Cash, Food, and Medical Assistance

For Public Assistance Questions:

Call 1-800-935-0242, Option 5

Income Maintenance Workers at ACJFS determine

eligibility for several public assistance programs:

Cash Assistance (OWF)
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Medicaid, including Nursing Home and Waiver programs
Medicare Premium Assistance Programs
Healthchek and Pregnancy-Related Services

In addition to determining eligibility for public assistance programs, the Income Maintenance department also assists the community with the following services:

Investigation of reported public assistance fraud
Access to publicly and privately-funded Prescription Assistance programs
Transportation assistance to and from medical appointments

Applicants and recipients of public assistance programs have the following responsibilities:

Completing scheduled interviews
Reporting certain household changes, such as changes in income and residence
Providing the income, resource/asset, housing, and other verifications needed to make a determination of benefit eligibility based on State and Federal regulations

Cash, Food, and Medicine

Call Center

Call Center, Option 5
1-800-935-0242

If you have applied for or are currently receiving public assistance, our Customer Service Specialists are trained to assist you in the following areas:

Case status and general case information
Ongoing benefit information
Date of benefit approval and issuance
Medicaid billing number and begin date of coverage
Scheduling and rescheduling appointments
Appointment date/time information
Referrals to other agencies for additional assistance
Contact information for the Cash Assistance EPPICard, Food Assistance EBT Card, and Medicaid HMO providers

In addition, the following changes can be reported to the agency through the Call Center:

Addition of a household member or newborn
Address/residence changes
Case transfer to another county
Case termination
Child care expense increase or decrease
Child Support changes
Income and employment changes
Medical expense changes
Phone number changes
Rent, mortgage, property tax, homeowners' insurance, and utility responsibility changes
Removal of a household member
Resource/asset changes

OWF Cash Assistance

What is OWF?

Ohio Works First (OWF) provides cash benefits to needy families
OWF is a time-limited program - adults are only eligible for 36 months of OWF in their lifetimes
Benefits are issued via Direct Deposit or on an EPPICard, which works like a debit card

The following individuals are potentially eligible for OWF if they meet the initial eligibility test and the income, residence, citizenship, and work requirements of the program:

Pregnant women entering or in the third trimester of pregnancy
Single or married adults with minor dependent children in the home
Unmarried minor parents and pregnant minors
Minor children who live with someone other than a parent

What are the program eligibility requirements?

Completion of an application and interview with a caseworker
Assessment with an Employment Service Counselor (ESC)
Signing a Self-Sufficiency Contract with the ESC
Weekly participation in the JOBS Program as coordinated by the ESC

What is the initial eligibility test and payment standard for my household size?

The OWF initial eligibility test is a monthly income standard; those whose incomes fall under the standard are potentially eligible to receive OWF
Payment standards and initial eligibility test standards on the following chart are listed monthly
Please click on the link for OWF eligibility standards:
- https://jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/OWFPaymentStandards.stm

What happens if I fail to cooperate with the JOBS Program?

The adult who failed to comply with the JOBS Program will be removed from SNAP benefits
The entire assistance group will be sanctioned from receiving OWF for a minimum time period or until they comply with the JOBS Program
The length of the sanction depends on the number of previous sanctions imposed on the adult who failed to comply with the JOBS Program:

For third occurrence and all subsequent sanctions, the adult who failed to comply with the JOBS Program will also be removed from Medicaid until compliance with the sanction has been achieved

How do I apply for OWF?

Click https://benefits.ohio.gov/ for more information

What are some other information sites about the OWF Program?

EPPICard Changes (Cash / RCA)

SNAP

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

What is SNAP?

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps low-income adults and families stretch their monthly food budgets and buy healthy food
SNAP is not designed to feed an adult or family for an entire month. It is designed to supplement the money adults and families already spend on food
Benefits are issued electronically each month through an Ohio Direction Card, which is used like a debit card

What can I buy with the Ohio Direction Card?

Most food products

What can I not buy with the Ohio Direction Card?

