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Ohio Works First

• Employment
• Personal Responsibility
• Self-Sufficiency

• Families with at least one child under age 18, or age 19 if still in high school
• Women who are at least six months pregnant

• Be referred for a child support interview, if needed
• Pre-employment screening to access strengths and barriers to participating in activities and finding employment
• Assessment and assignment interview to determine work requirements and develop a Self-Sufficiency Contract and Plan
• Applicant Job Readiness program, if required

• one or more parents where all the parents in the home receive Supplemental Security Income
• a legal guardian or custodian
• a relative who is not included in the assistance group. In these circumstances, children are exempt from the work requirement. There is also no limit to how long they can receive benefits.

• Fugitive felons
• Probation/parole violators
• Individuals convicted for fraudulently misstating where they live to receive benefits
• Individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income
• Families receiving adoption assistance payments or foster care maintenance payments
• Families with income that exceeds the amount for the assistance group size

• Deposited directly into a checking or savings account
• Automatically loaded onto an Ohio Pathway card. The Ohio Pathway card can be used at MasterCard member banks, ATMs, and any retailers that accept MasterCard.

The Process for Applying

1. Apply online
2. Call 844-640-OHIO (6446), Mon – Fri 8am to 4pm
3. Visit your local library for help applying online, by phone, or by fax
4. In-person at a Neighborhood Family Service Center

Programs

Child Care Assistance Program

The Child Care Assistance Program can help you cover part of the cost of child care while you are working or in school. Eligible residents can choose from hundreds of licensed care programs to find the one that best meets their needs.

Emergency (Expedited) Food Assistance

Cuyahoga County residents may be eligible for a faster decision on food assistance applications if they meet certain criteria.

Medicaid

Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of low-income Americans. Like other health insurance plans, Medicaid can help pay for doctor’s visits, hospital expenses, long-term care, and more.

Related Information

Aspire

Cuyahoga County and your local library systems want to make it easier than ever before to access benefits resources while connecting with education and workforce development programs at the library.

The Workforce Opportunity Resource Center is a collaboration with local community partners, in the creation of job growth and opportunities for all Cuyahoga residents. The focus is on customers’ career and wage advancement through job driven, sector specific training plus public benefits supports.

Helping the emerging workforce prepare for and find meaningful employment is key to Ohio’s economic success, and to breaking the cycle of poverty for thousands of Ohioans.