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Franklin County Job and Family Services
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Frequently Asked Questions

Emergency Assistance FAQs

Emergency Assistance programs help Franklin County families through unexpected financial emergencies.
  • Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) provides short-term benefits and services to families with household income below 165% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG).
 
  • PRC-Emergency Rental Assistance (PRC-ERA) was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and can help impacted families pay for rent or utilities. Families must earn no more than 80% of the average median income.
 
  • PRC Plus is a local program that provides the same help as PRC-ERA but to COVID-impacted families with household income between 166% and 300% FPG. Families cannot receive assistance through both PRC-ERA and PRC Plus. 
 
Applicants must reside in Franklin County and have at least one minor child or a pregnant person in the household.
 
You are automatically ineligible if you:
 
  • Are not a U.S. citizen or qualified alien;
  • Are a felon fugitive or probation/parole violator;
  • Have an outstanding Ohio Works First or PRC fraud overpayment balance, committed an Intentional Program Violation (PIV), have fraudulently misrepresented your residence to obtain assistance, previously falsified a PRC application, are ineligible for other programs due to non-compliance with terms of your assistance, or demonstrate a pattern of requesting assistance and/or non-payment of expenses;
  • Are an unmarried, non-graduate under the age of 19, not attending high school or its equivalent;
  • Are an unmarried parent under 18 who is not living in an adult-supervised living arrangement;
  • Are on strike; or
  • Unemployed assistance groups who are receiving public assistance and who are not actively engaged with FCDJFS Workforce Development (e.g., completing assessment, completing and signing Self-Sufficiency Contract/Plan, participating in a work activity, etc.) unless a member of the assistance group is pregnant, caring for an individual with a short-term medical issue, or in receipt of a type of income that is indicative of a disability (e.g., SSI, Social Security Disability, etc.) and or support documents to obtain assistance.
  • PRC Emergency Assistance can provide up to $1,500 for past-due rent or utility payments. Families cannot have received PRC assistance in the previous 12 months. 
  • PRC-Emergency Rental Assistance (PRC-ERA) and PRC Plus can cover past-due or future rent or utility assistance for up to 15 months, total. Limited to 3 months of future rent or utility assistance per approved application.
Franklin County notifies applicants about how much assistance they qualify for upon approval, then issues payment directly to the landlord or utility company. Families that have received PRC assistance within the last 12 months remain eligible to apply for and receive assistance through PRC-ERA or PRC Plus.
 
For all PRC applications, please include scanned or photo copies of:
 
  • Social Security number or proof one has been applied for;
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship if a U.S. citizen;
  • Permanent resident card or other INS documentation if not a U.S. citizen;
  • Documentation of the last 30 days of income, including but not limited to pay stubs, a letter from your employer, unemployment verification, or disability award letters;
  • New employment in the last 30 days may require a “New Hire Letter” signed by the employer which contains the applicants name, date of hire, rate of pay, hours worked per week, contact name and number of the employer;
  • If not employed, you may be able to use documentation of 12 months (consecutive or non-consecutive) of work history or unemployment compensation as well as proof of OhioMeansJobs registration over the previous 24 months;
  • Current signed lease (all pages);
  • A copy of any subsidized agreement is required;
  • Itemized statement signed by the landlord of the amount due by month and cost;
  • Property management agreement if the landlord uses a property management company;
  • Landlord’s W-9; and
  • Any amount due over what PRC can pay (up to $1,500) must include documentation that an arrangement has been made to resolve the balance owed**
 
**Only required for PRC, not PRC-ERA or PRC Plus
 
Digital photos or copies of these documents can be attached with your emailed application.   Applications cannot be processed without complete supporting documentation. Applications with incomplete or missing documentation will be denied.
 

Food Assistance FAQs

The latest federal COVID-19 relief bill expanded eligibility for college students to qualify for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The new, temporary changes apply to students who are enrolled in classes at least half-time and meet either of the following exemptions:
  • The individual is eligible to participate in a state or federally financed work study program during the school year. Previously a student needed to be actively participating in a work study program in order to be eligible; or
  • The individual has an expected family contribution of $0 in the current academic year. Students who receive the maximum Pell grant meet this exemption.

