Pike County Job and Family Services Benefits

FOOD ASSISTANCE

The Food Assistance program is designed to raise nutritional levels, to expand buying power, and to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals in low income households in Ohio. A household may consist of an individual or a group of individuals who live together and usually purchase, prepare, and eat their food together. In order to qualify for the Food Assistance Program, households must meet several program specific requirements including income limits. To receive Pike County assistance, all able-bodied adults are also required to participate in work program activities. Click here to calculate your potential eligibility and to file an application online.

CASH ASSISTANCE

Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of Ohio's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. OWF was established to provide time-limited assistance to eligible families. OWF provides cash benefits to eligible needy families for up to 36 months. After 36 months, a family cannot receive additional cash assistance unless the County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) approves an extension of benefits. The emphasis of OWF is self-sufficiency, personal responsibility and employment. Click here to file your application online.

HEALTH ASSISTANCE / MEDICAID

The Medicaid program in Ohio provides medical coverage for qualifying individuals and families with limited income. The following links provide income guidelines for 100% of the Federal Poverty Levels. Our eligibility programs range from 90% to 208%. Click here or go to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Medicaid Eligibility
To Qualify for Medicaid, a person needing Pike County assistance must:

Be a US citizen or meet Medicaid citizenship requirements
Be an Ohio resident
Have or get a social security number; and
Meet certain financial requirements

Ohio Medicaid provides coverage to the following:

Adults between the ages of 19 and 65 who meet income guidelines
Children (Up to age 19)
Pregnant Women
Families with children
Adults age 65 and over
Individuals legally blind
Individuals with disabilities
Certain women screened for breast and/or cervical cancer under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Early Detection Program.

How to Apply for Coverage

There are lots of ways you can apply. First, research your options. Which Ohio Medicaid Program would you like? Then start the application process. You can apply online, in person, by mail, or on the phone by calling 844-640-6446.
You may also have an authorized representative apply on your behalf. An authorized representative is an individual, age 18 or older, who stands in your place. You must provide a written statement naming the representative and the duties the authorized representative may perform on your behalf. All notices and correspondence issued by Medicaid must be issued to both you and the authorized representative.
Along with your application, you have an opportunity to register to vote or change your address. Complete the Voter Registration Form and submit it with your application. We will submit your form to the Board of Elections. If you need as- sistance completing this form, please ask for help at the Job and Family Services office. Completing the voter registration form is optional and is not required to apply for any public assistance program.

What happens next?

Case Review - After you apply, you may get a checklist asking for more information that is needed. If you need help getting the information, your case worker can help. After the county office has all necessary information, it may take up to 30 days to make a decision. Your case may be reviewed every 12 months. If there are any changes in your household that might affect your eligibility between your review times, you need to let your case worker know within 10 days. Please call 844-640-6446 to report.
Managed Care - When first approved for Medicaid, most people are automatically approved for Medicaid Managed Care coverage. Shortly after you get on Medicaid you will get a letter asking you to choose a Medicaid Managed Care plan (MCP). Visit or call the Consumer Hotlin e to find out which plans are available in your area. Below are the links to the five managed care plans for Pike County. If you don't choose a plan, Medicaid will choose one for you.

The best way to enroll in Managed Care is online with the Consumer Hotlin e

• Getting Health Care - Managed Care acts just like regular private health insurance. Once you are enrolled in a Managed Care plan, you will get a new card in the mail. Here's what they look like.

Managed Care plans send one permanent card when you enroll. Keep this card for as long as you are on the plan. The plan will also send you information on your doc- tors, health services and scope of coverage from your plan.

