Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP INFO
Apply for SNAP
Mail/In Person:
Fairfield County Job and Family Services
239 West Main Street
Lancaster, Ohio 43130

Fax: (740) 689-4848
Emergency Food Assistance
Fairfield County 2-1-1
Community Action
​What is Food Assistance (SNAP)?
  • SNAP is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program helps families stretch their food budgets to buy healthy food. It is designed to increase nutritional levels and safeguard the health and well-being of Fairfield County residents.  Benefits are distributed on a “Ohio Direction Card” which can be used like a debit card at the grocery store.
  • Healthy people under 60 can also participate in Food Assistance Employment and Training (FAET) while receiving food assistance to help them gain work experience and move toward self-sufficiency.
  • Ultimately, food assistance helps families meet their basic needs while adults work toward financial stability.
  • Food Assistance (formerly known as the food stamp program) is known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
  • SNAP is a supplemental program. Depending on individual SNAP budgets, an assistance group may receive SNAP benefits to be used along with their income to purchase food.
What is the Ohio Direction card?
  • Once families have been approved for food assistance, the Ohio Direction Card (also known as the Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT card) is issued and sent to the individual or family’s address. It can be used at most grocery stores in the area.
  • The card looks similar to and works like a credit or debit card. It can be used in most any food store checkout line. Check with the grocery store you go to most frequently and ask how your card will work.
  • When users make eligible grocery purchases, they simply swipe the card through a reader at the register; the amount is deducted from the total monthly benefit amount. Remember that “eligible purchases” means food or food products but excludes alcohol, tobacco and hot food prepared to eat immediately, such as food at restaurants and hot food from grocery stores.
  • To find out more information about the Ohio Direction Card, to check your account balance, review your transaction history, report that you are moving, or report a lost or stolen card call, 1-866-386-3071 or visit The Ohio Direction Card.
  • There has been a recent increase in skimming, which is the electronic theft of SNAP benefits. In order to protect yourself, consider downloading the ConnectEBT app and locking your card when it is not in use. We may not always be able to replace solen benefits, so locking your card is the best step to protect your benefits!
What is the status of my case or application?
  • The Ohio Benefits online portal provides an easy way to check the status of your application or case for food, cash and medical assistance. You can also complete an interim report or reapplication and view case information.
  • To Benefits.Ohio.gov  - Self-Service Portal check the status of your food, cash and medical assistance application, or view case information.
  • You can also check the status of your benefits and/or request text alert notifications through the Shared Services hotline at 1-844-640-6440.
How do I meet the work requirement?
  • Once a family or individual is approved for food assistance, adults of the family who are considered Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) must meet the work requirement in order to continue to receive food assistance.
  • An ABAWD is any individual who is:
  • At least 18 years old, but not yet 55
  • Able-bodied
  • Not pregnant
  • Not in an assistance group with a minor child
  • There are several different ways to meet the work requirement.
  • Work 20 hours per week.
  • Participate 20 hours per week in a job search program (for a maximum of three months).
  • Participate in a work experience program. The number of hours you must complete is the amount you are receiving in food assistance, divided by minimum wage.
  • Participate in unpaid volunteer or in-kind work for somebody you know and provide verification to the agency
  • ABAWDs who choose not to volunteer for their hours can only receive a total of 3 months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month (3 year) period. The only way to regain eligibility once discontinued is to work a verifiable 80 hours in the most recent 30 days.
How can I get emergency food assistance (food basket or box)?
  • Fairfield County 211:
    Can assist with providing a referral for an emergency food order. They can be contacted by dialing 211 or (740) 687-0500 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Community Action:
    Once a month a customer may request a food box by calling (740) 653-4146 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Could I be eligible for the Food Assistance Program?​
household levels
  • The gross income guidelines for SNAP assistance can vary from household to household. Please note that most households will be subject to the 130% OR the 200% Federal Poverty Line (FPL) guidelines. For questions about eligibility requirements for your own family or personal circumstances, please ask the caseworker during your intake interview or call 1-844-640-6446.
  • Eligibility for food assistance is complex – based on family size, income and expenses – but both families and individuals may be eligible to receive food assistance.
How do I apply?
  • You can call 1-844-640-6446 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.) to complete an application over the phone
  • Complete and submit the following application:
    print the application and submit to the agency or apply online
  • In person at our agency during regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
  • By mailing a completed application: FCJFS 239 W. Main St. Lancaster, OH 43130
  • By dropping a completed application in the agency drop box located in the front of our building, open 24 hours.
  • By faxing a completed application to 740-689-4848.
What verifications are needed?
  • Identification (Drivers License or State ID)
  • Proof of citizenship or noncitizen-ship status
  • Social Security Card
  • Proof of all income (employment, child support, disability, unemployment, etc.)
  • Proof of housing (rent/mortgage) costs
  • Proof of utility costs
  • Proof of medical costs if age 60 or older, or if disabled
  • Proof of disability (if applicable)
  • Additional verification may be requested or required
What happens after I submit my application?
  • You will receive a letter in the mail directing you to call us at a specified time. Please call at your specified appointment time.
  • You can also now call 1-844-640-6446 during and outside normal business hours to receive a current benefit summary and to check the status of your case. You can also sign up for text message notifications regarding your benefits.
  • The county will process documents in the order received and it can take up to 30 days to make a determination of your case. If you need food while your documents are in order to be processed, please dial 211 from your phone and ask about a food box.
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
  • Mail:
    Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
    1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
    Alexandria, VA 22314; or

  • Fax: 
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

  • Email:
    FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation.
    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

Submit a Reapplication or Interim Report

​REAPPLICATION

Once you receive your appointment letter with your scheduled interview for SNAP/Cash benefits,
don't forget to call in at the date and time on the letter at 1-844-640-6446.
SNAP/Cash Lines are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.


INTERIM REPORT

You will receive your interim report in the mail to complete and return, or you can submit the interim report online or print a copy.

 

You can submit the JFS 07204 form and verification documents in the following ways:


GATHER YOUR VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS

As part of your reapplication, you may be required to verify some of your information, particularly if you have had a change in circumstances since your last application. The caseworker will help you identify the specific documents needed, but in general we will need to verify:


The last 30 days of your income (two bi-weekly, or four weekly pay checks)

  • If there is additional household members or fewer household members
  • If your employment has changed (lost or new job)
  • You must re-verify your shelter costs (mortgage, rent and utilities) at EVERY application or reapplication
  • Please write your name and case number or social security number on all verification documents.

THE INTERVIEW

You will receive an appointment letter in the mail with a date and time of your phone interview. Most reapplication interviews are completed over the phone. The caseworker will ask you some questions and will identify the specific verification documents that are needed to continue your case.


RETURN ANY ADDITIONAL VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS

The sooner you return the verification documents, the sooner your case can be completed.

Return those verification documents to us with your name and case number or social security number on ALL documents by
FAX 740-689-4848, deliver in person at 239 W. Main St., Lancaster OH 43130, or through the mail.
Or email CASE23@jfs.ohio.gov