These new, temporary exemptions will be in effect until 30 days after to COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted. Students still need to meet all other eligibility criteria in order to qualify for SNAP.

To learn more about COVID-19 college student exemptions, click here.

Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is complex -- based on family size, income and expenses -- but both families and individuals may qualify to receive Food Assistance.

You may qualify for benefits if your household's gross monthly income is at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Some households with incomes over the limits may still qualify if someone in the household is elderly or disabled. Go to SNAP Eligibility Requirements  to learn more or see if you may qualify.
​Household items, magazines, newspapers, tobacco products, medicine, paper goods, vitamins, or alcoholic drinks may not be purchased with food assistance card. For more information about your EBT card please read the EBT FAQ document

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several retailers have added the SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card option for online ordering. SNAP recipients are now able to order their food online and pick up curbside or in store. Those retailers providing this service include:

Walmart — All Ohio locations
• Order online or by mobile app (IOS) (Android)
• Select “EBT Card” as payment option
• Pay using EBT Card at pickup

Kroger — Select Ohio locations
• Order online or by mobile app (IOS) (Android)
• Select “SNAP EBT at Pickup” as payment option
• Pay using EBT Card at pickup

Giant Eagle — All Ohio locations
• Must have a curbside order that exceeds $35
• Call your local Giant Eagle location regarding EBT Card payment

Here is the link that provides more information about the Food Assistance Non-Discrimination Statement: https://odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov/domains/common/disclaimer.jsf.

  • "And Justice For All" poster (DOWNLOAD)
​Each customer will receive an appointment letter to call in to the agency for an interview to re-determine eligibility for Food Assistance. The appointment letter will state a time and day for you to call the agency to complete your interview. Our interview phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please be sure to check your appointment letter, and call us at your scheduled interview time. Failing to conduct this interview may result in the delay or termination of your benefits. The interview hotline 1-844-640-6446 should only be used to complete your interview or to reschedule your interview. For other inquiries, please contact our call center at 614-233-2000.
​As long as your income falls within the guidelines and you abide by the rules and reulations of the food assistance program.
Ten days total from the date printed on the request for verifications. If verifications are not turned in within the 10-day timeframe, it may result in a delay in processing and possible denial of your application.Verifications can be submitted by mail, fax (614-233-2109), or in-person at drop box or our Quick-Scan station.
Expedited services are available for households with no income and who meet the expedited guideline within 24 to 72 hours. For non-expedited services, once all verifications are received, it can take up to 30 days for assistance to be determined. When approved, the card will be received within 5 – 10 days.
The amount of food assistance you will receive is based on your household size, income and expenses.
Individual’s ages 18 to 49 year of age without children applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are considered Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) and must fulfill work requirements in order to receive their benefits. If an ABAWD is not deemed exempt,. they are required to participate in monthly Job Search work activity, a Work Experience Program (WEP) or an educational/occupational training activity. 
In order to complete your application, you will need to provide accurate verifications of your identity, residency, household income, and expenses.The specific documents accepted are listed in the application, as well as this flyer, but in general you will need documents like:
  • Social Security cards or proof of an application for everyone who will be receiving the benefits
  • Verification of residency (i.e. lease agreement or utility bill in your name)
  • Verification of household income earned and unearned income (pay stubs, child support, Social Security Income, or any other income you are receiving or you have received within the last 30 days)
  • Verification of child support paid
  • Verification of mortgage/rent (via rent receipt from last 30 days, current lease agreement in your name, or letter from person that you are living with that includes how much you pay per month)
  • Verification of utility cost (utility bill in your name or letter from landlord stating that you are responsible for the utility represented in the bill)
  • Child care expenses (receipt or letter from child care provider stating how much you pay for child care services)
  • Medical expense (if you are aged/ blind or disabled)
  • If you are receiving Publicly Funded Child Care from FCDJFS we will be able to look up your co-pay
The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to raise nutritional levels, to expand buying power and to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals in low-income households in Ohio. A household may consist of an individual or a group of individuals who live together and usually purchase, prepare and eat their food together. SNAP benefits are available through the "Ohio Direction Card" an electronic debit card system.

