The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps program helps low-income households by supplementing their monthly food budget. If you live in the state of Ohio and are applying for SNAP, it is important to know how much in benefits you qualify for. In this post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to calculate how much you will get in Ohio food stamps.
In this article, we will cover:
- What is Ohio SNAP?
- How much will I get in Ohio Food Stamps?
- Ohio Food Stamps FAQs
How much will I get in Ohio Food Stamps?
To determine how much you will receive in Ohio SNAP benefits, you have to follow three steps:
- Determine your Gross Income
- Calculate Your Net Income
- Determine your Monthly SNAP Allotment
Step 1 – Determine your Gross Income
The first step in the process is to figure out your gross income.
The gross income for your household is the total income earned before taxes have been taken out.
If you are applying for Ohio food stamp benefits, you must determine your gross monthly income to see if you qualify.
Once you know your gross income, use the chart below to see if your income is eligible for Ohio SNAP.
Here’s how to read the chart:
- Start by finding your household size on the chart.
- Once you have located your household size, look in the next column at the maximum gross income for your household size.
- If the maximum allowable gross income is higher than your total gross income, you may be eligible for Ohio food stamp benefits.
- When the maximum allowable gross income is lower than your total gross income, you may not be eligible for Ohio food stamp benefits.
| Ohio SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income (165% of FPL) for households with an Elderly or Disabled Member |
| 1 | $1,133 | $1,473 | $1,869 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $1,984 | $2,518 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $2,495 | $3,167 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $3,007 | $3,816 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $3,518 | $4,465 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $4,029 | $5,114 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $4,541 | $5,763 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $5,052 | $6,412 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $394 | $512 | $649 |
Step 2 – Calculate your Net Monthly Income
Once you have successfully found your gross monthly income, you will need to calculate your net monthly income.
For help on how to calculate your net monthly income for the Ohio food stamps income limit, keep reading below.
How to Calculate Your Net Income
Net income for the Ohio Food Stamps Income Limits is your household’s total gross monthly income minus any allowable expenses.
All allowable expenses should be subtracted from your gross monthly income. To find out what all of the allowable deductions are, continue reading below.
Deductions Allowed for Net Income in 2022
To calculate your net monthly income, you must deduct approved household expenses.
Here are the expenses that can be deducted from your household’s gross income:
| Earned Income | 20% of gross earnings |
| Standard | |
| Household Size | Deduction Amount |
| 1 – 3 | $193 |
| 4 | $193 |
| 5 | $225 |
| 6 or more | $226 |
| Medical | Allowable medical expenses incurred by elderly or disabled household members in excess of $35 per household |
| Dependent Care | Payments for the care of a child or other incapacitated adult which are necessary for a household member to work, look for work, or attend school or training |
| Child Support | Allowable for payments of legally obligated child support |
| Shelter | Allowable shelter costs (rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance on the structure, and utility expenses) in excess of 50% of household income remaining after all other deductions |
| For households with an elderly or disabled member, there is no limit on the shelter deduction; for all other households, the shelter deduction cannot exceed $624. |
Calculating Net Income with Allowable Deductions
Now that you know what the allowable deductions are, the next step in arriving at your net income is to subtract all applicable deductions.
Subtract any Allowable Deductions
After you have determined which allowable deductions apply to your household, subtract those (in order) from your total gross monthly income.
Doing this will give you the total net monthly income for your household.
If you need additional help doing this, use the example below:
| Net Income Calculation | Example for a 4-person household |
|---|---|
| Subtract 20% earned income deduction… | $2,050 gross income $1,500 earned income x 20% = $300. $2,050 – $300 = $1,750 |
| Subtract standard deduction… | $1,750 – $178 standard deduction for a 4-person household = $1,572 |
| Subtract dependent care deduction… | $1,572 – $362 dependent care = $1,210 |
| Subtract child support deduction… | $0 |
| Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled… | $0 |
| Excess shelter deduction… | See below |
| Determine half of adjusted income… | $1,210 adjusted income/2 = $605 |
| Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income… | $700 total shelter – $605 (half of income) = $95 excess shelter cost |
| Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income… | $1,210 – $95 = $1,115 net monthly income |
| Apply the net income test… | Since $1,115 is less than $2,146 allowed for 4-person household, this household has met the income test. |
Determine if your Net Monthly Income is Eligible
Now that you have your net monthly income, you can see if your income is eligible for Ohio SNAP.
Use the chart and follow the steps below to determine your eligibility.
- Start by finding your household size on the chart.
