Ohio Dollar General removes boards from windows after worries of loss of SNAP benefits

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Dollar General store on South High Street in downtown Columbus has removed boards that it put up as central Ohioans prepare to lose food assistance.

With approximately 180,000 central Ohioans slated to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the store initially boarded up its windows as a measure of safety. As of 5:15 p.m., the boards were removed.

The South High Street location, near the intersection of West Town Street, is open, according to employees at the store.  Though they could not elaborate further, employees confirmed that the windows were initially boarded up as a measure to prevent looting once the government shutdown of SNAP benefits took effect on Nov. 1.

All windows are now completely uncovered at the store.

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) benefits will remain unchanged. But ODJFS has not issued any further guidance or said whether the state will pay out SNAP benefits once the government shutdown begins.

Those seeking additional assistance can reach out to a local food pantry like the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

For all SNAP beneficiaries in any state, EBT cards will still work in November. Any unused benefits from prior months will roll over, and the balance will still be accessible after Nov. 1.

SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program, is funded by the federal government but administered by states. The USDA’s shutdown contingency plan allows the agency to tap into reserve funding to keep SNAP operating if the federal government remains shut for longer than a month. However, the Trump administration said it would not do that.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.