Child Care Assistance FAQs

FCDJFS may take up to 30 days from the date of submission to process and make a determination on any application. If all verifications needed to determine eligibility are provided at the time of the application, the processing time decreases.
In order to maintain continued eligibility for your child care benefit, a redetermination packet must be submitted every twelve (12) months, and is due before your current eligibility ends. A redetermination application (JFS 1124) is mailed 45 days before the end date of eligibility. To avoid potential interruption to your child care benefit, please submit the JFS 1124 and all supporting documentation before the end date of eligibility. A second letter will be mailed 15 days before the end date of eligibility reminding you of the termination date.

To report a change, to your child care case, such as a new provider, you may use a Child Care Change form (1401-CC) and submit it to FCDJFS. You may also call the Customer Access Center (CAC) at (614) 233-2000 option 2 and report the change, such as new employment, or address change over the phone. If verification is required for the reported change, submit the documents within 10 days of the date the change is reported, and please be sure to include the best way a case manager can contact you if further information is needed regarding your reported change(s).

 Fax your documents to (614) 233-2749, or email documents to:  [email protected]

 Please remember to include your name and/or 10-digit case number on each document that you submit.

More information about program-specific rules for Child Care Centers can be found by clicking here.
More information about program-specific rules for Family Child Care, including Type A, Type B and In-Home Aides, can be found by clicking here.
A caretaker may continue to receive publicly funded child care (PFCC) for up to 13 weeks after the loss of a qualifying activity, such as loss of employment, no longer in school, or not participating in work activity for cash assistance. This 13-week benefit is available only once every 12 months. If approved:
  1. Continued eligibility will begin the first day of the activity loss, regardless of when the change is reported;
  2. Co-payments may be recalculated and shall be effective from the first day of the new corresponding eligibility period; and
  3. Continued eligibility may be extended up to 13 weeks from the date that the qualifying activity ended.◦In some circumstances, the continued eligibility period may be less than 13 weeks.
Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC), also known as subsidized child care, is an income-based assistance program available through FCDJFS. PFCC helps eligible families pay for the cost of child care services for children under the age of 13 and children with disabilities up to the age of 18. Applicants may be required to pay a co-payment based on gross monthly income and family size. 
In an effort to encourage newly licensed programs to provide publicly funded child care, ODJFS is creating a one-time incentive payment. Newly licensed ODJFS child care centers and family child care providers are eligible for this incentive if the new program also signs a provider agreement for publicly funded child care. The new license and provider agreement must become effective between the date of this letter and June 30, 2020.

The incentive payments will be $5,000 for child care centers and $2,500 for family child care providers. Payment will be automatically issued by ODJFS via electronic funds transfer approximately 60 days after meeting the requirements.  Any payments approved or authorized by ODJFS are subject to the availability of appropriate state or Federal funds.
A notice should be received in the mail within 7 to 10 business days after the decision is made.
FCDJFS recommends the following resources to assist parents and caretakers in locating a Child Care Provider that fits their needs:

Financial eligibility is based on your family’s gross monthly income and family size.  Gross monthly household income is defined as your income before taxes, which includes employment income, child support, cash assistance, social security, disability, etc.

Household income: 
  • New Applicants – The gross monthly household income for your family size must be equal to or less than 142% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  • Existing Recipients – The gross monthly household income for your family size must be equal to or less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to maintain ongoing eligibility for Child Care.

