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1. Who can get food stamp benefits?

A person may qualify for benefits if the household’s gross monthly income is within 130% of the federal poverty guidelines and within 100% of the poverty level after all allowable expenses (net adjusted income), and if the person’s resources such as cash, savings, stocks, etc., do not exceed $2,000 ($3,000 if a person is at least 60 years old or disabled). The income and resource limits do not apply if each person in the household receives income from any of the following programs:
- Ohio Works First (OWF)
- Ohio’s Disability Financial Assistance (DFA)
- Ohio’s Disability Medical Assistance (DMA) Program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Resources of an SSI or OWF household member are excluded. The income and resource limits do not apply if at least 1 person in the household is authorized to receive or receiving benefits or services from the Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) Program.

2. Who cannot get food stamp benefits?

Some individuals will be ineligible for food stamp benefits. For example, able-bodied adults without dependent children who are not employed or who are not participating in a work program will be ineligible for benefits after receiving 3 months of benefits in any 3-year period, unless the individual is residing in a county that is currently waived from this work requirement or the individual becomes employed or participates in a work program. Individuals who are required to work but have failed to comply with the work program are ineligible.

3. What are allowable expenses?

Allowable expenses include medical expenses for individuals 60 years of age or older; or who are considered disabled; dependent care expenses; legally-obligated child support; and shelter costs such as rent, mortgage, property taxes, gas and electric.

4. What needs to be verified?

Items such as income and expenses will require verification at the time of application. Normal processing requires that benefits be issued or the application denied within 30 days after the date the application is filed. But if the household has little or no income and resources, the household may be eligible to receive benefits right away even if all of the information can not be verified quickly. However, identification is required at the time of application.

5. How often is your situation reviewed?

Depending on the household’s situation, a review (re-certification) of continued eligibility for food stamp benefits is generally required every 6 to 12 months. Reviews will occur more often if the household is experiencing a lot of changes or has earned income. Elderly and disabled households with no earned income will have a review of their eligibility once every 24 months.

6. What can be bought with food stamp benefits?

Food stamp benefits can be used to buy most food or food products intended for human consumption. Read more...