Cash Assistance, or Ohio Works First (OWF), provides cash assistance for a limited time to low income families under the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. To qualify for OWF, families must have at least one minor child or a pregnant woman must be in her 3rd trimester and meet income standards set by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
OWF is based on a "work first philosophy". To be eligible for benefits, all able-bodied adults are expected to participate in a federally approved work activity, which they will be assigned to during the application process.