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HAMILTON — Giving people food stamps who have thousands of dollars in the bank and expensive homes drains the fund for the truly needy, Butler County commissioners said Thursday, March 19.

And they want it to stop.

Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Thursday asking the state to change the rules, which take into account income, not assets, when determining food-stamp eligibility.

This was an "unintended consequence," of a change in state rules in October, said Bruce Jewett, director of Butler County Job and Family Services.

That change streamlined the process by automatically making people eligible for food stamps if they receive other benefits, such as unemployment, and have a low enough household income. This waived a "resource test" that took into account someone's assets, such as bank account and investments, when determining eligibility.

Jewett said an informal survey found roughly 50 Butler County residents are receiving food stamps because of this change without being given a resource test.

"There were perhaps 15 of those 50 that were people that seemed to have significant savings or other things that would normally raise an eyebrow," Jewett said. "There was one case that someone had mentioned where they seemed to have around $50,000 in the bank."

"(This) is jeopardizing those people who really need to receive those food stamps" said Commissioner Gregory Jolivette.

The issue came to light in Warren County this week when commissioners there railed against an area family receiving $500 in food stamps because the mother was unemployed despite having assets of more than $400,000, including $80,000 in the bank.

Since then, state Rep. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro, and state Sen. Bob Schuler, R-Sycamore Township, have pledged to write legislation requiring assets to be taken into account before someone receives food stamps.

Schuler is drafting a bill that would disqualify someone for food stamps if he or she has more than $2,000 in personal assets, not including their home or vehicle.

"This is a clear abuse of a program that is intended to be a safety net for Ohioans most in need," Schuler said. "Many Ohioans have lost their jobs, but seeking government assistance should be a last resort and certainly not available to those who can support themselves."

Number of people collecting food stamps and amount spent from January 2008 to January 2009

Month Number of people Amount paid

January 27,850 $3,043,549.21

February 26,848 $2,897,858.00

March 27,684 $3,033,723.00

April 27,704 $3,033,760.00

May 28,087 $3,055,750.00

June 28,359 $3,118,058.00

July 30,900 $3,102,859.46

August 31,261 $3,118,446.00

September 31,607 $4,242,767.00

October 32,558 $3,772,707.00

November 32,975 $3,776,392.00

December 33,667 $3,836,566.00

January 34,247 $3,917,080.00

Source: Butler County Job and Family Services