Latest News & Updates from LCDJFS and CSEA
PRC News: At the close of business day 9/30/2024, Lorain County Department Job and Family Services will temporarily pause accepting additional applications for our Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) Program. Check back for updates at the beginning of the new year.
If you currently have a pending application, you can call 1-844-640-6446 to check the status of your application. Call center prompts for PRC as follows:
· Language Selection (Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, et cetera).
· Select option 2 (for help with Medicaid, Food, Cash Assistance benefits, or Child Care).
· If prompted, enter zip code and select county.
· If prompted, enter 9 digit SSN and 8 digit DOB.
· Choose option 3 to apply for benefits.
· Choose option 5 for PRC. A call center representative will then direct your call.
If you are in need of assistance in the interim, you can reach out to United Way for other community resources that may be of help or click the following linkto be directed to their website: United Way of Greater Lorain County 2-1-1 Resource Database (211lorain.org)
2025 Managed Care Open Enrollment
The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is excited to share information and resources with you regarding the 2025 managed care annual open enrollment.
Open enrollment officially runs November 1 – 30 and is the period when Ohio Medicaid members can review the available plans and select the one that best fits their healthcare needs. However, Ohio Medicaid members are mailed open enrollment letters beginning in August to notify them of the period, the plans available, and how to change their plan. They will also receive an automated reminder call with the option to connect with a customer service representative to ask questions or change their plan.
Members can make their selection anytime on or before November 30. Coverage begins the first day of the month following their selection. For example, if a member chooses a new plan in September, their coverage begins October 1.
Members can select a new plan by using the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Portal at www.ohiomh.com or by contacting the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 800-324-8680 (TTY 711). Representatives are available 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Eastern time.
If a member would like to stay with their current healthcare plan, they do not have to take any action related to open enrollment.
During the same period that open enrollment reminders will be sent, members may also receive an Ohio Medicaid renewal packet. Renewing a member’s eligibility for Medicaid is very different from open enrollment. If a member receives a renewal packet, they must complete it to keep their coverage.
Medicaid plans cover medical, vision, dental, and behavioral health services as required by law. However, each offers value-added extras to keep members healthy and earn their business. Taking part in open enrollment lets members learn the differences among each, so they know they’re covered by the health plan that’s best for them and their families.
Open Enrollment Resources to Assist Members:
There are several supplemental resources linked below to help you and your staff respond to Medicaid member questions about annual open enrollment. The documents are linked below.
- The Open Enrollment FAQ provides answers to the most common questions from members related to open enrollment.
- The Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Member FAQ provides answers to the most common questions from members related to the managed care program.
- The 2024 Managed Care Health Plan Comparison Guide offers an overview of the services that all managed care plans currently offer as well as the specific value-added services available from each individual plan in 2024.
- The 2025 Managed Care Health Plan Comparison Guide provides an overview of the services that all managed care plans will offer as well as the specific value-added services available from each individual plan in 2025.
FRAUD ALERT: OHFA WARNS OHIOANS ABOUT A HOUSING VOUCHER SCAM
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Housing Finance Agency wants to warn Ohioans of a Housing Voucher scam. A fraudulent Facebook page, Ohio Housing Development Authority, is promoting a waiting list for Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Programs.
The fraudulent Facebook page uses the Ohio Housing Finance Agency's logo, and the flier references its offices as well as a website to register for housing vouchers. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency does not administer housing vouchers. Ohioans that need to apply for housing vouchers should contact their local public housing authority.
"We want Ohioans to be aware that the Ohio Housing Development Authority is not associated with the state of Ohio. It is promoting fraudulent information regarding Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Programs. Ohioans should disregard any information they have received from this organization," said Penny Martin, director of public affairs for the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. "The Ohio Housing Finance Agency does not issue Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers. Ohioans that need a housing voucher should contact their local public housing authority."
Ohioans that may have been a victim of fraud should take action to secure their personal information. Recommendations on next steps can be found on the Ohio Attorney General's website. You also can report scams on their website here.