Prepared food from restaurants and grocery stores
Non-food items such as soap, paper products, and cleaning supplies
Alcohol
Tobacco
Vitamins and medicines
Pet food

Who is eligible for SNAP?

Adults, families, and children are potentially eligible for SNAP if the income, residence, and citizenship requirements are met
To check your potential eligibility for SNAP, visit the ODJFS Benefits website at https://benefits.ohio.gov/

What are the income and eligibility guidelines?

Eligibility is based on gross monthly income
Generally, adults and families with gross monthly incomes under 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible to receive some sort of SNAP
Monthly benefits are determined by comparing an adult or family's gross monthly income to their child care expenses, child support payments, and housing/utility costs
In certain instances, a medical expense deduction from gross monthly income can be applied to assistance groups with elderly and/or disabled individuals
Please click on the link for OWF eligibility standards:
- https://jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/OWFPaymentStandards.stm

Do I have to participate in a Work Experience Program to receive SNAP?

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDS) who do not meet a program exemption must either be employed 20 hours per week or participate in a Work Experience Program through ACJFS to receive SNAP

How do I apply for SNAP?

Click here for more information

For more information on the SNAP program, please visit the following sites:

Changes to SNAP Benefit Amounts - 2023
Changes to SNAP Benefit Amounts - 2023 | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)

ConnectEBT Mobile App

The ConnectEBT mobile app is now the official mobile app of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio is rolling out the ConnectEBT mobile app for SNAP benefit cards. All other apps are not created or supported by Ohio’s contracted EBT vendor. You can now use the secure ConnectEBT app which is associated and connected directly with your official account! To download the app, search your smart phone’s app store for ConnectEBT. Once logged into the app you can view your balance and purchase history, change your pin, activate your card, and report your card lost, stolen or damaged.

New Card Lock Feature

To assist Ohioans in securing their SNAP benefits, a new card lock feature became available on July 1, 2023 in the ConnectEBT mobile app. The card lock feature allows the cardholder to lock their card when not in use. Cardholder should consider setting their card to a locked status until they are actively making a purchase with the EBT card. Once the purchase is successful the cardholder can then lock their card again using the ConnectEBT mobile app.

Locking Your EBT Card

Unlocking Your EBT Card

Civil Rights / Non-Discrimination Policy

Click Here

Ashtabula County
Food Pantries

Ashtabula Food Pantries 1 - Rev 11-2023.jpg

Medicaid

What is Medicaid?

A government insurance program for persons with limited income and assets or resources

What are the eligibility guidelines?

The guidelines are different for each Medicaid program the State of Ohio offers
All applicants and recipients must verify their income
Some individuals must also verify their resources (assets such as a car, bank accounts, property, etc.) as an eligibility requirement

What are the different Medicaid programs the State of Ohio offers?

Click on the links for more information on each program:

What medical services does Medicaid cover?

Generally, each program (with the exception of the MPAP and BCCP programs) must cover the same services for all individuals
For a list of covered services, click here to be directed to the Ohio Department of Medicaid's website

MAGI Medicaid

MAGI Medicaid for Adults, Children, & Families

What does MAGI mean?

MAGI stands for Modified Adjusted Gross Income
MAGI-based budgeting is used to calculate a person's household size and income, using federal income tax rules and a tax filer's family size to determine eligibility for Medicaid
The MAGI Medicaid program started January 1, 2014, as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Who is potentially eligible for MAGI Medicaid?

Single, childless adults
Married, childless couples
Families with children ages 19 and under
Children up to age 19

What are the income guidelines?

It depends. There are different categories of MAGI Medicaid. All guidelines are based on gross (before taxes) income:

Parents and Caretaker Relatives (grandparents raising grandchildren, aunts raising nieces/nephews, etc.): up to 90% of the federal poverty level for their household size
Expansion Adults (all adults, including Parents and Caretaker Relatives who are not eligible at the step above): up to 133% of the federal poverty level for their household size
Children with Insurance: up to 156% of the federal poverty level for their household size
Pregnant Women: up to 200% of the federal poverty level for their household size
Children without Insurance: up to 206% of the federal poverty level for their household size

Review the latest standards for MAGI Medicaid eligibility at: https://medicaid.ohio.gov/families-and-individuals/coverage/who-qualifies.

