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Ohio EBT Card Balance: How to Check Ohio Direction Card Balance

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is responsible for implementing the SNAP, also known as the Food Stamp Program.

SNAP helps low-income households to purchase healthy food through the delivery of monthly food aid benefits. Benefits are provided via a plastic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to Ohio SNAP users.

About Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)

The Job & Family Services Department of Ohio (JFS)) oversees the Ohio Food Stamps program. This involves evaluating and authorizing new applications, renewals, and preventing assistance system misconduct.

If you are eligible to receive Ohio food assistance, your benefits will be automatically deposited on an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card.

The Ohio EBT Card is identical to a business debit or ATM card, also known as the Ohio Route Card. You can make accepted purchases with your EBT Card at authorized retail locations. Moreover, most grocery stores in Ohio embrace the Ohio Card of Course.

Definition of Terms/Acronyms

  • What’s the Ohio Direction Card? The Ohio Direction Card is Ohio’s EBT card.
  • EBT = electronic benefits transfer.
  • EBT card = a card that looks and works like a debit or credit card but is loaded with food stamps and/or cash benefits. You can use it at stores that accept EBT.
  • You’ll get the Ohio Direction Card once you’re approved for benefits. Ohio’s EBT customer service number is 1-866-386-3071.

How Does the Card Work?

The card is identical in design and acts as a credit or debit card. It can be used in almost any checkout line in grocery stores. Visit the most commonly visited grocery store, and ask how your card would work.

As consumers make qualifying grocery transactions, they simply swipe the card at the register via a reader; the balance will be deducted from the overall monthly profit.

Note that “worthy transactions” include food or food items but exclude alcohol, cigarettes, and food ready for immediate consumption, such as food in restaurants.

Ohio EBT Payment Schedule

The Ohio EBT Card (also known as the Ohio Direction Card) holds the food assistance benefits assigned to you each month. Your benefits will be deposited onto your EBT card according to the schedule below:

If your Case Number ends inBenefits are deposited on the
02nd of the month
14th of the month
26th of the month
38th of the month
410th of the month
512th of the month
614th of the month
716th of the month
818th of the month
920th of the month

All cardholders can call the Ohio Direction Card customer service number 6 days prior to the first of each month to find out when their benefits will become available.

Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Ohio EBT card to purchase eligible food items.

List of Stores That Take EBT Online for Delivery

As you may know, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) has introduced a pilot program (Online Buying Pilot) to encourage selected grocery stores to begin accepting electronic EBT cards for grocery shopping, including delivery to your doorway.

The grocery stores listed below are currently approved for the pilot which will give EBT cardholders the opportunity to buy food online for delivery.

  • Amazon
  • Dash’s Market
  • FreshDirect
  • Hart’s Local Grocers
  • Hy-Vee, Inc.
  • Safeway
  • ShopRite
  • Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  • Wright’s Markets, Inc

How to Check Ohio EBT Card Balance

Here’s how to check the balance on your Ohio Direction Card.

Option 1 – Check your Last Receipt

The first way to check your balance on your Ohio Path Card is to check your last receipt. It is the simplest and cheapest way to put your current balance on your OhioEBT Card.

Your balance will be displayed at the bottom of your most recent grocery store or receipt from an ATM. You can get used to having your most recent EBT receipt, so before you shop, you still have a fast way to test your balance.

Option 2 – Login to your Connect EBT Account

The second choice to test the balance on the Ohio Direction Card is available online through the Connect EBT website.

To sign in, go to the Connect EBT page, then enter your User ID and Password here. You will be able to access your current balance and transaction history once you’ve signed in. If you don’t have an EBT card Link, you can build a user account here.

Option 3 – Check by Phone

The last way to check the balance on your Ohio EBT Card is by phone. Call the card back with the EBT Customer Service number (1-866-386-3071). Hotline customer support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Input your sixteen (16)-digit EBT card number after you call, and you will hear about your new food assistance or cash account balance(s).

Ohio EBT Frequently Asked Questions

Each month you are eligible for food benefits, and your benefits will be added to your Ohio Direction Card account. This happens automatically, much like a bank account.

The benefits in your food account will be deposited automatically to your account and are available on your scheduled date each month.

If you do not use all or any of your food benefits by the end of the month they will stay in your account and you can use them the next month. As you use your benefits, the balance will go down.

You can call the toll-free number (1-866-386-3071) on the back of your Ohio Direction Card anytime to find out your balance.

Your food benefits are available on your Ohio Direction Card on your scheduled date each month. You will need to check with your county office to find out which day you receive your benefits.

If the day you receive your benefits for any month falls on a weekend or holiday, your benefits are still available on that day.

Yes, you can use your Ohio EBT Card to shop online with your food stamp benefits. You can purchase eligible grocery items online for pick-up and pay with your EBT Card in person.

You can’t use your food assistance benefits to buy food without your Ohio Direction Card and PIN.

If your Ohio Direction Card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call customer service at 1-866-386-3071 immediately to report it.

As a result, your old card will be locked and a new card will be mailed to you. Once you call, you will not be able to use your EBT account.

It may take 7-10 days for you to get a new Ohio Direction Card in the mail. Once you receive your card, you can use it immediately.

For information on items that you are allowed to purchase with EBT food benefits, click here. Cash aid may be used to purchase anything that can be legally purchased with currency (cash).

Conclusion

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