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Community
Services contact information:
- Phone: (740) 653-1701 or 1-800-450-8845
- Fax: (740) 689-4848
GENERAL
QUESTIONS
How can I
apply for assistance?
Complete an application
general application (7200) and fax, mail or bring to
Fairfield County Job & Family Services at 239 W. Main
Street, Lancaster, Ohio.
What do I
need to bring to my appointment?
Please refer to the
Application/Reapplication Verification Checklist
to
determine what to bring. Some programs require verifications
that other programs do not. If you don’t bring everything
with you to the initial appointment, an additional checklist
will be sent with you to return within a specified period of
time.
What are
the income guidelines?
Each program has different income guidelines. You may
call Fairfield County Job and Family Services between 8 a.m.
and 4 p.m. at 740-653-1701 and a representative can go over
this with you.
How long
after applying will I receive benefits?
Once all verifications are received, it can take up to
ten days to approve or deny your benefits. If found eligible
for benefits, assistance begins retroactive to date of
application.
Where do I
go to apply?
If you live in Fairfield County, we are located at 239
W. Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio. If you reside in an
outlying county, please apply at your local Job & Family
Services. If you are uncertain of the county in which you
reside, please call the Map Room at 740-687-6758.
WORK
ACTIVITY/SUCCESS COACH QUESTIONS
When will I
receive my first OWF check?
In order to receive your OWF check, you must submit all
verifications needed to determine eligibility and attend an
appointment to sign a Self-Sufficiency Contract with a
Success Coach. Once you have done this, OWF will be
authorized in 10 days or less. After authorization, checks
typically arrive within 5-7 business days.
Can I get a
gas voucher to help with job search or getting to and from
work?
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation is the only
program for which gas vouchers are offered and are for
medical appointments only. However, your Success Coach can
potentially provide a work allowance to help with gas money
to get to and from an assigned work activity through JFS.
Transportation assistance
to and from work can potentially be obtained through
RideSolutions car pooling program (1-888-742-RIDE).
If I’m not
eligible for PRC, what other options are available for car
repair and other employment-related expenses?
As a participant in a work activity, you may be eligible
for another type of assistance called an incidental.
Incidentals are limited to $200 in a 12 month period and can
be applied to employment related expenses such as minor car
repairs, uniforms for new employment, etc.
Who should
I call to report changes that occur between my
appointments—my Success Coach or ERS?
You can report changes to either your Success Coach or
ERS, as they will communicate this information to one
another.
What is a
Self-Sufficiency Contract and how long will it take to sign
it?
A
Self-Sufficiency Contract is an plan that outlines
goals to help your family move toward employment or other
means of financial independence. It will outline your work
activity responsibilities
as well as
supportive services JFS may be able to offer your family.
The entire appointment typically takes about an hour.
Can I get
assistance to return to school?
Success Coaches can offer guidance in completing necessary
paperwork for school (applications, FAFSA forms, etc.) and
discussing schooling options. If interested in financial
assistance in addition to the FAFSA, you may contact
WorkNet to discuss their
WIA Training program.
I have been
participating in my work activity—why did I get a notice my
work allowance is ending?
When a Success Coach enters a work allowance, it is only
entered for a few months at a time (typically, until your
next appointment time). These notices are computer-generated
as soon as it appears you work allowance has not been
entered for the next month. If you receive this notice in
error, contact your Success Coach and request they review
your case and re-enter the work allowance if appropriate.
ELIGIBILITY
QUESTIONS
Why is
someone I know eligible for assistance when I am not? Why
are they receiving more in cash or food stamp assistance
than I am?
The same eligibility rules and guidelines apply to
everyone applying for and receiving assistance in the state
of Ohio. It is important to understand that everyone’s
situation is different and despite the fact that you may
both seem to be in the same position, there are factors that
affect eligibility that you may not be aware of which affect
the amount of assistance you are eligible to receive.
If you suspect
that someone is improperly or fraudulently receiving
assistance, you are encouraged to report this information to
the agency for a follow-up investigation. You can make a
fraud referral online [here].
What if I
do not receive my Ohio Works First (OWF) check on the first
of the month?
Cash assistance checks are issued by the State of Ohio
around the first calendar day of each month, however,
depending on holidays and other processing timeframes these
checks will not always be issued on the 1st. According to
the state, these checks may arrive at your home within the
first five business days of the month and are not considered
“late” until the tenth day of the month.
