While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Ohio Food Stamps FAQ Sheet

Food Stamps / SNAP

Table of Contents

What Are Food Stamps?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.

SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.

What Can Food Stamps Buy?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:

  • Fruits and vegetables;
  • Meat, poultry, and fish;
  • Dairy products;
  • Breads and cereals;
  • Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
  • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.

How Much Assistance Does SNAP Provide?

SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.

To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.

People in HouseholdMaximum Monthly Allotment
1$292
2$536
3$768
4$975
5$1,158
6$1,390
7$1,536
8$1,756
Each additional person+$220

You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.

Requirements to Qualify for SNAP in Ohio

To qualify for SNAP in Ohio, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a United States citizen or legal resident
  • You must be a resident of Ohio
  • You must have a household income and resources that do not exceed the limits set by Ohio and the federal government
  • You must work or participate in an employment training program, if applicable

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Ohio

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Ohio Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

  2. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.  

  3. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, by mail, by fax or in person. 

Another in-person application option is to visit your local Ohio Benefit Bank for assistance filling out your application and submitting it. You can find local Benefit Banks in your area here.

If you need to obtain an application in a different language, click here.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied in person and provided all the necessary information and documentation, you will receive a determination the day you apply.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

If you applied for SNAP online, by phone, by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Welfare with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.

If you applied in person at a local Division of Welfare office, you will receive your determination and EBT card on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation.

If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Health and Welfare needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 386-3071. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Ohio Department of Health and Welfare, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.

When you are denied benefits, you will receive a State Hearing Request Form along with your denial letter.

To file an appeal by mail you will need to submit the State Hearing Request Form to the following address:
ODJFS Bureau of State Hearings
P.O. Box 182825
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2825

To file an appeal by fax you will need to fill out the hearing request and send it to 1 (614) 728-9574.

If you wish to request a hearing by phone, you can call the state's consumer assistance line at 1 (866) 635-3748. Just be sure to have your denial letter and hearing request on hand for reference.

To file an appeal by email, send your request to bsh@jfs.ohio.gov with the subject line “State Hearing Request” Be sure to have your denial letter and hearing request on hand for reference.

To file a hearing request online, click here.

If you are filing online, by phone or by email, remember to have the following information on hand:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal, whether you were denied benefits or you received a lower benefit amount than you believe you should have
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Job and Family Services should remedy the situation

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 386-3071. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Ohio’s EBT customer service number at 1 (866) 386-3071.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Job and Family Services office in Ohio.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services at 1 (614) 466-4815.

If you are out of state and have any questions for the department in Ohio, you can email them at out_of_state_inquiries@jfs.ohio.gov.

Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: June 2025

Table of Contents

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Ohio

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Ohio Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

  2. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.  

  3. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, by mail, by fax or in person. 

Another in-person application option is to visit your local Ohio Benefit Bank for assistance filling out your application and submitting it. You can find local Benefit Banks in your area here.

If you need to obtain an application in a different language, click here.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied in person and provided all the necessary information and documentation, you will receive a determination the day you apply.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

If you applied for SNAP online, by phone, by mail or by fax, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Welfare with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.

If you applied in person at a local Division of Welfare office, you will receive your determination and EBT card on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation.

If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Health and Welfare needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to wait for your determination and EBT card to come in the mail.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 386-3071. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Ohio Department of Health and Welfare, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.

When you are denied benefits, you will receive a State Hearing Request Form along with your denial letter.

To file an appeal by mail you will need to submit the State Hearing Request Form to the following address:
ODJFS Bureau of State Hearings
P.O. Box 182825
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2825

To file an appeal by fax you will need to fill out the hearing request and send it to 1 (614) 728-9574.

If you wish to request a hearing by phone, you can call the state's consumer assistance line at 1 (866) 635-3748. Just be sure to have your denial letter and hearing request on hand for reference.

To file an appeal by email, send your request to bsh@jfs.ohio.gov with the subject line “State Hearing Request” Be sure to have your denial letter and hearing request on hand for reference.

To file a hearing request online, click here.

If you are filing online, by phone or by email, remember to have the following information on hand:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal, whether you were denied benefits or you received a lower benefit amount than you believe you should have
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Job and Family Services should remedy the situation

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 386-3071. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Ohio’s EBT customer service number at 1 (866) 386-3071.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Job and Family Services office in Ohio.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services at 1 (614) 466-4815.

If you are out of state and have any questions for the department in Ohio, you can email them at out_of_state_inquiries@jfs.ohio.gov.

Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: June 2025

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