Food Assistance - SNAP

The Food Assistance Program − formerly called food stamps and known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) − helps eligible low-income Ohioans stretch their food budgets and buy healthy food. Food assistance benefits are distributed electronically through the Ohio Direction Card, which is similar to a debit card.

 

Quick Links:

Immediate Assistance

First Call 2-1-1 provides information and referrals for social service agencies, government offices, support groups, churches, clubs, organizations, and cultural and recreational institutions located in Richland and surrounding counties.

Simply dial 211 or 419-522-4636.

Do I Qualify?

Eligibility for food assistance is complex – based on family size, income, current assets and expenses – but both families and individuals may be eligible to receive food assistance.

You may qualify for benefits if your household’s gross monthly income is at or under 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

 

What Verifications Are Needed?

  • Identification - (Driver’s License or State ID)
  • Identity Verification – Applicant as well as Authorized Representatives – (Birth Certificate, Baptismal Record, Hospital Record)
  • Proof of Citizenship, or Legal Alien Status – only required for applicant listed as non-cit(BC, BR, Passport, Cert. of Naturalization)
  • Social Security Number - SS Card
  • Residency - Lease Agreement, rent receipt, postmarked letter
  • Independent Living Arrangement (Not in jail, county home, public institutions)
  • Proof of All Income - (employment, child support, disability, unemployment, etc.)
  • Proof of Disability - (if applicable)
  • Additional verification may be requested or required

A list of acceptable verification documents can be found here.

Work Activity Requirements:

Once an individual is approved for food assistance benefits, the individual must meet a work requirement to continue to receive the benefits. A work required adult or Able-Bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD) is someone who is 18 years old but not yet 50 years old and is not pregnant or parenting. There are several different ways to meet the work requirement.

  • Employment
  • Approved work experience activity

Ohio Direction Card

Once families have been approved for food assistance, the Ohio Direction Card (also known as the Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT card) is issued and sent to the individual or family’s address. It can be used at most grocery stores across Richland County.

How Does the Card Work?

The card looks similar to and works like a credit or debit card. 

When users make eligible grocery purchases, they simply swipe the card through a reader at the register; the amount is deducted from the total monthly benefit amount.

Learn More

To find out more information about the Ohio Direction Card, to check your account balance, review your transaction history, report that you are moving, or report a lost or stolen card call, 1-866-386-3071 or visit The Ohio Direction Card website.

USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Non-discrimination Notice

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail:
    USDA Food and Nutrition Service,
    1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
    Alexandria, VA 22314; or
  2. Email:
    FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov


This institution is an equal opportunity provider.