In April 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) increased benefits to recipients in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nationwide. The U.S. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) allocated a portion of $146 million to State agencies for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2010. These funds are to be used for costs associated with carrying out the change in benefits required by the ARRA and for administering SNAP. In accordance with the intent of the ARRA, funds must be spent expeditiously and effectively, with full transparency and accountability.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is implementing the federal guidance regarding the disbursement and use of funds subsidized by the ARRA. These funds will be used to supplement current allotments for Ohio's Food Assistance Program, reimbursing the county department of job and family services (CDJFS) for administrative costs associated with ensuring compliance with SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. The ARRA grant is made up of 100% federal funds and there is no matching requirement. The supplemental funding is available for food assistance in accordance with Food Assistance Program requirements. The CFDA number is 10.561.

ODJFS applied the allocation methodology currently used to allocate the TANF allocation, minus the nine percent cap provision to distribute the ARRA SNAP grant received by Ohio. This methodology is detailed in Ohio Administrative Code rule 5101:9-6-08.

To utilize the FFY 10 Food Assistance Stimulus funding, the CDJFS will perform a Post Allocated Adjustment (PAA) moving expenditures from the Federal Food Stamp and IM allocations to the Federal Food Assistance Stimulus FFY 10 grant, restoring the state or local match portion of the transaction. The stimulus money may be used for expenditures incurred from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

Funds provided must be expended in accordance with all applicable federal statutes, regulations, policies, and guidance, including those of the ARRA and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

Continuous monitoring will be conducted to ensure all financial and program provisions are being met. Written communication regarding this monitoring will be sent to the monitored party and to the program and fiscal offices of ODJFS. This communication will be used to offer technical assistance and require corrective action as needed.

For additional questions please contact your ODJFS Fiscal Supervisor or call the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance at (614) 752-9194.