How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in Ohio

If your Ohio SNAP (food assistance) case is denied, reduced, closed, or delayed, you usually have the right to appeal and ask for a fair hearing. A fair hearing is a formal way to ask an independent hearing officer to review a decision made by your local agency.

This guide explains how the SNAP appeal and fair hearing process typically works in Ohio, what deadlines and forms to watch for, and how to prepare. It is for general information only. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, cannot take appeals, and cannot access your personal case. To file an appeal, you must go through official Ohio SNAP offices or portals.

What Is a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in Ohio?

When your county department of job and family services (CDJFS) makes a decision about your SNAP case, you may disagree. For example:

• Your application is denied
• Your benefits are cut or stopped
• Your benefit amount changes and you think it is wrong
• Your case is delayed and you feel the agency is taking too long

In Ohio, you can typically:

• File an appeal (also called a request for a state hearing)
• Attend a fair hearing, where an independent hearing officer listens to both you and the agency and then makes a decision

A fair hearing is meant to give you a chance to tell your side, show documents, and explain why you think the decision is wrong.

When You Can Request a Fair Hearing

You usually have the right to appeal any action or inaction on your SNAP case. Common reasons include:

• Denial of application for SNAP
• Reduction in benefit amount
• Termination/closure of benefits
• Sanction or disqualification from SNAP
• Overpayment claim you believe is incorrect
• Processing delays (for example, your application or recertification is taking longer than the normal timeframe)

Key deadlines to know

Exact timelines can change, so it’s important to check your official notice. Typically in Ohio:

• You usually have 90 days from the date on the notice of action to request a state hearing about a SNAP decision.
• To try to keep your current benefits going while you appeal, you typically must request a hearing before the effective date of the change (often within 10 days of the notice, but the letter should spell this out).

Your official notice of denial, change, or closure should state:

• Why the agency took the action
• Which rules they used
• Your deadline to request a hearing
• How to request a hearing (mail, online, phone, or in person, depending on your county and state systems)

If your letter doesn’t make sense or you’re unsure about the date, you can call your county SNAP office and ask them to explain the deadline.

How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in Ohio

You cannot request a hearing through HowToGetAssistance.org. Appeals must go through official Ohio channels, typically through:

• Your local county department of job and family services
• The state hearings office listed on your notice
• The official Ohio benefits portal (for some requests)
• The phone number or address on your notice

Common ways people request a fair hearing

Availability may vary by county, but Ohio SNAP recipients typically can request a hearing by:

1. Mail or fax

   • Completing a hearing request form that comes with your denial or change notice, or
   • Writing a short letter that includes:
     • Your full name
     • Your case number (if you have one)
     • Your address and phone number
     • A statement like: “I am requesting a state hearing about my SNAP case.”
     • Your signature and the date

2. In person

   • Visiting your county job and family services office
   • Asking to request a state hearing on your SNAP case
   • Some offices may help you fill out the form or take a written statement

3. By phone

   • Calling the number listed on your notice to request a hearing
   • You may be told to confirm in writing, so ask what is required

4. Online (if available)

   • Some people submit hearing requests through Ohio’s official online benefits portal
   • Look for options related to “appeal,” “complaint,” or “state hearing” within your online account

Always try to keep a copy of your hearing request and note the date you sent it or handed it in. If you mail it, consider writing down the date and keeping a photo or copy of the form.

Keeping Your SNAP Benefits During the Appeal (“Aid Paid Pending”)

In some situations, you may be able to keep getting your current SNAP amount while your hearing is pending. This is often called “aid paid pending.”

This usually applies when:

• Your benefits are being reduced or stopped, and
• You request a hearing before the date the change is supposed to take effect (usually within 10 days of the notice date, but check your letter)

Important things to know:

• If you miss that short deadline, you can usually still request a hearing within the larger 90-day window, but your benefits might not continue at the prior level.
• If you lose the hearing, you may be charged with an overpayment for any extra benefits you received while the hearing was pending.

If you’re unsure about whether your benefits can stay the same during your appeal, ask your caseworker or your county office to explain how “aid paid pending” works for your situation.

