OHIO WORKS FIRST (OWF) | CUYAHOGA COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES
Provides time-limited cash benefits and supportive services to low-income, eligible families. Supportive services include child care vouchers, transportation allowances, job search and placement assistance, food stamps (SNAP/Ohio Direction Card) and health care benefits (Medicaid HMO for families) - details of these services are listed in separate service groups. Recipients are required to participate in a combination of developmental activities (parenting classes, life skills training, counseling) and/or work/training activities to remain in the program.
Categories
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211 Cleveland
Physical Address
3955 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
Hours
By appointment during M-F: 8:30am-4:30pm.
Fax
(216) 987-7700
Fax | For faxing documents
Fax
(216) 698-4198
Website
Application process
Clients may begin the application process, renew, and/or update their case information by calling the Eligibility Contact Center: M-F: 8:00am-1:00pm (due to high call volume, caller may be given the option to receive a call back - if they choose this option they should get a call within 1-2 business days). 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 Eligibility 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). 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. Documents may be faxed to the agency or scanned via computer (documents should include the client's case number or social security number). If needed, documents can be submitted by mail. Applications and free faxing/scanning are available at any Neighborhood Family Service Center (NFSC) M-F: 9:00am-4:00pm (also at branches of the Cleveland, Cuyhaoga, and Shaker Heights Libraries during their normal hours of business). It will take approximately five business days for any faxed or scanned documents to be processed and added to the client's case file.
Fee
Free
Eligibility
Low income Cuyahoga County households with at least one child under the age of 19 may qualify. Clients are required to participate in employment activities (either have a job or working with Ohio Means Jobs to seek employment); be pursuing college or technical education; or participating in the Aspire program to attain their high school diploma. Failure of the client to complete their assigned work, education, or Aspire requirements will result in the household being sanctioned from the Ohio Works First Program. OWF benefits are time limited to 36 months in a lifetime. Under certain extreme conditions, households can exceed this 36 month limit. If the client is on strike for reasons other than “unsafe working conditions” they are not eligible for this program.
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.