Food Assistance, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides supplemental income to families that need extra assistance with their monthly grocery costs.  Food Assistance is issued via an Ohio Direction Card allowing recipients to purchase food items at participating retailers. 

This card acts like a debit card allowing food assistance to be used throughout the month as needed. Food Assistance will pay for all food items but will not pay for other supplies such as paper towels, cleaners, etc.  The amount of food assistance a household receives is based on their household's income and monthly expenses going out. 

Food Assistance will fluctuate when a household's situation changes, such as loss of employment or an increase in monthly rent.  Financial guidelines apply.

If you have problems with your food assistance card or need to report the card as lost or stolen, you must call the Customer Service Hotline at:

1-866-386-3071

How to Apply

Step 1:  Submit an application
You can submit your application in the following ways: Online at:  www.odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov
By phone by calling

937-498-4981

option 3, option 3 and a paper application will be mailed to you. In person by visiting the agency to obtain an application to complete:

Shelby County Job & Family Services
227 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH  45365

After completing a paper application, you may return the application in person, by mail, or by fax:

(937) 498-7396

Step 2:  Gather Verification Documents
As part of the application, you will need to submit a number of verification documents.  The specific documents are listed in the application, but in general we will need to verify:

• Who is in the household
• All household income,  and
• Basic information such as identity, Social Security Number(s) and Birth Verifications

Step 3:  The Interview
Once you have submitted your application for cash or food assistance, a caseworker will meet with you to complete your interview. If you are unable to stay for an interview, you will be given an appointment to call into the agency to complete a phone interview.  You may call into the agency at:

(937) 498-4981

option 3, option 1
Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 10:30 am

If you are employed, you may also call into the agency on Tuesdays, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Step 4:  Return any Additional Verifications
At the end of your interview, the eligibility worker will send you a checklist of any additional verification documents we need to complete your case.  You may return the documents to our front desk staff, fax verifications to:

937-498-7396

or by mail to:

Shelby County Job & Family Services
227 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH  45365