What Happens After You Request a Hearing

Once Ohio receives your hearing request, a few things usually happen:

1. Acknowledgment and scheduling

   • You should receive a hearing notice with:
     • The date and time of the hearing
     • Whether it will be by phone, video, or in person
     • Instructions for how to participate
   • Hearings are often scheduled within a few weeks, but timelines can vary.

2. Pre-hearing review (informal resolution)

   • Before the hearing, the agency may review your case again.
   • Sometimes, providing missing documents or clarifications can resolve the issue without a hearing.
   • If you are satisfied with a new decision, you may be able to withdraw your hearing request in writing.

3. The hearing itself

   • A hearing officer (someone who was not involved in your case decision) leads the hearing.
   • It’s less formal than a courtroom, but it is still a legal proceeding.
   • The hearing may be:
     • By phone or video (very common)
     • In person at a scheduled location

4. Decision

   • After the hearing, the officer issues a written decision.
   • This decision is usually mailed to you and the agency.
   • It will say whether the agency’s decision was:
     • Upheld (stays the same)
     • Reversed (changed in your favor)
     • Modified (partly changed)
   • The decision usually includes the reasoning and which rules were applied.

How to Prepare for Your SNAP Fair Hearing in Ohio

You do not have to have a lawyer to attend a hearing, but preparation can make a big difference. Here are practical steps:

1. Review your notice and case records

• Carefully read the notice that explains the action (denial, reduction, closure, etc.).
• Make a list of:
  • What you disagree with
  • Why you think it’s wrong
• You can ask your county office for a copy of your case file, so you know what information they used.

2. Gather supporting documents

Collect documents that support your side. These might include:

• ID and household information
  • Photo ID
  • Social Security numbers (if applicable)
  • Birth certificates (if household size is in question)
• Income records
  • Pay stubs
  • Self-employment records
  • Unemployment or disability benefit letters
• Expense records
  • Rent or mortgage statements
  • Utility bills
  • Childcare expenses
  • Medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members, if claimed
• Letters or statements
  • Employer letters (hours, pay changes, termination)
  • Landlord letters (rent amount, who lives there)
• Any notices from the agency
  • Denial or change notices
  • Requests for information

Organize everything so it’s easy to explain during the hearing. Make copies to send to the hearing officer and to the agency if directed.

3. Prepare what you want to say

It can help to write down:

• A timeline of what happened (application date, interviews, documents submitted, notices received)
• The main reasons you think the decision is wrong
• Any questions you want to ask the agency representative

If you have trouble explaining things in English, you can usually request a free interpreter through the official SNAP office. Ask for this before the hearing date whenever possible.

4. Consider representation or support

You are allowed to bring:

• Legal aid or an attorney
• A trusted friend or family member to help explain things
• A case advocate from a community organization, if available

Many areas of Ohio have legal aid organizations that help low-income residents with public benefits issues. You can usually find them by:

• Calling 211 for local referrals
• Asking your county job and family services office if they know local legal aid contacts
• Searching for “Ohio legal aid SNAP help” using a trusted search engine

Representation is not required, but it can be helpful, especially in complex cases (like overpayments or alleged fraud).

What to Expect During the Hearing

Hearings are designed to be more informal than a court trial, but they still follow certain rules.

You can generally expect:

• The hearing officer to introduce the case and explain the process.
• You to be sworn in (you promise to tell the truth).
• The agency representative to explain the reason for their decision and what rules they used.
• You (or your representative) to:
  • Tell your side of the story
  • Show your documents
  • Answer questions
  • Ask the agency representative questions
• The hearing to be recorded (audio) as part of the official record.

If you don’t understand a question, it’s okay to say so and ask for it to be repeated or explained in simpler terms.

If you miss your hearing, the case may be dismissed. If that happens, you can ask your local agency or the hearings office if there is a way to reopen the hearing due to good cause (for example, serious illness or emergency), but this is not guaranteed.

Outcomes: If You Win, Lose, or Partially Win

After the hearing, the written decision will explain the outcome.

