Cash Assistance

• Ohio Works First (cash assistance) is temporary assistance available to families to help pay for immediate needs while the adults of the family prepare and search for jobs.
• Ohio Works First is a work program. Families receive assistance by spending a minimum of 20 to 35 hours per week (depending on circumstances) working, in school, or in some cases, volunteering at a location that will help them gain work experience for the future. Adults who are unable to find a work or volunteer activity will work closely with their Success Coach to remove any remaining barriers to finding employment.
• Benefits are distributed through the Way2Go card, which can be used like a debit card, or through direct deposit into the individual’s bank account.
• Families may be eligible for the program for up to 36 months, which may be non-consecutive. Ultimately, Ohio Works First allows families to work toward financial stability.
• Ohio Works First is also known as cash assistance or Federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

• Eligibility for Ohio Works First is based on the family’s income and the number of people living in the household. There must be one or more minors (17 years and younger) in the household or a pregnant woman.
• Typically, to qualify for cash assistance a family must meet the “gross monthly income test” which means that their monthly income (both earned and unearned) before taxes is below a certain level. The current gross monthly income for a family of three is $1076.
• The best way to find out if you qualify is to apply.
• There are certain individuals that are not eligible. That list includes, but is not limited to:

    Fugitive felons

    Probation/parole violators

    Individuals convicted of residence fraud

    Individuals that receive SSI

For additional information on general Program Enrollment & Benefit Information.

Once families have been approved for cash assistance, they can receive monthly payments in two ways:

    Through direct deposit into their bank account

    On the Way2Go card

• The card looks similar to and works like a credit or debit card. Your payments are automatically loaded onto the card and can be used at MasterCard, ATM and retailer locations in Ohio to make purchases or receive cash.
• To find out more about the Way2Go card or access your balance and transaction history, visit the Way2Go Website.

Once you receive your appointment letter with the scheduled date and time for your interview, please call 1-844-640-6446 at the designated time.

Interview lines are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

You will receive your interim report by mail. You may submit it in one of the following ways:

• Online (best and fastest): Use the Ohio Benefits Application Portal.
• By Fax: Send your completed JFS 07204 form and verification documents to (740) 689-4848.
• In Person: Drop off documents at 239 W. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130.
• By Mail: Return your completed form and documents to 239 W. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130.

Please Note: Interim reports cannot be completed by phone.

You may need to verify information, especially if circumstances have changed since your last application. Your caseworker will let you know which documents are required. In general, you may need to provide:

• Proof of income from the last 30 days (e.g., two bi-weekly or four weekly pay stubs)
• Documentation of changes in household composition (additions or removals)
• Proof of employment changes (new job or job loss)
• Shelter costs (mortgage, rent, and utilities) must be verified at every application and reapplication

Be sure to write your name and case number or Social Security number on all verification documents.

You will receive an appointment letter by mail with the date and time of your phone interview. During the interview, a caseworker will review your case, ask questions, and identify any additional documents needed.

The sooner you provide any required verification, the faster your case can be processed. Submit documents by:

• Fax: (740) 689-4848
• In Person: 239 W. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130
• Mail: 239 W. Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130

Remember to include your name and case number or Social Security number on all documents.