The number of Cuyahoga County residents at risk of losing SNAP benefits due to new federal work requirements is thousands less than initially feared – but still significant, leaders say.
Cuyahoga County initially estimated that 21,000 residents would be newly subject to work requirements. That number is still accurate. But when the state’s office of Job and Family Services screened those residents, it found most are already employed or have information in their record showing they’re exempt from the requirements. That means their benefits aren’t at risk.
In December, the state mailed letters to the approximately 5,100 county residents who are at risk of losing their benefits if they don’t meet new work rules. Those rules were laid out in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed by federal Republican legislators last summer. The new rules took effect Feb. 1…