How do I apply for MAGI Medicaid?

The best way to apply is online at https://benefits.ohio.gov/
Click (link for ‘How to Apply’ page on website) for a list of other ways to apply for Medicaid

Where can I go for more information?

Ohio Department of Medicaid's Frequently Asked Questions page
Call the Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680
If you currently have an open MAGI Medicaid case in Ashtabula County and have a specific question regarding your individual case, call the ACJFS Call Center at 1-800-935-0242, option 5.

ABD Medicaid

Who is potentially eligible for ABD Medicaid?

Adults aged 65 and older, or
Individuals who are legally blind or disabled per the Social Security Administration (SSA) --these people usually receive SSI or RSDI income from the SSA

What are some other eligibility guidelines?

All recipients must be Ohio residents
Individuals cannot own over $2,000 worth of countable resources. Resources are assets such as vehicles, life insurance policies, property, and bank accounts. Certain resources are exempt, such as one vehicle and someone's residence; others count toward the $2,000 resource limit. For a married couple, the resource limit is $3,000
All household income must be verified
SSI income does not count in the ABD Medicaid budget but must be verified
The income limit for a single individual is $794 and the income limit for a couple is $1,191.

How do I apply for ABD Medicaid?

The easiest way is online at https://www.benefits.ohio.gov/
For a list of other ways to apply for ABD Medicaid, click (link for ‘How to Apply’ page on website)

Where can I go if I have additional questions on ABD Medicaid?

Call the Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680
Visit the Ohio Department of Medicaid's website at http://medicaid.ohio.gov/HOME.aspx

ABD Medicaid

MBIWD

MBIWD Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities

What is MBIWD?

Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities, or MBIWD, is an Ohio Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to working Ohioans with disabilities.

Who is eligible for MBIWD?

The following criteria must be met for the individual applying:

U.S. Citizen or qualified alien
Ohio resident
ages 16-64 years old
Be disabled as per the Social Security Administration or as determined by Ohio Medicaid or eligible under the MBIWD medically improved category
Be employed in paid work (includes part-time and full-time work)

What are the financial and non-financial eligibility requirements?

Own resources (assets such as a vehicle, bank accounts, and property) valuing less than $12,175
Annual income of the individual must be less than or equal to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (in 2018, $30,360 per year or $2,530 per month)

Does MBIWD have a monthly premium?

You may have a monthly premium if your annual gross income exceeds 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (in 2018, $18,216 per year or $1518 per month)
Premiums are based on income, family size, and certain deductions such as health insurance premiums
If subject to a premium, you will receive a monthly statement requesting payment of the premium
Failure to pay the premium for two consecutive months results in termination of MBIWD; eligibility can only be regained by paying all back premiums due as well as by meeting all other eligibility requirements of the program

For further information, please visit the following links:

MPAP

MPAP Medicare Premium Assistance Programs

What is the MPAP?

MPAP stands for Medicare Premium Assistance Programs
These programs help pay Medicare-related costs such as monthly premiums
There are three different MPAP's in the State of Ohio
MPAP's are commonly referred to as "State Buy-In"

Who is eligible for MPAP?

Medicare recipients of all ages
Certain income and resource (assets such as bank accounts, vehicles, or property) requirements must be met
All MPAP recipients must be Ohio residents

What are the different types of MPAP's, and what are the income guidelines for each program?

The three different MPAP's are QMB, SLMB, and QI-1
For all programs, income limits are based on gross monthly income (i.e., income amount before monthly Medicare premium is paid) of the Medicare recipient and spouse (if living in the home). The income of a child or children under age 18 in the home is exempt

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary)

QMB covers Medicare Part A & B premiums as well as Medicare deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments

SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary)

SLMB pays a Medicare recipient's Part B premium only

QI-1 (Qualifying Individual)

QI-1 pays the Medicare Part B premium only
If you qualify for Medicaid, you cannot receive QI-1

What are the resource limits for each program?

