Food assistance helps families stretch their food budgets to buy healthy food. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to increase nutritional levels and safeguard the health and well-being of Franklin County residents.

SNAP benefits are distributed on an “Ohio Direction Card,” which can be used like a debit card at the grocery store.

Healthy people under 60 also participate in Food Assistance Employment and Training (FAET) while receiving food assistance to help them gain work experience and move toward self-sufficiency.

Ultimately, Food Assistance helps families meet their basic needs while adults work toward financial stability.

Food Assistance is known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

Eligibility for SNAP food assistance is complex – based on family size, income 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. Some households may qualify if they have incomes over the limit if someone in the household is elderly or disabled. To get a better idea of if you may qualify, use the USDA’s food assistance calculator, review our Frequently Asked Questions or submit an application. 

If you receive food assistance through SNAP and are impacted by a disaster, such as a fire, flooding or power outage of at least 4 hours that results in food loss or spoilage, you can be issued Replacement Benefits. Learn more. 

The federal government temporarily expanded eligibility for college students to qualify for food assistance through the end of the federal Public Health Emergency, which comes to an end May 11, 2023.  Learn more.

Interim Reporting Requirements

The State of Ohio requires all active SNAP recipients to complete an Interim Report halfway through their certification period to confirm they are still eligible for SNAP. That means if your Assistance Group or household is certified to receive SNAP for 12 months, your Interim Report will be due in the 6th month. If you are certified for 24 months, your Interim Report will be due the 12th month. 

Interim Reports are mandatory and failure to complete your report or return it timely can result in termination of SNAP benefits for the entire household or Assistance Group. Click HERE for details about Interim Reporting requirements and directions for completing your Interim Report. 

Online Purchasing

SNAP Online Food Purchasing Now Available in Ohio
Ohioans who are eligible for SNAP can now use their Ohio Direction cards to purchase food online through Walmart and Amazon. After receiving federal approval, ODJFS successfully tested online purchasing with Walmart and Amazon and those retailers will now allow online purchasing with EBT cards. (NOTE: Individuals may choose to have groceries delivered, but federal rules still prohibit using SNAP benefits to pay for any delivery charges.)

• Walmart — All Ohio locations

- Order online or by mobile app (IOS) (Android)

- Add your EBT card to your account

- Select your EBT Card on the Select Payment Method screen

For step-by-step instructions on how to add your EBT card or to place an order using your EBT card, click HERE.

• Amazon

- Click HERE to register your EBT card & follow the instructions

Several retailers still allow SNAP recipients to use their EBT card option for online ordering, including Walmart, Kroger and Giant Eagle. SNAP recipients are able to order their food online and pick up curbside or in store. Those retailers providing this service include:

• Walmart — All Ohio locations

- Order online or by mobile app (IOS) (Android)

- Select “EBT Card” as payment option

- Pay using EBT Card at pickup

 • Kroger — Select Ohio locations

- Order online or by mobile app (IOS) (Android)

- Select “SNAP EBT at Pickup” as payment option

- Pay using EBT Card at pickup

• Giant Eagle — All Ohio locations

- Must have a curbside order that exceeds $35

- Call your local Giant Eagle location regarding EBT Card payment

 For more information about the Food Assistance Non-Discrimination Statement, click here.

• And Justice For All SNAP poster