Food

Food Assistance Program (SNAP) for seniors in Ohio

Ohio calls SNAP the Food Assistance Program. It puts a monthly amount on an Ohio Direction Card to help you buy groceries.

Checked Oct 28, 2026

From the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

If every adult in your home is 60 or older or disabled and no one has job income, approval lasts 36 months.

How to apply in Ohio

Online: ssp.benefits.ohio.gov (official government site)
By phone: 1-866-635-3748
In person: Fill out the 'Request for Cash, Food, and Medical Assistance' form and turn it in to your county job and family services agency. Call 1-866-635-3748 if you need your county agency's address.
Who runs it: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (official government site)

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Who may qualify for Food Assistance Program
Savings limit, household with someone 60+ or disabled, gross income at or under 200% of poverty	No limit Source: Ohio Legislative Service Commission (source 3)
Savings limit if gross income is over 200% of poverty (Oct. 2026 to Sept. 2027)	$4,750 Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (source 5)
Gross income limit for the no-savings-test rule (broad-based categorical eligibility)	200% of the poverty level Source: Ohio Legislative Service Commission (source 3)

Dates and renewals
How long approval lasts, households where every adult is 60+ or disabled and no one has job income	36 months

Where Ohio's rules differ from the federal rules for SNAP for seniors.

Approval lasts 36 months, instead of the usual 12, when every adult in the household is 60 or older or disabled and no one has job income

USDA's State Options Report (data as of October 2024) lists Ohio as running the Elderly Simplified Application Project.

Free help

Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Ohio. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
1-800-686-1578
Ohio Department of Insurance website
Ohio Department of Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
1-800-677-1116
Ohio Department of Aging website

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