The resource limits for all MPAP's are the same:

A single individual cannot own more than $7,970 of countable resources
A married couple cannot own more than $11,960 of countable resources
The home an individual/couple resides in, one vehicle used for transportation, one burial plot per person, and irrevocable burial contracts are exempt resources
Examples of countable resources are bank accounts, cash values of life insurance policies, values of annuities, values of revocable burial contracts, value of property other than the principal residence, value of vehicles other than one used for transportation

How do I apply?

Print the ODM 7216 Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs and submit to ACJFS
Click (link for ‘How to Apply’ page on website) for a list of other ways to apply

For more information, please refer to the following:

Medicare.gov website
Ohio Department of Medicaid
Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680

Nursing Home and LTC

Nursing Home and Long-Term Care (LTC)

Contact at Ashtabula-LTC@jfs.ohio.gov

Who is eligible for Nursing Home and LTC services through Medicaid?

Individuals whose disabilities or medically unstable conditions cannot be cared for at home or in an assisted living setting. This is called a "Level of Care"
Individuals with developmental disabilities can receive services through an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ICF-IDD)
Individuals must meet the income, resource (asset), disability, and citizenship requirements of Medicaid to be eligible

What are the resource (asset) requirements?

For a single individual, the resource limit is $2,000
For a married couple, a "resource assessment" is completed. This determines how much of a couple's resources are protected for the spouse not applying for Nursing Home or LTC services
For all applicants, a five-year review of resources (starting with the date nursing home or LTC services begin) is completed. Case workers determine if any "improper transfer of resources" have occurred. If they have, the individual may still be eligible for Medicaid but would be subject to a penalty period. During the penalty period, Medicaid would not pay for the individual's Nursing Home or LTC services

What are the income regulations?

All income of the person applying, and their spouse must be verified
A "Monthly Income Allowance" (MIA) is determined. This is the income the applicant's spouse, and their dependents can keep using for self-support
A "Personal Needs Allowance" (PNA) of $50 is given to the spouse receiving Nursing Home or LTC services
All other income goes directly to the Nursing Home or LTC Facility. This amount is called "patient liability"

How do I apply for this program?

Apply online at the following website: https://benefits.ohio.gov

Complete a JFS 7200 Request for Cash, SNAP, and Medical Assistance and submit via U.S. Mail, Fax (440) 998-1538, e-mail Ashtabula-LTC@jfs.ohio.gov, or drop off at the ACJFS lobby.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

Waiver Program

Waiver Programs

What is the Medicaid Waiver Program?

In-home health care program for Medicaid-eligible individuals
Waivers make it possible for the elderly and those with disabilities and chronic conditions to remain active participants in their communities and to have more control of their lives

Who is potentially eligible for the Waiver Program?

Individuals receiving or eligible for Medicaid
Individuals must have a disability or chronic condition of some sort to receive Waiver services
Individuals must be residents of Ohio

What services are covered by the Waiver Program?

There are several different types of Waiver Programs. However, in general, most of them provide services such as:

Adult day health care
Home-delivered meals
Home care attendant
Emergency response system
Personal care aide
Convenience of having services provided at home

What are the different types of Waiver Programs?

Assisted Living Waiver
Choices Waiver
Individual Options (MRDD)
Level One Waiver (MRDD)
Ohio Home Care Waiver (OHCW)
PASSPORT Waiver
Transitions Carve Out Waiver (T2)

Are there income and resource (asset) standards for the Waiver Program?

Yes. However, the maximum income and resource standards vary depending on the type of Waiver Program a person applies for.
If an individual or couple's income exceeds the income standards, they may be subject to a "patient liability". A patient liability is the amount an individual or couple must pay each month to receive Waiver services

How do I apply for the Waiver Program?

Print the ODM 2399 Request for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services and a JFS 7200 Application for Assistance and submit them via U.S. Mail, Fax ((440) 998-1538), e-mail to ashtabula-verfications@jfs.ohio.gov, or drop off at the ACJFS lobby.

Where can I go for more information?

