Food Assistance Questions/Answers

When and Where can I apply
for food assistance?

Review our Quick Assistance page

What do I need to bring with me
(or mail, fax or e-mail in) for my food assistance reapplication interview?

You need to bring a photo ID, past 30 days income verification for all household members who receive income, verification of monthly rent, mortgage, homeowners insurance, property taxes and all utility bills.

NOTE: If you are aged, blind or disabled and receiving food assistance and Medicaid, you will also need to verify all current resource values including checking and savings account balances, life insurance cash values, non-homestead property values, stocks, bonds or any other resources you may have.
When will my food assistance be received? The agency has up to 30 days from the date of your application to process your case. If all verifications are provided at the food assistance intake interview, your food assistance will be approved sooner than if your caseworker has to request further verifications from you to be provided at a later date.

NOTE: If you have zero income (no actual income in the initial application month, or a net of zero income in initial application month), you could be approved for 24 hour food assistance. This means if you have never received food assistance, you will receive a food assistance card (the Ohio Direction Card) mailed to you within 24 hours of your interview date.

What happens if I lose my food assistance card (Ohio Direction Card)?

You will need to call the Ohio Direction Card company directly at 1-866-386-3071 to request that your old card be canceled and a new one be sent to you. Please remember - if you have to request a new card, your card will not be received for at least 7-10 days.

How much food assistance will I receive?

The amount of food assistance you receive is based on your monthly gross income. If your monthly gross income is less than the 130% standard based on your assistance group size, then certain deductions such as how much you pay for rent and utilities factors into how much food assistance you will receive. There is no general answer for how much food assistance you will receive until after your initial interview with a caseworker at our agency. Please see the
income/allotment chart for maximum food assistance and income levels.

How do I check how much food assistance is on my Ohio Direction Card?


You can do this one of two ways. First, you can call the Ohio Direction Card at 1-866-386-3071 and after using your pin number, you can check your balance. Secondly, you can go to the Ohio Direction Card website and set up an online internet account. Then you can check your balance.