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency provides financing for the development of low- to moderate-income housing as well as discounted mortgage rates and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers. To learn more about the Ohio Housing Finance Agency and its programs, visit ohiohome.org.
SNAP SKIMMING
According to the Federal Food and Nutrition Service, Ohio is among a number of states being targeted by criminals stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This is known as skimming. In skimming, criminals use a device placed over a point-of-sale card reader that steals information from payment cards like SNAP EBT and cash assistance cards. This means SNAP or cash assistance benefits could be stolen without you knowing.
If you have fallen victim to EBT skimming, please follow the link to download and print the necessary form to be completed and returned to Lorain County Department Job and Family Services within 90 days of the occurrence. The JFS 7011 can be found under Miscellaneous Ohio JFS Forms, and also can be found by clicking here.
New Program Information:
Virtual Benefits Assistant:
Self Service Portal Updates:
The Self Service Portal to apply and check on eligibility for SNAP/TANF/Medicaid/Childcare assistance, has undergone a major upgrade. New features include the following:
1. The Portal is now mobile device friendly.
2. Users can provide verifications by uploading a photo of the document.
3. Enhanced password reset functionality.
If a Portal user sees distorted screens after logging in, please have the user clear their browser cache and log back in. Users can typically clear their cache in the browser settings area of their chosen web browser. The Ohio Benefits Help Desk can be reached at (866) 846-4528 if a portal user encounters any issues.
click the link for the: Self Service Portal
SNAP/TANF Interviews:
All SNAP/TANF interviews are being conducted by telephone. If a special circumstance requires accomodations, please contact us for a scheduled appointment at 1-844-640-6446.
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To return Verifications:
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Hours for the Call Center are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (844-640-6446)
Applications can be found here.
Ohio Medicaid COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination
ACCESS OUR SERVICES FROM HOME
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Access the Self-Service Portal (SSP) at ssp.benefits.ohio.gov
Applicants can create an account to apply for SNAP/TANF/Medicaid/Child Care benefits, check status of application or case, upload verifications, and report changes to their case. |
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Access Our Website at lcdjfs.com
This is the easiest way to find out information for Child Support (CSEA), Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC), Public Assistance and Adult Protective Service (APS) programs. Also, applications and forms can be completed and submitted through our forms section on this site. |
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Call 844-640-6446
Also calls can be made to 1-844-640-6446 to apply, renew, or make changes for medical, food, or cash assistance. Documents can be dropped off, uploaded to your Ohio Benefits account, emailed to LorainJFS@jfs.ohio.gov, or faxed to 440-323-3422. |
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Drop of Documents
Documents for all programs can be placed in agency drop boxes, which are located at the front door of our main lobby under the clock or outside the child support office doors.
Location: 42485 North Ridge Road Elyria, Ohio 44035 |
SNAP-ED helpful information link
htps://snaped.fns.usda.gov/nutrition-education/nutrition-education-materials/stay-safe-and-healthy-home
Two New Drop boxes installed: Both boxes are available 24/7 for verification drop off.
1) Job & Family Services entrance to the main lobby facing the parking lot for easier access. Please use this box when dropping off SNAP/TANF and Medicaid verifications (dark grey)
2) Child Support Enforcement Agency by the lobby door. Please use this box for All CSEA related documents. (light grey)
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.
SNAP Online Food Purchasing Now Available in Ohio
Ohioans who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can now use their Ohio Direction cards to purchase food online through Walmart and Amazon, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced today.
Individuals may qualify for SNAP if their household’s gross monthly income is at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Ohioans can apply at benefits.ohio.gov. Benefits can be used to buy most food products, with the exception of alcoholic beverages, vitamins and/or medicines, and hot food made to be eaten immediately, including prepared food from grocery stores and restaurants.
New resource available for SNAP recipients:
Grocery stores and other retailers can offer online “click and collect” grocery shopping and curbside pickup for families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) learned this week. Families also can place orders over the phone.
