Ohioans’ food stamp aid to be reduced

Benefit to fall $50 a month starting in January

 By Kate Giammarise, Blade Staff Writer

Ohio families receiving food stamps could get an unwelcome surprise come January: $50 less every month in assistance.  For the 869,000 households enrolled in the program for the poorest Ohioans, that could amount to about $520 million annually out of the grocery budgets.  Because of the way the federal government calculates utility expenses for people receiving the benefit, a mild winter nationwide last year, and a lower price for natural gas, many families could experience a significant cut in aid, those familiar with the program say.  Recipients should get a letter from the state Department of Job and Family Services this month explaining the change, said Ben Johnson, a spokesman for the agency.  To Read More.....