
Learn more about the available resources.
More Food Pantries
Find a list of Cuyahoga County food pantries and hot meal sites.
Food Resource Flyer
Food Resources in Cuyahoga County
Contains information about United Way’s 211 and a QR code on this webpage.
Changes to Work Requirements and Exemptions
This section provides clear, easy to understand information about the HR 1 changes and how they may affect customer benefits, eligibility, or interactions with SNAP.
Work Requirements
- Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care
- Adults - Aged 60 – 64
- Veterans
- Unhoused
- Assistance group with child over 14-year-old
Work Requirements Exemptions
Press Releases
Donation Opportunities
Community Partners