Step 1 (optional): Take the pre-screening test here.
Step 2: Apply in one of the following ways:
- Print out an application here.
- Apply through a local agency here.
Step 3: Mail, fax, or deliver your completed application to a family services agency near you. Find the office nearest you here.
For assistance, please call: 1-866-244-0071
Applying For Ohio Food Stamps
Food stamps, or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) as it is currently technically labeled, was set up to help out folks residing in the U.S. that are undergoing difficulties paying for food items because they are making a low income. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also called food stamps) helps out millions of people. In reality, it aided more than 40 million folks in the year 2010.
Lower income households living in the U.S. can try for food stamps benefits whatever their race, sex, religious beliefs, or even background is. Precisely how much a particular person receives in assistance from SNAP depends on a few factors, but in the year 2008, the average person received $101 a month.
Applicant Specifications
There are particular specifications someone must meet to be permitted to collect help from the food stamp program. Particular documents of proof of your eligibility are essential when you apply.
One particular necessity that pertains to many, is that you can’t have any greater than $2,000 in assets if you are below 60 years old. If a person within your home, or you, are more than 60 years old, then the limit is raised up to $3,000. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income), aren’t regarded as assets when you’re applying for food stamps. Resources which will count towards your total assets include cash, money saved in a bank account and sometimes a vehicle.
There’s also an income limit, that relies on the number of people dwelling in your household when that you apply for food stamps.
How much your expenses are will also be taken into account when applying for SNAP benefits. The total you spend for child or elderly care, rent or mortgage and utilities will all be taken into account. Certain medical related expenses may also be considered under certain circumstances.
The Ohio Direction EBT Card
An EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card is supplied to those which are found eligible and pass the application and interview process. In Ohio, the EBT card is called the Ohio Direction EBT Card. The EBT card works the same as a debit card. The EBT card can be utilized to get food items at specific grocery stores, convenience stores, or farmers markets.
Your Ohio Direction Card will be refilled on the date scheduled by your caseworker when you are accepted into the food stamps program. If that date happens to be a holiday or weekend, you will still find that your benefits have become available. One of the wonderful things about food stamps in Ohio is that your food stamps will not expire at the end of the month. Instead, your benefits will roll over into the next month for your use.
Before you can use your Ohio Direction EBT card, you must first establish your card’s pin number. This is the number you will use when buying groceries. To set your pin number, you must call the number located on the back of your Ohio Direction EBT card. The number is toll free and is (866)386-3071. To set your pin number, you must be able to provide your 16 digit EBT card number, social security number and your date of birth. Once you have set your pin number, make sure to keep it private. It is illegal for others to use your EBT card.