If grocery stores have wireless mobile point-of-sale (POS) devices, they can swipe recipients’ EBT cards at curbside. If they do not have mobile POS devices, recipients still can order food in advance and go into the store to pay and pick up their groceries. Retailers also have the option to process manual vouchers at curbside. Grocers cannot accept the EBT card number over the phone. Benefits can be used to buy most food products, with the exception of alcoholic beverages, vitamins and/or medicines, and hot food made to be eaten immediately, including prepared food from grocery stores and restaurants.
State Hearings SHARE Portal:
The Bureau of State Hearings has redesigned and deployed the SHARE (State Hearings Access to Records Electronically) Portal. Clients are able to log in to the SHARE site using their Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal login and password. The Portal will provide access for appellants and authorized representatives to review state hearing records, request a hearing, upload a document, request a reschedule, or withdraw a hearing. To access the Portal, please click here. To watch a video on how to use the Portal, please click here.
LCCAA HEAP Updates
Utility help through LCCAA HEAP. New satellite offices are being opened up throughout Lorain County. Check the following link for locations, dates, and times: https://www.lccaa.net/news?view=270
EBT Card Issuance
If you have had an EBT card in the past, you will not receive a new one when new benefits are authorized. You will need to call for a replacement if you no longer have the card. For the Ohio Direction card hotline for SNAP benefits, call 1-866-386-3071. For the Ohio EPPICard hotline for Cash Assistance benefits, call 1-866-320-8822.
Online Voter Registration
Ohio residents are now able to register to vote online! The Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration (OLVR) system allows an applicant to securely and efficiently submit a voter registration application online to the Secretary of State's Office. In order to use OLVR, an applicant must have a valid Ohio driver's license or state identification card. The following information will be requested to complete the online voter registration and must match the applicant's BMV information:
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Applicant's name
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Address
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Date of Birth
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Last four digits of applicant's Social Security number
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Ohio driver's license or state identification number
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Consent for the Ohio Secretary of State's Office to obtain applicant's signature
Simply click on this link to register.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
The Stocker Foundation presents Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This program is a 60 volume set of books beginning with the children's classic The Little Engine That Could. Each month a new book will be mailed in your child's name at no cost to the family. See the attached flyer for more information. Flyer also available in Spanish.
Interim Report
Interim reports can be completed online!
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Submitting required forms online is the best way to provide documents to LCJFS
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It's more convenient for you, and it cuts down on lobby traffic
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Click here to access your case online and submit your interim report
Case Profile Printouts:
The front desk can no longer provide case profile printouts for WIC, HEAP, Community Action, and/or Section-8/LMHA.
In order to obtain a case profile, you must set up online access to your account by following the directions below. There are computers and printers in the LCDJFS lobby where you may print your case profile free of charge during our normal business hours (Monday- Friday: 7:45am - 4:00pm). An agency staff member is usually available to assist with this process on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday between the hours of 8:00am - 8:30am and 2:00pm - 3:00 pm.
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set up online access to your case at https://odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov/SelfServiceSplash.jsf.
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On the "Home" screen, select the "Review Benefits" tab. Print this page. It shows your current and future benefit issuance history.
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On the "Review Benefits" screen, select "Click Here For History" for each individual benefit to get up to 12 months of benefit issuance history.
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Return to the "Home' screen and select the "Review Case Information" tab. This page lists the people on your case, their dates of birth, and the benefits your household receives. Print this page.
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On the "Report a Change" tab, indicate whether or not you would like to register to vote and submit your answer. Then, select the appropriate computer option from the drop-down box and hit the submit button. This takes you to a "Case Summary" page. Print this page.
2024 Holidays / Agency Closed Dates
Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
January 15 |
Presidents' Day |
February 19 |
Memorial Day |
May 27 |
Juneteenth observed |
June 19 |
Independence Day |
July 4 |
Labor Day |
September 2 |
Indigenous Peoples Day |
October 14 |
Veterans Day |
November 11 |
Thanksgiving |
November 28th and 29th |
Christmas Eve and Christmas observedNew Year's Eve |
December 24 & 25December 31st (Tues) |