Ohio Works First was established to provide time-limited cash assistance to eligible families through Ohio’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, which emphasizes employment, personal responsibility and self-sufficiency. Cash Assistance is provided to eligible families for up to 36 months.
Ohio Works First Public Service Announcement
ODJFS Directors Message Regarding Ohio Works First
Case managers work with each adult participant to evaluate his/her skills, abilities and barriers to becoming employed. From this assessment, an individualized self-sufficiency contract is developed that defines the participant's obligations that must be fulfilled if they are to receive cash benefits as well as the supportive services that can be provided by the agency.
Eligibility is based on the family's income and the number of people living in the home. In addition, adults must be working or involved in an approved work activity for at least 35 hours per week.
Ohio Works First has the following additional requirements:
Failure to sign the self-sufficiency contract without good cause can result in sanctions affecting the entire family, such as denial or termination of benefits. The contract explains the requirements for the participant and the requirements for the County Department of Job and Family Services.
Assistance groups are NOT eligible if they include an individual who:
Other Individuals who are NOT eligible include:
You may apply for Ohio Works First online by visiting http://benefits.ohio.gov, or by filling out the for Cash, Food and Medical Assistance” (JFS 7200) form and submitting it to Warren County Department of Human Services either via mail, fax, or in person. You may select this application and complete it, print it, and submit to our office.
Please allow 30 days for processing of all public assistance cases.
Due to a large amount of applications and re-certifications most cases will take the full 30 days to process.
We greatly apologize for this inconvenience.
