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 Food 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.

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) has completed a review of the following rule and the rule has been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The changes will become effective on 3/1/2023.

Chapter 4000

5101:4-4-39 "Food assistance: allotment computation."

This rule describes how to determine the monthly benefit allotment amount. Proposed changes to the rule include: 

• Edits were made to paragraph (C) to emphasize that only eligible one-person and two-person assistance groups are eligible to receive the minimum benefit allotment as defined in rule 5101:4-1-03 of the Administrative Code; and
• Repetitive language was stricken from paragraph (D) that states when the assistance group’s income exceeds the net income standard, the application is to be denied.