Food Assistance

Food Assistance helps families stretch their food budgets to buy healthy food. The program is designed to increase nutritional levels and safeguard the health and well-being of Fairfield County residents.  Benefits are distributed on a “Ohio Direction Card” which can be used like a debit card at the grocery store.

Healthy people under 60 also participate in Food Assistance Employment and Training (FAET) while receiving food assistance to help them gain work experience and move toward self-sufficiency.

Ultimately, food assistance helps families meet their basic needs while adults work toward financial stability.

Food Assistance (formerly known as the food stamp program) is known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Do I qualify?

Eligibility for food assistance is complex – based on family size, income and expenses – but both families and individuals may be eligible to receive food assistance.

You may qualify for benefits if your household’s gross monthly income is at or under 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Some households may qualify if they have incomes over the limit if someone in the household is elderly or disabled. To get a better idea of if you may qualify, use the USDA’s food assistance calculator or apply for food assistance.

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 a Success Coach to remove any remaining barriers to finding employment.

Benefits are distributed through the EPPIcard, 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)

Do I Qualify?

Eligibility for Ohio Works First is based on the family’s income and the number of people living in the household. Minor children and women who are at least six months pregnant and in an approved living arrangement may also be eligible.

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 gross monthly income for a family of three is currently $773, but this increases annually. The best way to find out for sure if you qualify is to apply.

There are certain individuals that are not eligible for Ohio Works First. That list includes:

• Fugitive felons
• Probation/parole violators
• Individuals convicted for fraudulent misstatement of residence in order to receive benefits.
• Individuals that receive Supplemental Security Income
• Families that receive adoption assistance payments or federal, state or local foster care maintenance payments

Other individuals may also not be eligible, but are not included in the list above.

Medical Assistance

Medicaid (medical assistance) provides health care coverage to individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to health care. The program is designed to safeguard the health and well-being of Fairfield County residents, particularly children, pregnant women, elderly, and individuals with disabilities. By keeping the community in good health, Medicaid allows individuals to remain productive members of society.

Like health care coverage, Medicaid may pay for part of the cost of visits to the doctor, hospital expenses, nursing home care and home health care. In some cases, transportation to scheduled doctor’s appointments may also be available.

Medicaid programs include Healthy Start; Healthy Families; Healthchek; Pregnancy-related services; and Aged, Blind and Disabled among others. Individuals who receive Medicare, but whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, may be eligible for the Medicare Premium Assistance Program.

Do I Qualify?

Fairfield County Job and Family Services administers several different types of Medicaid but eligibility is usually based on income and circumstances. Medicaid programs provide health care coverage to:

• Income-eligible single individuals and families with children
• Preventive and treatment services up to age 21
• Pregnant women
• Older adults
• Income-eligible people with disabilities
• Children in foster care