SNAP
What is SNAP?
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps low-income adults and families stretch their monthly food budgets and buy healthy food
- SNAP is not designed to feed an adult or family for an entire month. It is designed to supplement the money adults and families already spend on food
- Benefits are issued electronically each month through an Ohio Direction Card, which is used like a debit card
What can I buy with the Ohio Direction Card?
- Most food products
What can I not buy with the Ohio Direction Card?
- Prepared food from restaurants and grocery stores
- Non-food items such as soap, paper products, and cleaning supplies
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- VItamins and medicines
- Pet food
Who is eligible for SNAP?
- Adults, families, and children are potentially eligible for SNAP if the income, residence, and citizenship requirements are met
- To check your potential eligibility for SNAP, visit the ODJFS Benefits website at https://benefits.ohio.gov/
What are the income and eligibility guldelines?
- Eligibility is based on gross monthly income
- Generally, adults and families with gross monthly incomes under 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible to receive some sort of SNAP
- Monthly benefits are determined by comparing an adult or family's gross monthly income to their child care expenses, child support payments, and housing/utility costs
- In certain instances, a medical expense deduction from gross monthly income can be applied to assistance groups with elderly and/or disabled individuals
|
Assistance Group Size |
130% FPL Gross Monthly Income Standard |
|
1 |
$1632 |
|
2 |
$2215 |
|
3 |
$2798 |
|
4 |
$3380 |
|
5 |
$3963 |
|
6 |
$4546 |
|
7 |
$5129 |
|
8 |
$5712 |
|
9 |
$6295 |
|
10 |
$6878 |
|
11 |
$7461 |
|
12 |
$8044 |
Do I have to participate in SNAP Employment and Training Program to receive SNAP?
- Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDS) who do not meet a program exemption must either be employed 20 hours per week or participate in the SNAP Employment and Training Program through LCDJFS in order to receive SNAP.
How do I apply for SNAP?
- Click here for more information
For more information on the SNAP program, please visit the following sites:
- ODJFS Website
- Food Assistance Fact Sheet
- Ohio Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card
- SNAP Program Eligibility Screening Tool
- SNAP E&T (Employment and Training)
For your awareness:
SNAP recipients now have the ability to lock their EBT cards using the EBT Cardholder Portal at www.connectebt.com.
(In order to utilize the Mobile App, SNAP recipients must have registered/created an account on the EBT Cardholder portal). SNAP recipients are encouraged to select the ‘Lock Everywhere’ option when not actively making a purchase. This will reduce the risk for benefits to be fraudulently stolen.
Additionally, SNAP recipients can now sign up for email and text alerts on the Connect EBT Mobile App and the EBT Cardholder Portal at https://www.connectebt.com/
SNAP recipients can choose to receive alerts for new transactions (purchases, returns, deposits, etc.) and if there are changes made to their account (address, PIN, password, etc.). These alerts will help recipients to manage activity on their account.