The county and
your caseworkers have no control over when the checks are
received and will not be able to provide you with any
information about when they will arrive. If you have not
received your check by the 5th of the month, you should
contact your caseworker to see if there are any other issues
with your case or if any information is missing.
I have lost
my Ohio Medicaid card and need a new one for a doctor’s
appointment. How can I receive a replacement card?
You will receive your Medicaid card on the first of each
month. Fairfield County Job and Family Services is NOT able
to issue any replacement cards, written verification or
billing numbers to customers who are on a Managed Care Plan.
. If you are covered through a Managed Care Plan (Anthem,
CareSource or Molina), you will need to contact your plan to
request a new card.
Anthem:
1-866-464-9953 (ABD)
CareSource: 1-800-488-0134 (CFC) 1-800-993-0780 (ABD)
Molina: 1-800-642-4168 (CFC)
1-866-408-9501 (ABD)
If you are in your first month of receiving Medicaid or had
a break in coverage, you may be on traditional Medicaid
(“Fee for Service”) coverage for a brief period of time. In
this situation, you should contact your caseworker to
request a replacement card at 1-800-450-8845. Replacement
cards will take 5 to 7 business days to arrive. If you have
an emergency, your caseworker or the Help Desk can provide
your doctor with your billing number and verify eligibility.
*Please note: All consumers who are Medicaid eligible are
required to select a Managed Care Plan within the first 60
days of being eligible for Medicaid. Please visit
www.ohiossc.com or call 1-800-605-3040 to discuss in
detail the Medicaid Managed Care Plans.
I have
turned in an application for assistance. When can I expect
to have an appointment to determine whether I am eligible?
If you are not currently receiving assistance, a
receptionist will schedule you for an intake appointment
within five business days of the date your application is
received in the office. If you are currently receiving
assistance and are applying for additional benefits, your
caseworker will schedule you an appointment within five
business days of receiving the application and contact you
by phone or mail with the appointment time.
QUESTION ABOUT
THE S.T.A.R.S. PROGRAM
How can I
enroll in the S.T.A.R.S. Program?
To enroll in the S.T.A.R.S. Certification Program,
customers must meet with a Success Coach. Call 740-653-1701
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to schedule this appointment.
What are
the income guidelines to enroll in the program?
There are no income guidelines. Anyone seeking work can
complete the program.
Do you have
an attendance policy?
Yes, there is a strict attendance policy. Enrollees must
complete all ten days to receive a certificate of
completion. Anyone who misses a day at some point in the
program will not be permitted to complete the program that
month.
What types
of classes are offered in the S.T.A.R.S. Program?
During the two weeks S.T.A.R.S. is in session, the
following classes are taught: Resume Preparation, Job Search
Techniques, Interviewing, Decision Making, Lifeskills and
Job Success. Electives like Career Exploration, Computers
and Back to School are also offered.
TRANSPORTATION
QUESTIONS
Do I
qualify for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation?
You must have a current Medicaid card (except MA-G,
MA-L, and MAUS) for the same month as the Medicaid covered
appointment. If you have a spenddown, it must be paid prior
to receiving services.
How do I
request transportation?
You may request Direct Transportation or a Gas Voucher if you have access to a vehicle.
All requests must be made at least 5 business days prior to
the appointment. For Gas Vouchers call 740-689-6064, Direct
Transportation call 740-687-6063.
What if my
Medicaid appointment changes or cancels?
If you have a Gas Voucher write “VOID” on it and the
Provider Verification and return them to us. If you
requested direct transportation call 740-689-6063 and notify
us of the change. Please refer to the Rights and
Responsibilities for complete details.
BREAKING
OUT QUESTIONS
What is the
Breaking Out Project?
The Breaking Out Project is a grant-funded program aimed
at assisting former offenders rejoin the local community and
workforce. Services provided in this program include
extensive case management, job readiness training tailored
for the ex-offender, and coordination of services with other
social service agencies.
Who is
eligible for Breaking Out?
Residents of Fairfield County with criminal backgrounds
(felony or misdemeanor charges) will be eligible to
participate in Breaking Out services.
How do I
apply for Breaking Out?
If you have stated a prior criminal background when
meeting with your Success Coach and meet the eligibility
criteria stated above, you will be referred to the Breaking
Out Coordinator to discuss participating in the Project.
What if I
have further questions about the Project?
Additional information is available in the [Breaking Out
brochure] or you may also contact the Project Coordinator,
Gina Knight, at 687-7164 if you have additional questions.
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