ATTENTION:

Ohio has been approved for emergency Food Assistance allotments for January to bring all Assistance Groups up to the maximum allowable amount for the household size.  The emergency allotments should be able to be accessed beginning January 23, 2021.

PEBT Info

PEBT Flier August-September Final (002).

Click here for more PEBT Info

Food Assistance (SNAP)

Food Assistance helps families stretch their food budgets to buy healthy food. The program is designed to increase nutritional levels and safeguard the health and well-being of Wayne County residents. Benefits are distributed on a “Ohio Direction Card” which can be used like a debit card at the grocery store.

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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 Resources

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 across Wayne County. How does the card work? 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 food prepared to eat immediately, such as food at restaurants. Learn More 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 website.



Meeting 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 50,
  • Able-bodied,
  • Not pregnant, and
  • 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 the State minimum wage.



Program Enrollment and Benefit Information

For complete information about cash, food and medical assistance, you may want to review the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Program Enrollment and Benefit Information booklet. The booklet may help you determine:

  • What types of services ODJFS offers
  • Frequently asked questions about applying
  • The difference between various Medicaid programs and services
  • Your rights and responsibilities
  • Information about state hearings
  • Penalties for providing false information or committing fraud
  • How we use social security numbers
  • Information about citizenship and immigration status
  • Your civil rights
  • And other helpful resources
Learn More



Non-Discrimination Statement

USDA Conducted Programs All other FNS Nutrition Assistance Programs HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT If you believe you have been delayed or denied services because of your race, color, religion, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation or national origin, you may file a complaint within 180 days of the incident or treatment. For questions about how to file a complaint, call the ODJFS Bureau of Civil Rights, toll-free, at 1-866-227-6353. For more information, review the civil rights section of the ODJFS Program Enrollment and Benefit Information document.



State Hearings

If you disagree with any action on your case or if you believe WCDJFS has not taken an action it should have, you may request a hearing by phoning the ODJFS Consumer Access Line at 1-866-635-3748, emailing your request to BSH@jfs.ohio.gov or contact Wayne County directly at 330-287-5800. To find out more about state hearings, please review the state hearing section of the ODJFS Program Enrollment and Benefit Information document.



Voter Registration

Did you know that Wayne county Job and Family services is a Designated agency for the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)? That means we have all the information you need if you decide you want to register to vote or need to update any information with the voter’s bureau. Click here to find out more information.