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Sandusky County
Department of Job & Family Services
2511 Countryside Drive * Fremont, Ohio 43420
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| Food Assistance |
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| ***If you need emergency food assistance, please come into the agency. We
may be able to issue Food Assistance Program benefits for you that day or give you a food pantry
referral.*** |
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The Food Assistance Program helps people with low incomes obtain nutritious food.
Food assistance program benefits are issued by USDA through county job and family services departments
and are used to purchase specific staples and grocery items at participating
grocery stores. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability and political beliefs." Eligibility, determined by Sandusky County DJFS, is based on
federal guidelines including income, resources and household size. More than
600,000 Ohioans receive benefits from the food assistance program. Household size is the number of people in the
household who purchase and prepare meals together. Income is usually based on the
most recent average monthly income. Resources are bank accounts, stocks, bonds, etc.
Some people may be required to participate in our JOBS program in order to receive
food assistance program benefits. While some may meet exemptions, and not be required to work. To find
out more contact Sandusky County DJFS. |
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Who can get food assistance program benefits?
Households whose gross monthly income is within 130% of the federal poverty level,
whose monthly income after all allowable expenses(net adjusted income) is within 100% of
the poverty level, and whose resources(cash, savings, stocks, etc.) do not exceed $2000($3000
if a person is at least 60 years old) may qualify for benefits. These income and resource
limits do not apply if everyone in the household receives income from Supplemental Security
Income(SSI), Ohio Works First(OWF), or Disability Financial Assistance(DFA).
What are allowable expenses?
Allowable expenses are: medical expenses for individuals 60 years of age or older or
who are considered disabled; dependent care costs; legally obligated child support;
shelter costs(rent, mortgage, property taxes, gas, electric).
What needs to be verified?
At the time of application some items such as income and expenses will require verification.
If the household has little or no income and resources, the household may be eligible to receive benefits
the day they come in for their face-to-face interview. Normal processing requires that
benefits be issued or the application denied within 30 days after the date the
application is filed.
How often is your situation reviewed?
Depending on your household's situation, you will have a review(recertification)
of your eligibility for food assistance program benefits at least once every 6 months or more often
if your household is experiencing a lot of changes. If the household
only receives Social Security, their case needs to be reviewed at least once a year.
What can be bought with food assistance program benefits?
Food assistance program benefits can be used to buy food or food products intended for human
consumption except alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and hot food and or hot food products
prepared to be eaten immediately. You can not: sell or trade food assistance program benefits;
buy non-food items; use food assistance program benefits to buy food for someone who is not
a member of the household.
Food Assistance program benefits cannot be used to buy:
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and cigarettes, vitamins and medicines.
- Pet foods.
- Paper products.
- Household supplies.
- Any other non-food items.
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Direction Card
Food assistance program benefits are dispersed through the Direction Card
system. Information is enclosed in the plastic
card resembling a credit card. At the grocery store check-out counter, the customer
enters a pin number and scans the card, the amount purchased is deducted
electronically from the individual's or family's total monthly allotment
of food assistance program benefits. Direction Card Info
.pdf |
If your card does not work at the store or you get an error message you do not understand,
call the Customer Service Helpline: 1-866-386-3071. This number is available 7 days a week,
24 hours a day. If you are referred to Sandusky County DJFS to have the problem resolved, our
agency's hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on holidays).
***Note: This is only basic information. An accurate determination of eligibility for
food assistance program requires an application to be filed and an interview to be conducted
regarding each household's specific situation.***
Local Area Food Pantry Information:
| Sandusky County Emergency Food Pantry |
| 128 1/2 S. Granville Blvd. |
| Fremont, OH 43420 |
| Phone (419)334-8158 |
| Hours: 1pm-3:30pm Mon-Fri(Closed Holidays) |
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| Clyde Food Pantry |
| 803 W. McPherson Highway |
| Clyde, OH 43410 |
| Phone (419)547-9555 |
| Hours: 9a.m. - 12p.m. on Tuesdays |
| 6p.m. - 8p.m. on Thursdays |
| 12p.m. - 3p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month |
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| Gibsonburg Food Pantry |
| 116 South Main Street |
| Gibsonburg, OH 43431 |
| Hours: 6:30 pm - 7:30pm on Monday thru Thursday |
Must be a resident of the Gibsonburg School District.
Must have a referral from clergy or human services.
Only allowed 6 visits per year. |
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| Bellevue Fish and Loaves |
| 203 Maple St. |
| Bellevue, OH 44811 |
| Phone (419)484-2814 |
| Hours: 2p.m. - 4:30p.m. on Wednesdays |
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