Ohio mother of 7 finds relief as SNAP benefits return, federal government reopens

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Amber Lock, a mother of seven, said she woke up Thursday morning to a bit of relief in her bank account.

“It’s making a huge difference,” she said. “The money that I was worried about having to put toward food — now I can make sure bills are paid and don’t go late.”

The Locks received partial benefits on Thursday, before a later announcement that Ohio would restore full benefits for the month of November soon.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced Thursday it will take "immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly" but did not give an exact issuance date.

Federal guidance also advised states to issue their full December 2025 issuance files to state electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, vendors.

Amber and her