HARDSHIP - EXTENDED OHIO WORKS FIRST (OWF) BENEFITS | CUYAHOGA COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

Provides temporary continuance of cash benefits and employment support for certain categories of clients who have used up their 36 months of Ohio Works First Benefits (OWF), are unable to work, and do not have replacement income. All OWF rules apply and participants must adhere to a Self-Sufficiency plan during the time of transitional assistance.

Data provided by

211 Cleveland

Physical Address

3955 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115

Hours

M-F: 8:30am-4:30pm

Fax

(216) 987-7700

Fax | For faxing documents

Fax

(216) 698-4198

Voice

(216) 881-4416

Main | Jane Edna Hunter NFSC Information Line

Application process

Clients may begin the application process, renew, and/or update their case information by calling the Contact Center: M-F: 8:00am-1:00pm (due to high call volume, caller may be given the option to recieve a call back - if they choose this option they should get a call within one business day). May also apply, renew, and/or update case information through website anytime (client must have an email address to do this). In most cases, any interviews can be done through the Contact Center. If applying by phone, the interview may be done during the phone call; if applying via website or paper, the agency will schedule an over the phone interview (client will be given a day and time frame to call in). If a face to face meeting is required, it can be held at any Neighborhood Family Service Center (NFSC). Agency can look up most supporting documents through an electronic records search - the client will be notified if they need to supply any extra supporting documents. Applications and free faxing/scanning are available at any Neighborhood Family Service Center (NFSC) M-F: 8:00am-4:30pm (also at branches of the Cleveland, Cuyahoga, and Shaker Heights Libraries during their normal hours of business).

Fee

Free

Eligibility

Open to OWF recipients in Cuyahoga County whose 36 months of support have ended. Transitional Assistance (TA) is available to individuals once the maximum 36 months of OWF cash benefits have been received. Must also fall into one of eight eligible groups: 1) Parent/caregiver of a child under 12 weeks of age; 2) Teen parent designated as head of household; 3) Parent/caretaker caring for physically disabled or mentally ill family member or a family member with a short-term medical crisis; 4) Parent is physically disabled, mentally ill, has a debilitating medical condition, or short-term medical crisis; 5) Individual lost employment through no fault of their own; 6) Individual temporarily unable to work because of domestic violence; 7) Parent/caretaker has completed reunification with child(ren) following involvement with DCFS within last 12 months OR has a scheduled court date to complete reunification; and 8) Parent/caretaker is actively involved in treatment for an alcohol or drug issue OR enrolls in an alcohol or drug program based on results of pre-employment screen.

Agency info

CUYAHOGA COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

Operates several Neighborhood Family Service Centers which provide cash benefits (such as Ohio Works First welfare benefits), food assistance (food stamps), medical coverage, employment/training assistance, child care vouchers, and supportive services to Cuyahoga County residents who meet eligibility requirements. Clients are assigned to a Service Center according to their zip code. Spanish-speaking staff are available.