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Marietta council reviews $50,000 short‑term assistance fund to help SNAP recipients and shutdown‑affected residents
Summary
Council member Cheryl Richardson presented a proposed $50,000 assistance program that would provide up to $200 in credit per household as a loan to residents who can show SNAP enrollment or proof they were affected by the recent shutdown.
Council member Cheryl Richardson described a proposed short‑term assistance program intended to keep residents from choosing between food and utilities during a government shutdown. Under the proposal, the city would set aside $50,000 and offer up to $200 per household as a credit structured as a loan; recipients would need to demonstrate either current SNAP benefits or written proof they were affected by the shutdown.
Richardson said the program is intentionally structured as a loan to avoid gratuity concerns and that proof of eligibility (SNAP enrollment or the shutdown letter) would be an easy verification step. She said the $200 figure was chosen after staff reviewed average delinquent bills and related patterns.
The work session discussion introduced the program concept and asked staff to include the item on the regular meeting agenda; council did not adopt a final ordinance or formal policy at the work session. Next procedural steps are for staff to return a final program design and proposed implementation language at a subsequent meeting where council may vote on establishing the fund and program rules.
