Ohio EBT Customer Service Hours — Complete Practical Guide

Overview of Ohio EBT customer service availability

Ohio EBT (the “Ohio Direction Card”) provides two distinct layers of customer support: the card/transaction helpline (for lost cards, PIN resets, balance checks and merchant disputes) and the county Job & Family Services (JFS) offices (for case management, SNAP eligibility, benefit issuance and appeals). Card-level support is designed to be accessible outside typical business hours because card problems can prevent household access to food and cash; county offices operate on a regular business schedule to handle case-level work that requires staff review and documentation.

In practice this means most cardholders will find 24/7 automated support for routine inquiries and an ability to reach a live agent during extended weekday hours, while more complex SNAP-case tasks (application filing, verification review, emergency benefit determinations) are handled by county JFS units Monday–Friday. For verification, official Ohio Department of Job and Family Services information is available at https://jfs.ohio.gov — use that site to locate county contact pages and online case portals.

24/7 automated phone support vs. live agent hours

Automated EBT systems are normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for balance inquiries, transaction history, and to report a lost or stolen card. That 24/7 automation is intentional: card access problems create immediate hardship, so states and their private EBT contractors maintain continuous telephony and IVR support for core functions. When calling, you should have your card number and date of birth ready for identity verification; automated prompts will usually allow immediate PIN reset or temporary card block.

Live agents supplement the automated system and their hours tend to be concentrated in standard work shifts with extended coverage in the early morning and evenings. Expect live-agent support most weekdays (commonly starting between 7:00–8:00 AM Eastern and continuing until 6:00–8:00 PM), reduced live coverage on Saturdays and limited or no live coverage on Sundays. If you require a live agent outside those windows, the automated system will usually take a message or direct you to online resources; for urgent card replacement you can still report a lost/stolen card via the automated line for immediate block and next-steps instructions.

County Job & Family Services office hours and services

County JFS offices handle benefit eligibility, application intake, verification review, and emergency SNAP determinations. Most county offices in Ohio keep core business hours Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:30 or 5:00 PM. For example, standard service windows include intake appointments, interviews, dropping off documentation, and scheduling expedited (same‑day) SNAP reviews when criteria are met.

Important: if you need expedited SNAP (emergency) benefits, Ohio counties will assess same‑day issuance based on federal and state rules — this can occur during regular county hours and, for true emergencies, via phone triage. Always call your county JFS first (use the county lookup on jfs.ohio.gov) to confirm their exact office hours, in-person appointment rules, and whether walk‑ins are accepted; policies changed frequently during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, so current hours are best confirmed directly.

Lost/stolen cards, PIN resets, emergency benefits and fees

If your card is lost or stolen, immediately call the number printed on the back of your Ohio Direction Card (this toll‑free number connects to the card issuer’s 24/7 support). Reporting promptly prevents unauthorized transactions and allows ordering of a replacement card. PIN resets are frequently completed through the automated line with identity verification; replacements are mailed unless the county provides an in-person emergency card issuance process under special circumstances.

Regarding costs: using your EBT to buy SNAP-eligible groceries has no fee, but cash withdrawals at out-of-network ATMs can incur third‑party ATM surcharges that vary by machine (commonly $0.50–$3.00). Ohio does not impose a state month‑to‑month card fee for EBT; any ATM surcharge is assessed by the ATM operator — check the machine screen and receipt before completing a withdrawal. For fraud, transaction disputes or retailer issues, document dates and amounts, keep receipts where possible, and file a dispute through the cardholder line and your county JFS office.

Quick contact and verification checklist

• Primary contact: call the toll‑free number printed on the back of your Ohio Direction Card for 24/7 automated support and to report lost/stolen cards; have your card number and DOB ready.
• County services: find your local Job & Family Services office and hours at https://jfs.ohio.gov — county offices usually operate Mon–Fri, ~8:00 AM–5:00 PM for casework and emergency SNAP assessment.
• Official address for state-level inquiries: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215 — use the website above for email and department phone directories rather than relying on third‑party pages.

How to optimize your interaction and what to expect

Before calling or visiting, prepare: recent transactions, last four digits of the card, household member names and dates of birth, and any verification documents (ID, pay stubs, rent/mortgage statement). When you call the cardline, note the agent’s name and confirmation/tracking numbers for disputes or replacement requests — this short record speeds follow‑up and reduces repeat calls.

If you need same‑day benefits, explain the emergency circumstances clearly (no food, imminent loss of utilities, etc.) and request expedited processing. Counties routinely document urgent need and can issue emergency SNAP under federal rules; however, caseworkers will require proof or a signed attestation and will follow up for formal verification within the typical certification period.

How do I find my caseworker for food stamps?

Information you can call or visit the office. When you call let them know you need to speak with your caseworker. If you visit in person ask to be directed to the caseworker assigned to your case.

How do I talk to someone at Ohio EBT?

How can we help you? Call the toll-free Enterprise Helpdesk Number at 1-844-640-OHIO (6446) for questions regarding a Medicaid, SNAP, or Cash Assistance, or Early Care & Education Services application.

Why was my EBT card cancelled?

Deactivated/Cancelled: the current EBT Card has been deactivated by support staff of the EBT Unit because the client is deceased, incarcerated, or returned the card because they did not want benefits. A replacement EBT Card cannot be ordered from EBT Customer Service when an EBT Card is deactivated/cancelled.

How to get emergency food stamps?

How to get emergency food assistance

1. Call 211 to find agencies and community organizations that can assist you with finding food in an emergency.
2. Call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273).

What number can you call for EBT?

Change your PIN and report your lost or stolen card immediately. You can do this by calling the California EBT Customer Service Helpline at 1-877-328-9677 (TTY: 1-800-735-2929). To request a replacement of your stolen benefits online, follow these steps: Visit your Dashboard and select “View Case Details”.

What is the phone number for connect EBT Ohio?

1-866-386-3071
Find your account balance by checking your last receipt, calling Customer Service at 1-866-386-3071 or visiting the website at www.ebt.acs-inc.com.