Food Assistance – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP helps eligible individuals and families buy food.
Approved benefits are added to an Ohio Direction Card, which can be used at participating retailers to purchase eligible food items. The amount a household receives is based on program rules and information such as household size, income and allowable expenses.
Income Guidelines
You may qualify for SNAP if your household’s gross monthly income (the total monthly countable earned and unearned income) is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. These guidelines change yearly; you can find the current figures linked below. Households that are categorically eligible or contain an elderly or disabled person have certain eligibility factors waived and may be allowed up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines in countable monthly income.
SNAP Replacement Benefits
Lost Food Due to an Unexpected Power Outage or Disaster?
If you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and lose food due to an unexpected power outage, fire, flood, or another qualifying disaster, you may be eligible for replacement benefits.
Replacement benefits help eligible households replace food purchased with SNAP benefits that was destroyed or spoiled due to circumstances beyond their control. If approved, benefits are added directly to your Ohio Direction Card.
Important: Food loss must be reported within 10 days of the incident.
Who May Be Eligible?
You may qualify for replacement benefits if:
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Your household received SNAP benefits during the month the food loss occurred.
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Food purchased with SNAP benefits was destroyed or spoiled due to an unexpected power outage lasting four hours or longer, or another qualifying disaster.
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You report the loss to Summit County DJFS within 10 days of the incident.
Please Note: Scheduled or planned power outages, including those announced in advance by utility providers, do not qualify for SNAP replacement benefits.
How Much Can I Receive?
Eligible households may receive replacement benefits equal to the value of the SNAP-purchased food lost, up to the amount of one month's regular SNAP allotment.
How to Request Replacement Benefits
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Step 1: Report the Food Loss - Call 844-640-6446 within 10 days of the incident to report your food loss.
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Step 2: Complete the Required Form - Complete the JFS 07222 – Statement Requesting Replacement of SNAP Benefits. The signed form must be received within 10 days after you report the loss.
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Step 3: Provide Supporting Information - Summit County DJFS must verify that the qualifying incident occurred. Supporting information may include utility outage notifications, screenshots of outage maps, local news reports, or other documentation confirming the incident.
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Step 4: Submit Your Request - Completed forms and supporting documents can be submitted through one of the following methods:
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Email: SummitE-Docs@jfs.ohio.gov
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Fax: 866-351-8292
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In Person: 1180 S. Main Street, Akron, OH 44301
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Mail: Summit County DJFS, 1180 S. Main Street, Suite 102, Akron, OH 44301
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply online through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal or call 844-640-6446. You may also get application assistance at the Summit County Job and Family Services office.
What happens after I apply?
You may need to complete an interview and provide documents verifying information such as household members, income, expenses or other circumstances. Read all notices carefully and submit requested information by the listed deadline. Missing an interview or deadline may delay your application or affect your eligibility.
How do I submit documents or report a change?
Use the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal to manage your case and upload documents. You can also email your documents SummitE-Docs@jfs.ohio.gov. Physical documents can be placed in the drop boxes located outside of the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services (1180 South Main Street) or sent vis USPS.
Include identifying information requested by the agency, keep proof of submission and follow the instructions in your notice.
How is my benefit amount decided?
Benefit amounts are calculated under each program’s rules. The agency may consider household size, income, allowable expenses and other circumstances. Your official eligibility notice will explain the decision made for your case.
How do I know whether I may qualify?
Review the current income guidelines for general information. Income is not always the only eligibility factor, so the best way to receive an official determination is to apply.
- Apply for SNAP Start a new application for benefits, including Food, Cash, Early Childhood Services, or Medical Assistance.
- Ohio Cash Assistance - Ohio Works First (OWF) Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of the state's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.
SNAP benefits are added to an Ohio Direction Card. The card works like an electronic benefit card at participating retailers and can be used to purchase eligible food items.
Call Ohio Direction Card Customer Service at 866-386-3071 or visit their website at: https://www.connectebt.com/ebtconnect/recipient/OH/. Protect your personal identification number, or PIN, and review your transactions regularly. Report a lost or stolen card as soon as possible.
Some SNAP recipients must meet work requirements to continue receiving benefits. Exemptions may apply based on age, disability, pregnancy, caregiving responsibilities, employment and other circumstances. Because work requirements and waivers may change, review the current SNAP work-requirement information or contact Summit County Job and Family Services.
SNAP Employment and Training may help eligible participants build skills, prepare for work and meet certain work requirements.
Download the ConnectEBT app to get transactions alerts and lock your card when not using it and learn more about multiple ways to protect your card (PDF).
- Protect Your EBT Benefits (Cash & Food) - PDF, 179.9k
- ConnectEBT App for Apple The fast, secure and easy way to monitor your EBT available balance, deposits, transaction activity, and select or change your PIN
- ConnectEBT App on Google Play The fast, secure and easy way to monitor your EBT available balance, deposits, transaction activity, and select or change your PIN
Photo Credit: Little girl filling grocery cart with food - Photo by David Veksler on Unsplash. Photo Credit: White Man Working on Power Line - Photo by Anton Dmitriev on Unsplash.