Because of the partial federal government shutdown that concluded January 25, Ohio SNAP households will receive 50 percent of March benefit February 22 and the remainder on their assigned March issuance date. The USDA previously instructed states to make February SNAP benefits available to recipients by January 20, since it was unknown during the shutdown whether funds would be available in February. In Ohio, February SNAP benefits were issued January 16. Because of the early February issuance, Ohio plans to provide half of families’ March benefit amounts this month and the rest in March. Ohio expects to return to the standard cycle of benefits issuance in April, barring another shutdown. For the release, go to: http://jfs.ohio.gov/RELEASES/pdf/021319-SNAP-Recipients-Will-Receive-March-Benefits.stm.