You have the right to submit an application for assistance at any time.

If an interview is required to determine your eligibility for assistance, you will be scheduled for a phone interview. If you do not have a phone, or are unable to complete your eligibility interview by phone, it is possible to be scheduled for a face-to-face interview. If you are unable to complete a phone interview and require a face-to-face, your interview may take up to an hour to an hour and a half. We suggest, if possible, that you do not bring children.

When you are scheduled for a phone interview this means that one of our caseworkers will call you on the specific date and time indicated on your appointment letter. The caseworker will make two attempts to contact you. If they are unable to reach you it will be considered a “missed interview” and you will have to reschedule. Please remember that missing your phone interview will delay your benefits.

The phone interview will take approximately 45 minutes. We will ask questions about everyone who lives in your home. Please have dates of birth and social security numbers available. A list of verifications which may be needed is attached to the letter scheduling your phone interview. During the interview, we will tell you what must be brought into the agency, faxed in or mailed in before a decision can be made on your application.

If you need the time changed because of school or employment, please call 513-695-1424 immediately.

Nursing Home Applications

The application process described above does not apply to those applying for help with the cost of nursing home care. An appointment will be scheduled with a family member or an authorized representative after an application has been received for residents of long term care facilities.

Healthy Start Applications

Applicants for Healthy Start do not need to complete an interview. Simply send in a completed application with copies of recent pay stubs, student income, identification documentation if not already on file, pregnancy verification (if applicable), child support paid or received, daycare expenses and any other necessary verifications. Applicants can download the Healthy Start application from our site by completing the Programs Application- JFS 7216. You can call the Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-8680 who can give you general information and assistance in filling out the application. The hotline is staffed seven (7) days a week. You may also call 513-695-1420 and request a Healthy Start application be mailed to you. After completing the application, you may mail it back to us in the enclosed stamped self addressed envelope, bring it in or fax it to us at 513-695-2702. Applications can also be found online at http://benefits.ohio.gov.

• For all other programs, you may complete an application online by visiting http://benefits.ohio.gov or visit the Online Forms Section of our website to complete an application.
• If you complete an application via our website you will need to either, mail, fax, or drop off your application.
• You may visit our office to request an application between the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday, except holidays.
• You may also call 513-695-1420 or 513-695-1418 and request an application be mailed to you.

Change Reporting

If any changes occur in your household (if anyone moves in or out, starts working or receiving other income), be sure to call your caseworker to report the changes. You must report all changes within ten (10) days to prevent overpayments.

You may complete a change form from our website by completing the Reporting Changes Form and submitting it to our agency. Or if you have registered with ODJFS you may select the My Case option and submit changes online by visiting http://benefits.ohio.gov.

Periodically, usually every six (6) to twelve (12) months, you will receive a reapplication packet and be assigned an appointment for a phone interview to reassess or re-determine your benefits. You should provide pay stubs or check stubs to verify your income, a rent receipt and utility bills to verify your shelter cost and any other document your caseworker may request.