Healthchek

Healthchek and Pregnancy-Related Services

Healthchek

What is Healthchek?

An Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program for children and teens under 21
The goal of Healthchek is to discover and treat health problems early

What services does a Healthchek exam cover?

Physical check-ups
Comprehensive health and developmental history
Health education, counseling, and risk factor interventions
Hearing, vision, and dental checks
Nutritional screenings
Mental health screenings
Developmental screenings
Shots (if needed)
Appropriate lab tests
Treatment for all medically necessary ailments

When are Healthchek screenings scheduled?

8 Healthchek exams by age 1
Additional Healthchek exams at 15, 18, 24, and 30 months
Subsequent Healthchek screenings yearly until age 21

Who is eligible for Healthchek?

All children and teens under 21 who receive Medicaid

Pregnancy-Related Services

What is the Pregnancy-Related Services (PRS) Program?

Medical services provided in addition to regular prenatal care
The goal of PRS is to promote a healthy pregnancy

What services does the program cover?

Access to medical appointments
Information about Healthchek services available for your child once born
Referral to Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Individual counseling and education
Assistance making and getting to/from medical appointments
Information on Lamaze, parenting, and child care classes
Information about healthy eating habits
Prenatal risk assessment and prenatal care

Who is eligible for Pregnancy-Related Services?

All pregnant women receiving Medicaid

For more information about the Healthchek and Pregnancy-Related Services Programs, please visit the following links:

BCCP

Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP)

What is BCCP?

A program administered through the State of Ohio --this program is NOT administered through ACJFS or any other County Department of Job & Family Services
The program generally covers breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic testing, and case management services free of charge to eligible Ohio women

Where can I apply for BCCP?

Please follow the following links for more information as this is not a program the case workers at ACJFS determine eligibility for:
Ohio Department of Health
Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio
My Body Matters

PRC

Prevention, Retention, and Contingency

Ohio's Prevention, Retention, and Contingency program provides work supports and other services to help low-income parents overcome immediate barriers to employment. It is funded through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Those receiving assistance from other public assistance programs-including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) - also may be eligible for PRC service.

PRC services vary between counties based on community needs. Each county has a PRC plan stating the types of services available in that county and the eligibility criteria for them. Applications are currently being taken for the following services:

Vehicle Repairs
Utilities (Past Due, Disconnects, Shut-off notices)
Stove/Refrigerator (Repair or Replace)
Washer/Dryer (Repair or Replace)
Beds (Need based on emergent, crisis or natural disaster - Referral required from community agency - e.g., LCCS, Genesis House, Red Cross, Health Dept)
Employment-related expenses
GED incentive payments
School Fees
Delinquent Mortgage
Delinquent Property Taxes
Home Repairs
Pest Removal Services
Auto Insurance
Driver's Education Classes

Applications can be obtained by calling (800) 935-0242, ext. 5, stopping by the agency, or clicking on the following link (click here for Forms page). Applications can be submitted via mail, fax, email, or in the lobby drop box.

Fraud Hotline

What is public assistance fraud?

Public assistance fraud is intentionally lying about income or circumstances to receive benefits, and/or the failure to reveal information which affects eligibility for benefits

What are the different types of public assistance fraud?

Child care provider fraud - for example, a provider billing the county for child care services that weren't provided
Child care assistance fraud
SNAP recipient fraud --for example, a person failing to report income or employment, or a person failing to report their spouse/significant other in the home
SNAP store fraud - for example, a storeowner knowingly accepting SNAP benefits in exchange for alcohol, tobacco, or other non-food items
Medicaid Provider fraud - for example, a doctor's office billing Medicaid for services that were not performed
Medicaid recipient fraud
OWF (Cash Assistance) recipient fraud

Who can report public assistance fraud?

ANYONE can report public assistance fraud anonymously to ACJFS

How can I report public assistance fraud?

E-mail the State using the following website: http://jfs.ohio.gov/fraud/index.stm
Print off the Fraud Reporting Form and submit to ACJFS
Call ACJFS toll-free, at 1-800-935-0242 and ask for the Public Assistance Fraud Unit.

How to Apply