Those using the cards will see a minor change in the card later this year
The state is changing the company that handles Ohio's food stamp program. That means anyone receiving those benefits will soon be getting new cards to use at grocery stores.
"We're leaving Xerox, that's our current vendor, and we're going to JP Morgan," said Ohio Department of Job and Family Services spokesman Ben Johnson.
He says there won't be any difference for those getting benefits, but the state stands to save money. Ohio pays a certain amount for each card each month. The change saves them about 30 cents per card, of nearly $4 million.
Businesses will be getting new card readers, but Johnson says the existing cards will continue to work. The change is scheduled to take place on July 1.
More than 800,000 Ohio families are enrolled in the program. Another 72,000 families getting help through Ohio Works First will also get new cards.
"We haven't quite figured out the schedule for distributing the new cards yet," said Johnson.
Johnson says clients should make sure their address is up to date so they will receive their new cards.
The program started using electronic cards in 1997.
