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DJFS warns of SNAP funding hit under HR1; commissioners approve contract amendment and personnel moves
Summary
Athens County DJFS told commissioners that federal HR1 will cut SNAP administrative match, risking county staffing and prompting operational changes. The board approved a $400,000 HAPCAP CCMEP amendment and DJFS personnel actions including a promotion and a reassignment.
Jean Demosky, Director of the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, told the Board of Athens County Commissioners on Nov. 25 that federal policy changes planned under HR1 (effective October 2026) will halve the federal administrative match for SNAP from 50% to 25%, creating a projected shortfall in county administrative resources.
Demosky said SNAP serves about 1.4 million Ohioans, with an average monthly benefit of $188 per person and a FY2024 state spend of about $3.2 billion. She warned the board the shift would reduce county administrative match funding by an estimated $47 million statewide and, without state backfill, could force furloughs or layoffs in the first half of 2026. Demosky also contrasted Ohio's FFY2024 Payment Error Rate (~9.01%) with the county's recent improvement (~4.2%) and said staff would prioritize accuracy and timeliness to reduce the PER and protect program integrity.
The board unanimously approved a DJFS contract amendment with Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) for CCMEP services: a total $400,000 value (including an additional $50,000) covering the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, with monthly invoicing. Commissioners Lenny Eliason, Chris Chmiel and Charlie Adkins voted yea on the motion.
The board also approved DJFS personnel actions: promotion of Carmen Mitchell to Social Services Supervisor 1 (Transportation) at $31.50 an hour and reassignment of Derrick Whitlatch to Social Service Aide 2 (Driver) at $21.79 an hour, both effective Nov. 25, 2025. The motions were moved by Charlie Adkins, seconded by Chris Chmiel and carried unanimously.
Demosky described local operational responses intended to shield core programs (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF) from disruptions, including staff redistribution to protect experienced ERS2 caseworker capacity, a commitment to monitor RMS/TANF coding to maximize reimbursement, and a 36-hour workweek memorandum of understanding that requires 45 days' notice to change. She said transportation operations have shown strong reimbursement performance to date and that staff will continue documentation training to ensure compliance.
Next steps: DJFS will continue internal reassignments to protect core casework and monitor state and federal rulemaking for any further changes that could affect county staffing or program operations.