- Once you have located your household size, look in the last column at the maximum net income for your household size.
- If the allowable net income is higher than your total net income, you may be eligible for Ohio food stamp benefits.
- If the allowable net income is lower than your total net income, you may not be eligible for Ohio food stamp benefits.
| Household Size | Net monthly Income Limit |
| 1 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $3,886 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $394 |
If you have determined that your gross and net income are eligible for food assistance benefits and would like to know how much you can expect to receive, continue below.
Ohio Food Stamps Calculator – How Much in Food Stamps will I get?
Once you determine you qualify for food stamps, you probably want to know how much in benefits your household will get on a monthly basis. See the chart below for details. You will find that the maximum benefits you can get is based on the number of people in your household.
| Ohio SNAP Maximum Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2023 | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $211 |
Note: The allotments described here are for households in Ohio.
Check out the example for a SNAP benefit calculation below:
| Benefit Calculation | Example |
|---|---|
| Multiply net income by 30%… (Roundup) | $1,115 net monthly income x 0.3 = 334.5 (round up to $335) |
| Subtract 30% of net income from the maximum allotment for the household size… | $939 maximum allotment for 4-person household – $335 (30% of net income) = $604, SNAP Allotment for a full month |
Ohio Food Stamps FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about applying for Ohio food stamps:
How do I apply for Ohio SNAP?
Here are the three ways you can apply for Ohio food stamps:
Option 1: Online – Ohio Benefits Website
The first option is to apply online using the Ohio Benefits online portal. You can access the Ohio Benefits website by visiting benefits.ohio.gov.
If this is your first time using Ohio Benefits website, you will first have to create an online account.
Setting up an Ohio Benefits online account is quick, easy, and should only take a few minutes.
Once you have created your account, you can apply for OH food stamps online by submitting your SNAP Application.
Option 2: In-Person at Ohio JFS Office
You can also apply for benefits in person at your local county Ohio JFS office location.
Click here to find an Ohio Food Stamp Office near you.
Option 3: Mail or Fax
The last option is to download a paper Ohio Food Stamp Application and mail or fax it in.
To complete a paper Ohio SNAP Application, click here to download Ohio Food Stamps Application.
Once completed, mail the application to your local county Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
To get the mailing address for the Ohio JFS Office near you, use our Ohio SNAP Office Location finder.
In addition, you can hand-deliver your completed Ohio SNAP Application to your local JFS office or fax it.
To locate the proper fax number for your county assistance office, click here.
What documentation do I need when I apply for Ohio SNAP?
When you apply for Ohio food stamps you may be required to provide the following documentation:
- Who is in the household
- Your original Birth Certificate
- Your original Social Security card
Proof of the following: - Age and citizenship
- Any income you receive
- Assets, such as bank account statements
- Housing costs and address
- Any child support benefits
- Disability (if you claim it)
Please write your name and case number or social security number on all verification documents submitted to the JFS.
How long before the SNAP benefits Office makes its decision?
The food stamp office must make a decision on your application within 30 days of the date you submit it.
They will usually issue SNAP benefits going back to the date of your application.
However, if you or someone in your household causes a delay, your application can be held open another 30 days.
In this case, you will not get back benefits. If you delay completing the application for more than 60 days, your application can be denied.
Is an Interview required for Ohio Food Stamps Application?
Yes, as part of the SNAP application process, you may be required to complete an interview.
However, an interview is not required for all applicants. Your caseworker will be able to inform you whether you will be required to attend an interview.
For SNAP and Cash Assistance applications, once you have submitted your application, you will receive a letter in the mail providing you with a date and time to call in and complete a telephone interview with a caseworker.
That appointment will generally be within two weeks of the submission of your application.
Interviews generally take about 30 to 45 minutes.
During the interview, the caseworker will review your documents and verify your eligibility for SNAP.
Additionally, your caseworker will be able to answer any questions you may have about the application process.
Ohio Food Stamps Calculator Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
Ohio SNAP helps limited-income individuals and families buy the food they need in order to stay healthy.
How much you will receive depends on how many people are in your household and the net monthly income of your household.
To be eligible for Ohio food stamps, a household’s income and resources must meet three tests.
These are Gross Income, Net Income, and Assets Test.
There are three ways you can apply for Ohio SNAP benefits: Online, In Person, and By Phone.
Questions?
We hope this post on “How much will I get in Ohio Food Stamps” was helpful.
If you have further questions about Ohio SNAP or EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Ohio SNAP and Ohio EBT, including: