In accordance with section 106.03 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), each state agency is required to review each of its rules in the Ohio Administrative Code a minimum of once every five years. The intent of the review is to ensure that Administrative Code rules are clearly written and that program requirements are accurate, up-to-date based on regulations from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal and Nutrition Services (FNS) and clearly expressed. To the extent possible, unnecessary paperwork will be eliminated, local agencies will be given increased flexibility, and any adverse impact on businesses will be eliminated or reduced. As a result of the review, the agency may amend the rule; rescind the rule; or continue the rule without amendment.

This rule has been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The changes will become effective on 10/01/2020.

Chapter 5000

5101:4-5-03 "Food assistance: establishing certification periods."

The rule describes how to establish certification periods for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.  Changes to this rule include: 

• Language was stricken from paragraph (C) and rewritten in paragraph (E) for clarity when an assistance group has unstable circumstances; and
• Minor language changes were made for clarity.