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Butler County warns SNAP recipients benefits secure only through October; state guidance needed if shutdown or work‑requirements change
Summary
Butler County Administrator Paul Boyko told the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for more than 18,000 county residents are funded through October but could be disrupted if a federal shutdown extends beyond 30 days or if state guidance changes following the federal reconciliation bill.
Butler County Administrator Paul Boyko told the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for “over 18,000” county residents are funded through October but could face disruption if a federal government shutdown extends beyond 30 days or if the state issues implementing guidance for new federal work requirements.
Boyko said the county’s Job and Family Services (JFS) office is coordinating with state officials and preparing contingency procedures. “October benefits are still good,” he said, and added that if a shutdown extends past 30 days “the county JFS will need to receive guidance from the state.”
The nut of the issue is implementation: the federal reconciliation bill does not immediately cut SNAP benefits, Boyko said, but includes expanded work requirements that would primarily affect recipients ages 18 to 54. Those federal provisions must be sent to the state for guidance and then implemented locally by Butler County JFS. “There are no guidelines yet to implement the federal reconciliation bill,” Boyko said. “JFS Director Glendon and . . . our human and social services director Julie Gilbert are getting as much information or lobbying the state as much as they can.”
Boyko also reminded the commissioners of the county’s experience during the last federal shutdown, when federal guidance and short-term measures were used after a 34‑day shutdown to reduce harm to benefit recipients. He said the county will draw on those previously used practices if similar guidance is issued.
Commissioners and staff discussed local budget resilience. Commissioners noted that the county’s reserves and carryover balances are intended to maintain operations if external funding is delayed or reduced. Boyko said staff are also reviewing other federal revenues and grants that support county functions in case awards or distributions are affected.
On a separate but related state-level matter, Boyko briefed the commissioners on a property tax reform task force Governor Mike DeWine established. The task force issued a report on Sept. 30 containing a range of recommendations, including proposals related to levy replacement rules, a possible sunset for the so-called 20‑mill floor, and expansion of a property tax deferral for qualifying seniors. Boyko stressed the report contains recommendations only: any change would require legislation from the Ohio General Assembly.
What happens next: Butler County JFS is preparing communications and potential work‑placement supports for affected recipients if the state issues implementing guidelines. Commissioners were offered the opportunity to draft a policy-position letter to state lawmakers summarizing local priorities on property tax reforms and program protections; Boyko offered to compile commissioners’ input and circulate the task force executive summary.
Ending: County staff said they will return to the board with updates after receiving formal guidance from the state and will continue monitoring federal budget and reconciliation developments.
