Important Information About Your New Blue and Silver Ohio DIRECTION Card You must call Customer Service to select a 4-digit PIN for your new blue-and-silver Ohio Direction Card. Your current 5-digit PIN will not work with your new blue-and-silver card. You can call Customer Service at 1-866-386-3071. Sunday March 26, 2006 - This is the last day to use your green Ohio Direction Card. You may use it until 11:59PM on Sunday (just prior to mid-night on Sunday). Monday, March 27, 2006 - If you will receive benefits for April, your April benefits will be available any time Monday using your new blue-and-silver Ohio Direction Card. Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - If you have any benefits left on your green Ohio Direction Card, we will automatically transfer those remaining benefits to your new blue-and-silver Ohio Direction Card account by 6:00AM Wednesday morning. Starting May 1, 2006, and every month there after, we will automatically add your benefits to your new blue-and-silver Ohio Direction Card every month. We will add benefits on your usual issuance day, even if that day falls on a weekend or holiday. You no longer need to load the benefits at a store or JFS County Office. How do I obtain my food stamp benefits? Your food stamp benefits are automatically deposited to your Ohio DIRECTION Card account on the same day of each month you are eligible. You can check with your county office to find out which day you receive your benefits. How do I use my Ohio DIRECTION Card to shop? You can use your Ohio DIRECTION Card at all grocery stores that display the Ohio DIRECTION Card sticker. After you have completed your shopping, tell the cashier you are using your Ohio DIRECTION Card for your food purchases. Most grocery stores in Ohio accept the Ohio DIRECTION Card. If you make a purchase in another state, look for the Quest ® logo which means your Ohio DIRECTION Card will be accepted.   To use your card, you or the cashier swipes your card through the point-of-sale (POS) equipment. The cashier or the register automatically enters the amount of your food purchase. YOU must then enter your secret 4-digit PIN on the machine's PIN pad. Never tell the cashier or anyone else your secret PIN. Never ask the cashier to enter your PIN for you. The machine prints your receipt with your purchase amount and the amount of food stamp benefits you have left. If you want to purchase any non-food items not eligible under food stamp rules, you must pay for these with cash or another form of payment such as a debit or credit card. What is a PIN? PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. You must have a 4-digit PIN to use your Ohio DIRECTION Card. Call Service to select a PIN and activate your card. You will need your: - Card number from the front of your Ohio DIRECTION Card - Social Security Number - Birth Date Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember, but hard for someone else to guess or figure out if you lose your card Never tell anyone else, including a grocery store cashier, your secret PIN Never write your PIN on your card or card sleeve DO NOT write your PIN on anything you carry with you like your wallet or purse in case it is lost or stolen. How do I protect my Ohio DIRECTION Card and food stamp benefits? If your Ohio DIRECTION Card is lost or stolen call Customer Service immediately. Your benefits will be protected as soon as you report it lost or stolen and a new card with your remaining benefits will be issued to you. When entering your PIN to make a purchase, be sure no one else can see what number you are entering. If someone else learns your PIN and uses your card and PIN to use your benefits, your benefits will not be replaced. If you think someone else has learned your PIN, call Customer Service immediately to choose a new PIN. Your Ohio DIRECTION Card and benefits will not change.