Please find below a brief outline of the Income Eligibility Standards:

Family Size

2021 Federal Poverty Level (100%)

Maximum Income Limit for Initial Eligibility (142%)

 Maximum Monthly Income Limit for Transitional and Special Need Eligiblity (150%)

Maximum Income Limit for Ongoing Eligibility (300%)

2

$1,452

$2,062

 $2,178

$4,355

3

$1,830

$2,599

 $2,745

$5,490

4

$2,209

$3,136

 $3,313

$6,625

5

$2,587

$3,674

 $3,880

$7,760

For the complete list of PFCC Income Elibility Guidenlines, cick here,
Yes, FCDJFS may take up to 10-calendar days to review applications and mail a follow-up letter indicating what information is still needed to determine eligibility.
By September 2020, the State of Ohio will require all child care providers who receive public funding  to  be star rated through Ohio’s Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) or lose that funding. As a result, the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services (FCDJFS) is offering free trainings for home and center-based child care providers. The trainings will allow providers to earn up to 32 hours of Ohio Approved Professional Development to support them in the SUTQ rating process both to help become or stay star rated.
What we know from our work is that star-rated providers of child care in Franklin County are held to the highest quality standards when it comes to caring for children. Parents seek to find centers or home child care providers who are star-rated because staff is knowledgeable and passionate about their work. They provide a safe, nurturing, and caring environment so children can develop verbal and social skills to learn and grow, not only for today but also for their future.
FCDJFS trainings will be offered in several rotating cohorts, through in-person and online vehicles and will include hands on technical assistance to help providers understand what is required to become SUTQ star-rated, how to fill out forms and prepare their center for initial or maintenance of an existing rating. The training is approved by the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (OCCRRA), and those who complete the training will earn up to 32 hours credit toward their SUTQ star rating.
Regardless of their star level, all home-based or center-based PFCC providers in Franklin County are eligible to participate in the training.
Home-based providers will be in a separate cohort than center-based providers, but will cover the same content. This ensures all providers get what they need out of the training to prepare them for star rating. The training is designed with activities and completion of SUTQ forms to allow providers to delve into specific tasks that enable them to store the information in their long-term memory through repetition and experience.  All providers, regardless of their setting type and current star rating, have an opportunity to learn.
There is no cost but you must be a provider that operates home or center-based child care in Franklin County.
Participants will complete training over four Saturdays. Each Saturday will last for 8 hours.
In 2017, Franklin County had roughly 32,000 children utilizing Publicly Funded Child Care with 24% of center based providers and 18% of home providers star rated. This means if the 2020 mandates went in place today, approximately 23,000 children would need new child care providers – and more than 10,000 working parents would need to drop everything to find a star-rated provider to care for them.
Franklin County Job and Family Services takes seriously the State of Ohio mandate to ensure all home and center based child care are star rated by 2020. FCDJFS is engaged in multiple strategies to help meet that mandate including:
  • Increased engagement by FCDJFS staff with child care providers regarding the benefits of being and/or staying star rated;
  • Partnering with community organizations to help provide technical assistance to home and center based providers on how to become and stay star rated.
  • Partnering with the State of Ohio by participating in community group meetings to communicate with providers the existing support with becoming Step Up to Quality star rated.
  • Leveraging this programmatic and grassroots partnership with radio and television ads to support our grassroots and to help reinforce the benefits of becoming a star-rated provider and why parents should seek home and center-based child care that is star rated.
Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is a five-star quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. SUTQ program standards are based on national research and administered by the state of Ohio. A star rating recognizes early learning programs that meet and exceed those SUTQ program standards as well as health and safety regulations. To put it simply, a star rating is a sign that a home or child care provider meets the highest quality standards to care for your child.
A star rating from the state of Ohio is a sign that a home child care provider or center meets the highest quality standards to care for your child.  Find out more at http://childcaresearch.ohio.gov/ to find a star-rated provider.
A star rating is important because it is a sign that a provider offers a safe, caring, nurturing environment for your child and has staff that are qualified to help your child develop verbal and social skills to learn and grow, not only for today but also for their future.  Find out more at http://childcaresearch.ohio.gov/ to find a star-rated provider.
Being star rated and staying star rated is a sign for parents that your home or center:
  • Is held to the highest quality standards when caring for their children.
  • Offers safe, caring, and nurturing environment to help their children learn and grow.
  • Staff can help their children develop verbal and social skills to learn and grow, not only for today but also for their future.
Also, if you are star rated by 2020, eligible families can receive assistance to help pay for child care at your center.
 

