![]() The Benefits Access Partnership is a collaborative effort between Community Solutions, the Cuyahoga County Department of Job and Family Services (CJFS), the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (Food Bank), and the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (Legal Aid) to improve access to public benefits in Cuyahoga County, with a focus on SNAP. The Center for Community Solutions (Community Solutions) and its advocacy partners are hopeful that ODJFS will incorporate these recommendations in its re-procurement process for Ohio’s EBT system in the near future. This paper presents a case study on efforts by Ohio advocates in 2020 to respond to identified problems with EBT’s customer service, some of which pre-dated the pandemic, to ensure that ODJFS makes responsiveness to SNAP recipients’ needs a top priority for EBT vendors serving the state. However, the pandemic also revealed weaknesses in some aspects of state-EBT systems, especially customer service. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the strength of SNAP’s EBT systems to respond quickly to changing circumstances, including a sudden spike in need, ensuring eligible families continued to have access to food assistance benefits. Ohio is expected to begin a new procurement process for an EBT vendor this year. ![]() Ohio’s current EBT vendor is Conduent, which took over the state’s EBT contract from JPMorgan Chase in 2014. EBT customer service, such as EBT hotline and online portal managementīecause of the complexity of states’ EBT systems and their interconnectedness to retail payment systems, all states contract with private-sector vendors to manage most or all of these responsibilities under the direction of the state’s SNAP agency.EBT transaction monitoring and fraud detection.The EBT system is complex and includes many components, such as: EBT technology is widely considered responsible for SNAP’s impressive track record on delivery efficiency and payment integrity. ![]() The EBT system replaced paper coupons (called “food stamps”) in Ohio in 1999 and is the responsibility of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). In Ohio, SNAP’s EBT card is also called the Ohio Direction card. Families eligible for food assistance through these programs receive food-only funds on a debit-like card, called an EBT card, to purchase groceries at any participating food retailer. You can also call customer service at 1-80, however, they may be experiencing higher call volumes, so please be patient. Please do not check your balance at the grocery store where cashiers may be very busy.Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is the nationwide payment system used for two major food assistance programs – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT). You can download it in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. The ConnectEBT app is free and available in English and Spanish. You will need to verify your identity when you set up your account. The same username and password is used for both and can be set up either on the website or on the app. You can check your benefits, change your pin, report a lost, stolen or damaged card and see your transaction history quickly and securely online at on the ConnectEBT app. The minimum monthly SNAP benefit in New Jersey is now $95. The temporary supplemental emergency benefits provided during the pandemic will no longer be included. ![]() Starting March 2023, SNAP recipients will only receive their regular monthly benefit amount. Temporary Emergency Supplemental Food Assistance Benefits You will receive a Notice of Expiration letter in the mail from your local board of social services with your interview date or asking you to call and schedule an interview. During the pandemic, these recertifications were paused and your benefits were extended. To continue receiving SNAP benefits, your case must be reviewed periodically. The New Jersey Department of Human Services has issued several new updates regarding SNAP benefits. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) - Formerly Food Stamps
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