COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has received approval to extend the recertification eligibility period from March, April and May by another six months due to the coronavirus epidemic.
ODJFS stated it has also received approval for families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to get the maximum benefit possible for March and April.
Families can apply for SNAP benefits if the household’s gross income each month is at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines, according to ODJFS.
You can apply for SNAP benefits, here. Families on SNAP can use their benefits to purchase food products. Some items, such as alcohol, vitamins, medications and hot food that has to be eaten immediately such as prepared meals at restaurants and grocery stores are not eligible.
Additionally, ODJFS has announced a program called “Click and Collect” that will allow families to order groceries online and pick them at the store without leaving the vehicle. Stores using wireless point-of-sale machines will be able to scan a customer’s EBT card right there. Customers also have the option of ordering their groceries online and going into the store to pick them off if the store they are shopping at doesn't have wireless POS devices.
“This is a welcome development in these challenging times,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall. “It will help keep families safe as we all work together to limit social distancing and stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
More information about the above programs can be found, here.
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