In Ohio, due to the ongoing public health emergency, supplemental food assistance benefits will be distributed to those who qualify through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). All current SNAP households will receive the maximum allowable benefit for their household size. This emergency allotment will aid in providing additional support and nutritious food options to Ohioans facing the challenges brought on by the pandemic. The extra benefits will be automatically loaded onto recipients’ EBT cards and can be used to purchase groceries from authorized retailers. This temporary increase in food assistance is a vital step in ensuring that Ohio’s families have access to enough food during these difficult times.
Ohio’s Emergency Allotment Program
The Emergency Allotment Program is a federal program that provides additional food assistance to households that are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program was created in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has been extended several times. In Ohio, the Emergency Allotment Program is providing an additional $36 per month per person in SNAP benefits. This increase will be in effect from February 2023 through at least September 2023.
Benefits
- Additional $36 per month per person in SNAP benefits
- Benefits will be distributed on the regular SNAP issuance date
- No need to apply or recertify for SNAP to receive the additional benefits
The Emergency Allotment Program is a vital resource for Ohioans who are struggling to make ends meet. These additional benefits can help families purchase the food they need to stay healthy and nourished.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Emergency Allotment Program, households must:
- Be eligible for SNAP
- Live in Ohio
If you are not sure if you are eligible for SNAP, you can apply online or contact your local Job and Family Services office.
How to Apply
There is no need to apply or recertify for SNAP to receive the additional Emergency Allotment Program benefits. If you are already receiving SNAP benefits, you will automatically receive the additional benefits on your regular issuance date.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the Emergency Allotment Program, you can contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at 1-800-686-1517.
Additional Resources
| Household Size | Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $256 |
| 2 | $512 |
| 3 | $768 |
| 4 | $1,024 |
| 5 | $1,280 |
| 6 | $1,536 |
| 7 | $1,792 |
| 8 | $2,048 |
SNAP Benefit Emergency Increase
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides food assistance to low- and no-income individuals and families. The program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
SNAP Benefit Emergency Increase in Ohio
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA has authorized all states to provide emergency allotments (EAs) to SNAP households. EAs are temporary increases in SNAP benefits that are intended to help families meet their food needs during a crisis. In Ohio, EAs were first authorized in March 2020 and have been extended several times since then. The latest extension of EAs is through September 2023.
The amount of the EA that a SNAP household receives is based on the household’s size and income. The maximum EA amount for a household of one person is $250 per month. The maximum EA amount for a household of two people is $400 per month. The maximum EA amount for a household of three people is $550 per month. The maximum EA amount for a household of four people is $700 per month. The maximum EA amount for a household of five people is $850 per month. The maximum EA amount for a household of six people is $1,000 per month. The maximum EA amount for a household of seven people is $1,150 per month. The maximum EA amount for a household of eight people is $1,300 per month.
SNAP households in Ohio do not need to take any action to receive their EA benefits. The EAs will be automatically added to the household’s SNAP benefits card each month.
How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Ohio
To apply for SNAP benefits in Ohio, you can:
- Apply online at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) website.
- Call the ODJFS customer service line at 800-686-1556.
- Visit your local county Job and Family Services office.
You will need to provide the following information when you apply for SNAP benefits:
- Your Social Security number.
- Your income information.
- Your asset information.
- Your household information.
If you are approved for SNAP benefits, you will receive a SNAP benefits card that can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
SNAP Benefit Emergency Increase Table
| Household Size | Maximum EA Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $400 |
| 3 | $550 |
| 4 | $700 |
| 5 | $850 |
| 6 | $1,000 |
| 7 | $1,150 |
| 8 | $1,300 |
Note: The EA amounts listed in the table are the maximum amounts that a household can receive. The actual amount of the EA that a household receives will be based on the household’s size and income.
Ohio’s Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) Program
The Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program provides electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to families of children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the P-EBT program was expanded to provide benefits to all children who are enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program, regardless of their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.
Ohio’s Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for P-EBT benefits in Ohio, your child must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program.
- Attend a school building less than 5 days a week.
Income limits do not apply to the P-EBT program.
Benefits Provided
The amount of P-EBT benefits that a family receives is based on the number of children in the family and the number of days that the children attended school in person. The maximum benefit amount is $375 per child per month.
| Number of children in family | Benefit amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $375 |
| 2 | $750 |
| 3 | $1,125 |
| 4 | $1,500 |
How to Apply
Families do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits. Eligible families will automatically receive a P-EBT card in the mail. If you have not received your card by the end of the month, you can contact your local school district for more information.
Using P-EBT Benefits
P-EBT benefits can be used to purchase food at any authorized retailer that accept SNAP benefits. You can use your P-EBT card to buy food online or at farmers markets, as well.
Other Resources
For more information about the P-EBT program in Ohio, please visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website or call the Ohio P-EBT hotline at 1-866-644-6432.
Ohio Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Ohio TANF offers financial assistance to eligible low-income families with children. It provides temporary financial assistance to families in need and helps families achieve self-sufficiency. TANF benefits include:
- Monthly cash assistance
- Employment and training programs
- Child care assistance
- Transportation assistance
- Housing assistance
To be eligible for TANF, families must meet certain income and asset limits. The amount of assistance families receive depends on their income, family size, and other factors.
Ohio TANF is a federally funded program, but it is administered by the state of Ohio. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is responsible for overseeing the program.
| Income Limit | Asset Limit | Family Size |
|---|---|---|
| $2,000 per month | $2,000 | 1 |
| $2,500 per month | $3,000 | 2 |
| $3,000 per month | $4,000 | 3 |
| $3,500 per month | $5,000 | 4 |
Families who are eligible for TANF can apply for benefits online or by contacting their local ODJFS office.
Additional Resources
Thanks for taking the time to read this article about Ohio’s food stamp program. As you can see, right now, we don’t have any information about extra food stamps being given out this month. However, we’ll be sure to keep you updated if anything changes. In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on food stamps and other government assistance programs. We’ve got everything you need to know about how to apply, what benefits you can get, and how to make the most of your food stamp benefits. Thanks again for reading, and we hope you’ll visit us again soon.