Ohio Works First (OWF) provides time-limited cash assistance to families meeting the eligibility rules. A self-sufficiency contract (SSC) is required of all adults. The purpose of the SSC is to document both agency and the individual’s responsibilities in pursuing the goal of becoming self-sufficient. All adults are required to be assessed as part of the process of developing the SSC. The assessment is a review of work history, education and interests.

All required participants must sign a SSC in order to have the cash assistance released to them. The SSC establishes work activities and other obligations the recipients must fulfill in order to continue to receive these benefits; it also outlines the supportive services the county will provide to the participants.

Households whose gross monthly income is within 130% of the poverty level based on household size. whose monthly income after all allowable expenses is within 100% of the poverty level, and whose resources (cash, savings, stocks, etc.) do not exceed $2,000 ($3,000 if a person is at least 60 years old) may qualify for benefits. These income and resource limits do not apply if everyone in the household receives income from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Ohio Works First (OWF) or Ohio’s Disability Assistance program (DA). SSI and OWF members are resource eligible.

At the time of application some items such as income and expenses will require verification. If the household has little or no income and resources the household may be eligible to receive benefits right away pending required verification, except identity. Normal processing requires that benefits be issued or the application denied within 30 days after the date the application is filed.

Food stamp benefits can be used to buy food or food products intended for human consumption except alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and hot food and hot food products prepared to be eaten immediately. You cannot sell or trade food stamp benefits; buy non-food items; use food stamp benefits to buy food for someone who is not a member of the household.

Note: This is only basic information. An accurate determination of eligibility for food stamps requires an application be filed and an interview conducted regarding each household’s specific situation. Contact your local County Department of Human Services. USDA prohibits discrimination in the administration of its programs. Complaints may be filed by writing to the Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.

Healthy Start is a type of health insurance that helps low-income families get health care. It can help pregnant women at any age, infants, children and teens up to age 19. This health insurance can help you with medical services you need at no cost to you. These services include routine medical care, treatment or hospitalization.

If you are pregnant and your income is low, you may be able to get Healthy Start. Children under age 19 may also be eligible. Healthy Start may be able to help you even if you or your husband work. You may be able to get Healthy Start even if you own a house or car or have other medical insurance.

Income limits for Healthy Start are much higher than they are for regular Medicaid. Your income limit depends on the size of your family, including unborn children. To learn more, call your county department of human services or the Medicaid Consumer hotline at 1-800-324-8680 (TTY/TDD for hearing impaired 1-800-292-3572).

The child can continue Ohio Medicaid eligibility as long as his/her home remains with you.

A spenddown is the amount of your income that exceeds the Medicaid need standard. The current (2003) standard for Medicaid is $479 for a single person and $829 for a couple.

For a single person, it is $1500, and for a married couple, it is $2,250.

Abuse represents an action against a child. It is an act of commission. Generally, abuse is categorized as follows:

  • Physical Abuse: The non-accidental injury to a child.
  • Sexual Abuse: Any act of a sexual nature upon or with a child. The act may be for the sexual gratification of the perpetrator or a third party. This would, therefore, include not only anyone who actively participated in the sexual activity, but also anyone who allowed or encouraged it.
  • Emotional Abuse: Chronic attitude or acts which interfere with the psychological or social development of a child. Each of us is guilty of having unkindly snubbed a child or having criticized him too harshly, but emotional abuse is consistent and chronic behavior. It usually is related to a constellation of interactions and is cumulative.

Neglect is a failure to act on behalf of a child. It is an act of omission. Neglect may be thought of as child-rearing practices which are essentially inadequate or dangerous. It may not produce visible signs, and it usually occurs over a period of time. Neglect may be physical or emotional.

  • Physical Neglect: Failure to meet the requirements basic to a child’s physical development, such as supervision, housing, clothing, medical attention, nutrition and support. For purposes of reporting, some agencies may further break this category into more specific acts of omission, such as medical neglect, lack of proper supervision or educational neglect.
  • Emotional Neglect: Failure to provide the support or affection necessary to a child’s psychological and social development. Failure on the part of the parent to provide the praise, nurturance, love or security essential to the child’s development of a sound and healthy personality may constitute emotional neglect.

The effects of extreme deprivation can be seen in the medical syndrome “non-organic failure to thrive.” Failure to thrive is a condition in which children show a marked retardation or cessation of growth. On a normal growth chart, failure to thrive children usually fall below the 3rd percentile.

  • The name and address of the child you suspect is being abused or neglected.
  • The age of the child.
  • The name and address of the parent or caretaker of the child.
  • The reason you suspect the child is being abused or neglected.
  • Any other information which may be helpful to the investigation.
  • Your name, if you want to give it. You may report anonymously if you choose, but you are encouraged to give your name. This makes it possible for the children’s protective services worker to get in touch with you later if additional or clarifying information is needed.

**Note: The reporting source is not made known to the parties involved with the abuse/neglect if the reporter does choose to leave his/her name. If you are a mandated reporter, you may be required by the children services agency to follow up your verbal report in writing. This request generally is made if your report is based on specific diagnostic information or if an agreement exists between your agency of employment and Children Services.

It is helpful if you provide as much of this information as you can. You should not hesitate to report if you do not have all the information. Any uncertainty regarding whether to report should be resolved in favor of the child’s protection.

The Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) Program, connects resources with those families who hit a snag and need a little extra help. Delaware County Job and Family Services works with families to achieve their goal of self-sufficiency. We use a common sense approach to meet these goals:

  • Divert families from applying for cash assistance to solve short-term problems.
  • Keep employed parents on the job.
  • Take care of isolated emergencies before they turn into crises.

This program is designed to help families with urgent needs which left unattended, could result in the family requiring public assistance. By helping families address short-term needs, services will be provided with the expectation that families will overcome the immediate barriers to achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.

Families who have a minor child or a pregnant woman in the household, and income is less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines should apply.

  • Auto Repairs (Individual needs to be working at least 30 hours every week.)
  • Education (Short term tuition, school books, supplies)
  • Equipment for employment (i.e. uniforms, tools.)

Call (740) 833-2300 and ask for the fraud unit and they will gather information from you about the suspected fraud. You may report anonymously if you choose, but you are encouraged to give your name. This makes it possible for the Benefit Recovery Worker to get in touch with you later if additional or clarifying information is needed.