If the decision is in your favor

If the hearing officer decides the agency was wrong:

• Your SNAP benefits may be restored or increased, depending on the issue.
• You may receive back benefits for the period you should have been receiving more assistance (subject to program rules).
• The agency is typically required to follow the decision within a set timeframe.

If the decision is not in your favor

If the decision supports the agency:

• The denial, reduction, or closure usually stays in place.
• If you received extra benefits while waiting for the hearing due to “aid paid pending,” you may owe an overpayment.
• You may receive information in the decision about any next-level appeal options (such as administrative or judicial review). These options can be complex and may involve strict deadlines, so many people contact legal aid at this stage.

If the decision is mixed

Sometimes the officer may:

• Agree with you on some parts but not others
• Order the agency to recalculate benefits based on corrected information

Always read the decision letter carefully and keep it with your important records.

Common Reasons SNAP Cases Are Denied or Reduced in Ohio

Understanding common issues can help you decide whether to appeal and what to focus on.

People in Ohio often report SNAP decisions related to:

• Missing documents or verification
  • Income proof not turned in on time
  • Unclear household size or living situation
• Income too high under SNAP rules
• Changes not reported on time (new job, moved, household changed)
• Not completing an interview
• Not returning recertification paperwork
• Sanctions for not meeting work or program rules (in certain cases)

If your case was denied or reduced because of missing information, sometimes simply supplying the correct documents before or during the hearing can resolve the issue—either informally or as part of the official decision.

Documents and Information to Gather for a SNAP Appeal

Here is a simple overview of what many Ohio applicants or recipients gather when appealing a SNAP decision:

You will not always need everything in this table; what you need depends on why your SNAP was denied or changed.

If You Miss the Appeal Deadline

If you pass the 90-day window (or the deadline listed on your notice):

• The agency usually does not have to grant a hearing on that specific decision.
• You may still be able to:
  • Reapply for SNAP with new information
  • Ask if there were any good cause reasons that might allow a late hearing (this is limited and not always available)
  • Seek help from legal aid to understand any remaining options

If you think you never got the notice or got it very late, let your county office or a legal aid organization know when you discovered the problem.

Other Food Assistance Options in Ohio If SNAP Is Not Available

If you’re denied SNAP, are waiting for a hearing, or do not qualify, you may still be able to get short-term food assistance through other programs. These are not a substitute for SNAP, but they can help:

• Food pantries and food banks

  • Many communities have local pantries run by nonprofits, faith groups, or community organizations.
  • You can usually find them by:
    • Dialing 211 for local referrals
    • Contacting local community action agencies
    • Asking your county job and family services office for a list

• Meals for children

  • Schools often provide free or reduced-price meals based on income.
  • During school breaks, some areas offer summer meal programs or other options.

• Senior meal programs

  • Some areas have home-delivered meals or congregate meal sites for older adults.

These programs are separate from SNAP and have their own rules. Contact the specific organization or program directly for details and enrollment steps.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Ohio SNAP Channels

When dealing with appeals, it’s important to ensure you are using real government offices and portals, not unofficial services that may charge fees or ask for unnecessary personal information.

To protect yourself:

• Use contact information from:
  • Official mail notices from your county or the state
  • Your county department of job and family services office directory
  • The state’s main benefits or job and family services website
• Be cautious about:
  • Websites that charge a fee to “file your SNAP appeal” or “guarantee approval”
  • Anyone asking for your full Social Security number or EBT card PIN in ways that seem unusual
• If unsure, you can:
  • Call your county job and family services office directly using a number you know is official
  • Dial 211 and ask for help identifying the correct official SNAP office in your Ohio county

Remember:
HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only. It does not process appeals, handle applications, look up cases, or make decisions about benefits. To request a SNAP fair hearing in Ohio, you must go through your official county or state benefits channels.

By understanding the appeal process, deadlines, and how to prepare, you can better advocate for yourself and make sure your SNAP eligibility and benefit amount are reviewed fairly through Ohio’s official system.