Senate Passes Schaffer Bill Securing SNAP Benefits

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 315, sponsored by State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) and State Senator Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), which would secure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by replacing all electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards with chip-enabled cards.

“Between June of 2023 to December of 2024, $17 million in SNAP benefits was stolen from needy Ohioans,” Schaffer said. “By implementing security chips on new SNAP EBT cards and replacing existing cards with this upgraded technology, we can secure the benefits many families rely on and protect them from fraud and theft.”

SB 315 requires the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) provide chip enabled cards for all new and replacement EBT cards used to provide benefits for SNAP, allocating $3 million to support the transition. 

Senate Bill 315 now goes to the Ohio House for further consideration.

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