Hundreds of Ohio University students may be eligible for food assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but many do not apply.
SNAP is a federal program aimed at addressing food insecurity and ensuring those of all incomes can afford a healthy meal.
SNAP benefits can’t be used for everything. The recommended use of benefits is to buy nutritional items such as fruits, vegetables, bread, meat and dairy, but they can also be used to buy certain snack foods and beverages. SNAP benefits cannot be spent on alcohol, tobacco, pre-made foods, or cleaning and hygiene supplies.
According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 42 million individuals rely on SNAP benefits as of June 2024. Additionally, over 22 million households utilize those benefits as well.
About 3.8 million college students faced food insecurity in 2020, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The same study also found that 3.3 million students were eligible for SNAP benefits, but 67% reported they were not receiving any.
Full-time college students in Ohio can apply for these benefits as long as they meet at least one of the eligibility requirements.
These requirements include working at least 20 hours a week, participating in a work-study program, caring for a child, having a disability or taking part in an on-the-job training program.
Lauren Malone, health and hunger manager for the Southeast Ohio Foodbank, said the SNAP benefits application process is fairly simple if you know what information is and isn’t needed.
“One thing I would tell people who are going to apply is that you don’t have to fill out the entire application,” Malone said. “All you really need, especially if you apply online, is your name, your physical address where you can get mail, and your signature.”
After completing this form, Malone said applicants have to get in contact with Job and Family Servicesto verify their income status. She also said many people who apply don’t know you can make that phone call the same day to speed the process up.
If applicants take these steps, Malone said the whole process shouldn’t take longer than a month, but people don’t always know the most efficient way to do it.
“If I did all of that right now today, it would take no more than 30 days, however, it doesn’t always happen that way,” Malone said. “I would say anywhere between 30 to 45 days total, from filling out the application to getting a card in your hands, is gonna be how long it will take.”
Recently, however, the State of Ohio added another step in the application process that may make it more difficult for some people to receive benefits. People applying for SNAP benefits in Ohio must now make an “OH ID” if they’re applying online and then sign in using that information before they can complete their application.
College students applying for benefits will also have to get a signature from the Office of Financial Aid, Registrar or Dean of Students verifying their enrollment.
Once the application is approved, people will receive an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT card in the mail with their allotted financial benefits. Malone said for an individual applicant, this number can range anywhere from $23 to almost $300, depending on their need.
In Athens, SNAP benefits can be used at most big-name grocery retailers such as Kroger, Walmart and Aldi as well as the Athens County Farmers Market, but these locations are only accessible to students by car or public transportation.
On campus, students can use SNAP benefits to shop at Jefferson Market.
An additional option for students living on campus is Cat’s Cupboard, which is located in Baker Center and available to anyone, according to Catherine Lachman, OU’s basic needs coordinator.
“Another way students can have access to food is through Cat’s Cupboard, which is available to all OHIO students, faculty and staff. There is no requirement to verify income, and all food provided by Cat’s Cupboard is free, so there is no need to use SNAP,” Lachman wrote in an email.
Students do not have to qualify for SNAP benefits, but they do have to schedule a time to shop at Cat’s Cupboard. This service is available by appointment only, and students can receive food twice a month during the school year.
Lachman estimated the Cat’s Cupboard receives 400-500 visits per month from OU students and said this access to food is important to ensuring students perform well academically.
“Food insecurity can have a number of negative effects to students,” Lachman wrote in an email. “Increased stress, sleep disturbances, and a negative impact on physical and mental well-being are also potential concerns for students faced with ongoing food insecurity.”
