Request for Cash, Medical and Food Stamp Assistance
Ohio Food Stamp Certification Offices

Ohio Direction Card/EBT

Ohio EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) is the electronic distribution of food stamp benefits.  Benefits are accessed with the Ohio Direction Card.  The Ohio Direction Card is similar to commercial debit and ATM cards.  Most Ohio grocery stores accept the Ohio Direction Card.



Benefits

• Replaces paper food stamps
• Safer and more secure than carrying cash or checks
• Faster payment
• Convenient and easy to use

TEFAP

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a Federal program that helps low-income people, including elderly people,by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.

CSFP

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, new mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, children up to age six, and elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA commodity foods. CSFP is available in a limited area of the state. See CSFP Foodbank/Counties link below for details.

Food Programs Manual

The Food Programs Manual ( 2007 updates ) was developed in compliance with federal program guidelines and regulations. The manual impacts state and local administration of both federal nutrition assistance programs. Local level administration is conducted by an emergency food provider network, consisting of approximately 3,000 agencies; i.e. food banks, food pantries and congregate meal sites throughout the state. The network is required to maintain manuals at all sites.

State Food Programs

Ohio Food Program (OFP) is funded by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services through an annual grant for the purchase and distribution of food products by the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks to eligible households through the Ohio foodbank network. These food items supplement the distribution of food products acquired through TEFAP, private purchase and /or donation. Food items purchased include canned vegetables, applesauce, beef stew, tuna, hot dogs, canned soup, macaroni & cheese, spaghetti sauce and pasta.

The Agriculture Surplus Production Alliance (OASPA) develops a statewide link between farmers, growers and food processors who have nutritious, surplus agricultural products, and the Ohio foodbank network, and strengthens the infrastructure of the emergency food providers through capacity building. Funded by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services through the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, this partnership provides fresh processed Ohio-grown products to eligible persons and supports enhancements to the emergency food provider to improve storage and distribution systems. Fresh products include fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and meat, all Ohio grown!