SNAP and food help for older adults in Ohio

In short: Ohio calls SNAP Food Assistance. If everyone in your household is 60 or older or disabled and no one has job income, you are approved for 36 months at a time and do not have to send reports in between. Medical costs over $35 a month can raise your benefit. Apply at benefits.ohio.gov or your county Job and Family Services (JFS) office.

Food Assistance for older adults

Food Assistance puts money each month on an Ohio Direction Card (EBT card) that you use at grocery stores.

Special rules if you are 60 or older or disabled

Ohio calls a household where every adult is 60 or older or disabled an elderly or disabled assistance group. If your household has no job income, these rules help you:

Rule What it means for you
36-month approval You stay approved for three years before a full renewal. Most other households get 12 months.
No interim report You do not have to send the six-month report other households send.
Medical cost deduction Out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 a month are subtracted from your income, which can raise your benefit.
No cap on the housing deduction High rent or mortgage and utility costs can all count toward lowering your income.

Children under 18 can be in the household without changing the 36-month rule. If someone in the household who is not 60 or disabled joins, or someone starts working, the shorter rules apply again and you must report every six months.

What to tell the county

  • Medical costs: doctor and hospital bills, prescriptions, Medicare premiums, and other costs you pay yourself. Keep receipts.
  • Housing costs: rent or mortgage, property tax, insurance and utilities.
  • Income: Social Security, SSI, pensions and any other money you get.

How to apply for Food Assistance

  1. Online: benefits.ohio.gov, the Ohio Benefits Self Service Portal. You will make an OHID account to sign in.
  2. On paper: fill out the Request for Cash, Food, and Medical Assistance (JFS 07200) and take or mail it to your county JFS office.
  3. Answer the county's calls and letters. The county will tell you if it needs an interview or more papers.
  4. Renewal: When your approval period ends, you renew with form JFS 07204 (or online or by phone), and the county interviews a household member.

General ODJFS questions: 614-466-6282.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

This program gives older Ohioans money to spend on fresh local food at authorized farmers markets.

  • Who: People 60 and older with income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
  • How much: $50 for the season. You can spend it down to the cent.
  • What you can buy: locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs and raw honey.
  • How it is paid: on the Ohio Homegrown app (show your QR code to the farmer) or on a card. If you lose your card or have no smartphone, your Area Agency on Aging can give you a printed QR code.
  • When: You apply online each spring. In 2026, applications closed May 22 and benefits can be used May 15 through November 30, 2026. Unused money expires after that.
  • You must reapply every year, even if you took part before.
  • Southeast Ohio: If you live in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Noble, Perry or Washington county, contact Buckeye Hills Regional Council instead.

Homegrown benefits support line: (614) 412-1729, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It helps with accounts, passwords and balances. Watch aging.ohio.gov/SFMNP for the next season.

Senior meals

Your Area Agency on Aging can tell you about senior meal programs near you, such as group meals and home-delivered meals. Call 1-866-243-5678 to reach the agency for your area.

After you apply

  • You get a letter with the decision and the amount.
  • Report changes the county asks you to report, such as someone moving in or starting a job.
  • If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for a state hearing within 90 days after the notice was mailed, by phone, in writing or electronically, through your county JFS office or the state.

Things people miss

  • Tell the county about medical costs. Many older adults leave them off and get less.
  • Farmers market money needs a new application each spring. It does not renew on its own.
  • The 36-month rule ends if someone in the house starts a job.

Free help

  • Area Agency on Aging: 1-866-243-5678.
  • Ohio Department of Aging: 1-800-266-4346 (TTY: dial 711, then 614-466-5500).
  • Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov.

See all benefits in Ohio.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Ohio agencies

Check what you may qualify for

Sources

Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18