Medical Assistance FAQs

The following individuals may qualify for Medicaid coverage in Ohio:
  • Individuals with low income
  • Pregnant people, infants, and children
  • Older adults
  • Individuals with disabilities
Click here for additional information
Ohio Medicaid programs provide a comprehensive package of servichttps://medicaid.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/medicaid/families-and-individuals/srvcs/serviceses that includes preventive care for consumers. Some services are limited by dollar amount, number of visits per year, or setting in which they can be provided. More information ...
Ohio joined the majority of states in having a single disability determination system on August 1, 2016, simplifying the process for Ohioans to apply for and maintain health care coverage.

Cash Assistance FAQs

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) also referred to as Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance is an income-based program offered to assist families that are experiencing a temporary financial hardship and help to place them on a path to self-sufficiency.
OWF Cash Assistance is an income-based program and all applicants/families must meet federal income guidelines. In addition, applicants must be...
  • The parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or specified relative of a minor child living in your household under the age of 19 (A specified relative is anyone age 18 or older caring for a minor in place of the parent[s] and can verify the relationship); or,
  • Medically verified to be at least 6 months pregnant (third trimester).
A customer can be eligible to receive OWF for a period of up to 36 months. Months do not have to be counted consecutively (ex: a participant could receive OWF for a 10-month span over the course of a year and still be eligible to participate in the program for up to 26 additional months).  

Once the 36-month timeframe has expired, the customer may submit an application for an OWF Hardship Exemption or OWF Good Cause Extension.
Participants receiving OWF cash assistance are required to sign and comply with a self-sufficiency contract and plan that requires the customer to participate in an assigned work activity.
 
Customers receiving OWF cash are required to complete a Work Activity assignment for an established number of hours each month, depending on their household composition.
  • Single-parent household with a child(ren) age 5 or younger: 87 required monthly hours
  • Single-parent household with a child(ren) age 6-18: 130 required monthly hours
  • 2-parent household (not utilizing Publicly-Funded Child Care): 152 required monthly hours 
  • 2-parent household (utilizing Publicly-Funded Child Care): 238 required monthly hours
*Publicly-Funded Child Care or Subsidized Child Care assistance is available for families participating in the OWF Work Activity program.  A separate application is required for this benefit.
 
Customers who fail to attend their assigned work activity (without providing Good Cause documentation for their absence) are subject to sanctions/penalties being applied to the benefits. These penalties can range from one (1) to six (6) months.
  • First Offense:  Cash assistance is closed for one (1) month, or until a mandatory compliance has been met
  • Second Offense:  Cash assistance is closed for three (3) months, or until a mandatory compliance has been met
  • Third Offense (and any future occurrences):  Cash assistance is closed for six (6) months, or until a mandatory compliance has been met.  (Customers failing to meet their monthly required work activity hours may also have a penalty placed on their food and medical assistance.)
Customers who have exhausted their 36 months of OWF eligibility but are still experiencing extenuating barriers in gaining employment are eligible to apply for additional months of assistance. Examples of these hardships and barriers include: 
  • health issues affecting the customer or family member requiring full time care;
  • being 75% completed with college or trade school courses; or, 
  • A combination of surmountable barriers that must be documented.
Click here to download an OWF Hardship Exemption form.  
Customers who have exhausted their 36 months of eligibility and have not received OWF for two years may be eligible for an OWF Good Cause exemption if they have experienced a loss of employment/income due to no fault of their own, death, or other unique family circumstances.

Click here to download a Good Cause Extension Review form. 
The A.M.P. program connects Franklin county youth and young adults ages 16-24 with a case manager – your personal advocate – will work with you to build a customized plan for your future, while helping you address your current challenges. A.M.P. can connect you with services and assistance to help you gain the skills, employment or knowledge you need to get to your next level. All Youth and Young Adults age 18-24 in receipt of cash assistance are required to participate in the AMP program. 

For more information, visit http://levelupwithAMP.com or call 614-233-AMP1 (2671). 
 

Find Work FAQs