Note: Gross income means the money earned before any taxes are taken out.

If you would like to use our food assistance screening tool please click here. Completion of the screening tool does not guarantee payment of any benefits.

Food Assistance is now issued on a debit card called the Ohio Direction Card. Clients cannot use more benefits than they are eligible to receive. When families use the card at the grocery store their purchase is automatically deducted from their monthly benefit.

The Ohio Direction Card can be used at all grocery stores that display the Ohio Direction Card logo at their location. Food as well as seeds and plants to grow food can be purchased with the Ohio Direction Card. To watch a video about how the Ohio Direction Card works click here.

You cannot use your Ohio Direction card to buy:

• Pet food
• Paper products
• Household goods such as cleaning supplies
• Food sold to be heated while you are still in the grocery store
• Alcohol, tobacco, vitamins and medicines

When you apply for Food Assistance you will need to bring some verifications with you to complete the application process. What you need to bring include:

• Photo ID
• Your original Birth Certificate
• Your original Social Security card
• Proof of age and citizenship
• Proof of any income you received in the past 30 days
• Proof of assets, such as bank account statements
• Proof of housing costs and address
• Proof of any child support benefits or if you are paying child support
• Proof of disability (if you claim it)

Note: You have up to 30 days from the date of application to provide these verifications.

For more information on food assistance please call (740) 373-5513 or to speak with a caseworker please stop by our agency on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 7:30am - 10:00am.