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

Child Care assistance is provided to eligible parents to keep Ohio’s families engaged in work and training efforts while on the road to self-sufficiency. Child Care is the stabilizing force that contributes to skilled, healthy Ohioans, successful businesses and strong communities. Subsidized Child Care is provided for eligible families to support the parents’ work and training efforts. ODJFS develops and issues regulations to govern the program and eligibility is determined by County Departments of Job and Family Services. Eligibility reviewed annually. Families receiving this benefit must take their children to child care providers who are licensed by Job and Family Service who have a current contract. The benefit is paid directly to the child care provider or center, and families are expected to pay a part of the cost based on income and family size. Click here to complete a child care application.

For information regarding child support, please visit our Child Support page.

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Adult Protective Services (APS) is the program in Pike County that investigates all reports of elder abuse, self-neglect, neglect and exploitation. APS receives referrals and conducts investigations, evaluating each situation and determining what services, if any, are needed in order to ensure that the elderly are able to reside in a safe and secure environment. All referrals are confidential and may be submitted by phone call, email, fax, written statement or in person (no appointment is needed). You do not have to give APS your name when you make a report or referral. Click here to make a referral.

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE

Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) is a statewide program administered by the County Department of Job & Family Services for Medicaid eligible customers. NET provides transportation to and from Medicaid providers. Transportation authorization is in the form of gas vouchers or through a contracted transportation provider. You must give 5 working days’ notice in order to receive assistance for eligible appointments.

Who is eligible?

- You have a current Medicaid card for the same month as your appointment.
- Your appointment is for a service paid by Medicaid
∙- You are pregnant and have applied for Medicaid
∙- You have given a minimum of 5 working days’ notice of your appointment

PRC PROGRAM

PRC stands for Prevention, Retention and Contingency and is a plan which provides non-ongoing cash assistances which will help divert and prevent reliance on cash assistance and help provide members gain or retain employment in order to achieve or continue self-sufficiency. In addition, it provides services in which to divert threats to the safety, health or well-being of one or more of the PRC AG (Assistance Group) members. AG's must include a minor child or pregant female of 6 months or more.

Current Assistance and Amounts

- Employment Related -

- Clothing (uniforms or appropriate clothing including boots/shoes) - $175 cap
- Transportation (auto repairs - $650 cap) (gasoline for new employment to and from new job until first paycheck $100 cap) (towing $100 cap)
- Educational (short-term employment related, testing, pre-employment training including mandatory clothing or miscellaneous items for students working towards certifications in medical fields, etc - $250 cap)
- Miscellaneous Job Related Expenses (phone, tools, safety equipment, license/cert. fees - $200 cap) (mandatory drug testing for employment - $45 cap) (mandatory background check - $70 cap).

*** THE ABOVE CAN BE MIXED AND MATCHED FOR THE TOTAL OF $1275 MAX

- Contingency - ($250 cap)

- Clothing (lost due to natural/man-made calamity)
- Necessary Household Expenses (minor household repairs if client is homeowner) (repair, replacement and purchase of necessary appliances) (household goods)

- Disaster-Related PRC-
In the event that a disaster, which includes Pike County, is declared by the Governor, supplemental funding for disaster-related PRC assistance and services will be utilized. Funds will only be available on or after the date Pike County has been declared to be under the state of emergency by the Governor.

- Other PRC Programs-
The Pike County PRC plan is reviewed often and revised/added to according to the current budget. Current needs of the community are taken into consideration when new programs are added. Call or see Facebook page for other special programs.

ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility is determined by the completion of a PRC application obtained by visiting or calling our office. All income for the past 30 days for everyone in the household must be submitted with the application. Applicants must be a resident of Pike County and must have a minor child or pregnant female (at least 6 months) residing in the AG as a condition of eligibility. Non-residential parents whose children reside in Ohio and receive assistance may also be eligibile. The AG must be at or under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level to qualify for assistance.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS PAGE IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE PIKE COUNTY PRC. THERE MAY BE MORE VERIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES REQUIRED ACCORDING TO EACH AG CIRCUMSTANCE. THIS INFORMATION IS TO BE USED AS A GUIDE. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 740-947-2171 AND ASK TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE PRC PROGRAM.