Special SNAP Services in Ohio

Ohio provides special SNAP services for residents facing emergencies or unique circumstances. These programs offer expedited benefits, disaster relief, food replacement, and incentives for purchasing fresh produce.

Expedited SNAP (Emergency Food Assistance)

Ohio offers expedited processing for households with minimal resources, ensuring they do not wait a full month for food assistance. County offices can issue benefits within 24 hours or seven days, depending on the urgency.

You may be eligible if your gross monthly income is under $150 and assets are below $100. Eligibility also extends to households whose combined income and cash are less than their housing and utility costs.

Migrant or seasonal farmworkers with under $100 in assets also qualify. To apply, use the Ohio Benefits portal, call 1-844-640-OHIO, or visit a county JFS office. Be sure to answer the expedited-service questions for quick approval. More details are available about Emergency Food Assistance.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

D-SNAP provides temporary food aid when a federally declared disaster, like a tornado or flood, disrupts income or destroys food supplies. It supplements or replaces regular SNAP benefits for affected households during their recovery period.

This assistance is only available after federal and state authorities announce D-SNAP for specific counties. To qualify, you must demonstrate disaster-related losses, such as income interruption, home damage, or spoiled food.

Applications must be submitted in person or by phone during the official D-SNAP window. You will need to provide identification and proof of residency and expenses. Check for updates on the Ohio Disaster Nutrition Assistance page.

SNAP Replacement Benefits For Lost Food

If a power outage or similar household misfortune spoils food purchased with SNAP, Ohio can issue replacement benefits. This policy protects households from losing the value of meals they have already bought with their benefits.

In some cases, the state may approve a mass replacement for entire areas affected by a widespread event. To be eligible, you must already receive SNAP and live in a county covered by an approved waiver.

You can also qualify by reporting an individual food loss within ten days. To apply, submit form JFS 07222 or follow local instructions. Current waivers are posted on the Ohio Disaster Nutrition Assistance page.

Produce Perks $1-for-$1 SNAP Match

Produce Perks doubles the value of SNAP benefits at participating Ohio farmers markets and some grocery stores. This program helps families afford more fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting local growers.

Any Ohioan with an Ohio Direction (EBT) card is eligible, and no extra paperwork is required to participate. Simply swipe your EBT card at a market’s information booth or a participating store's checkout.

You will receive a dollar-for-dollar match in Produce Perks tokens or coupons, up to the location's daily limit. These can be spent on fresh produce. You can find locations and program rules online.

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in Ohio

After your SNAP benefits are approved, you need to know how to use them. This includes what you can buy and where.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, known in Ohio as the Direction Card, is how you receive and use SNAP benefits. This plastic card is reloaded with your food assistance funds each month, replacing the old paper food stamp system.

Using your EBT card is simple and works just like a debit card. At checkout, you swipe the card and enter your private Personal Identification Number (PIN). The cost of eligible food is then deducted from your SNAP account.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

Your Ohio Direction Card can be used to purchase a wide variety of food items for your household. These staples are intended to help you prepare healthy meals at home. Eligible items include:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt

• Breads and cereals

• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household

However, there are specific restrictions on what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits. These items are generally non-essential foods, prepared hot meals, or non-food products. Ineligible items include:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Live animals (exceptions apply for shellfish and some others)

• Foods that are hot at the point of sale

• Non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics

Where Can You Use Your EBT Card?

Your Ohio Direction Card is accepted at most authorized retailers, including major grocery chains, supermarkets, and many corner stores. To confirm if a store accepts EBT, look for the Ohio Direction Card or Quest® logo displayed on the door or at the checkout counter.

Beyond traditional stores, many farmers’ markets across the state also welcome EBT payments. This allows you to use your benefits to purchase fresh, local produce directly from growers, often through a central market booth that processes card transactions.

Ohio also allows you to use your EBT card for online grocery shopping. Approved retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and others participate, letting you order eligible food items for pickup or delivery directly to your home.

Download Benny for Free and Earn Cash Back on EBT

With the Benny app, you can stretch your budget further by earning cash back on everyday purchases. Get money back when you shop for groceries at stores like Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. You can also earn rewards on services you use, including Uber and Lyft.

Download Benny for free. Connect your EBT card and earn cashback as you shop.