Anyone receiving Ohio Works First (OWF) cash benefits and/or Food Stamps is required to participate in various work programs to help prepare them for future employment.

Ohio Works First (OWF)

This program is also referred to as the federal "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families" program. TANF is the title used in federal legislation and regulations. Ohio has adopted the title Ohio Works First (OWF) for its time-limited cash assistance program.  The major goal of OWF is to help participants transition from welfare dependency toward personal responsibility, employment and self-sufficiency.

OWF participants have specific requirements.  A Self-Sufficiency Contract (SSC) is completed and serves as a guide.  This individual plan spells out what each participant needs to do and what the GCDJFS will do to help them reach identified goals. The participant is informed of their rights and responsibilities when they sign the contract and their plan. Failure to comply to the terms of the contract or plan without good cause may result in a sanction and loss of benefits.

Work activities are mandatory and require participation in order to receive time-limited cash assistance.

There are Federal and State recognized work activities. The Federal Work Activities include: Employment, Work Experience Program (WEP), Subsidized Employment Program (SEP), Job Search, Job Readiness, Vocational Education (Postsecondary), Job Skills Training, Education (directly related to employment for someone without a high school diploma or GED) and Basic Education (ABLE).

The hours of participation in a Federal or State work activity as well as who must participate vary according to the make up of the assistance group and what benefits they receive.

OWF is time limited - 36 months (lifetime limit) under Ohio law. Each county has developed hardship exemptions that would allow assistance groups to remain on OWF for a longer period of time.

Eligibility: The OWF program requires completing an "Application for Cash, Medical and Food Stamp Assistance" and a face-to-face interview with a caseworker.  There must be a child in need; or a woman without any other children must be in her sixth month of pregnancy. A child's home must be with a parent, specified relative, custodian or legal guardian.  Verification of age, citizenship, and identity must be completed before any individual, adult or child, is eligible to be included in the assistance group.

In February, 2009, the State of Ohio implemented the net Ohio EPPICard™ program. Benefit recipients can now access their payments online using a MasterCard® debit card. Your payments are automatically loaded onto the card and you can go to millions of MasterCard® ATM and retailer locations in Ohio and around the world to make purchase or receive cash. This is the site for the Ohio EPPICard:  www.eppicard.com
 

Work Experience Program (WEP)

The Work Experience Program (WEP) provides an opportunity for individuals receiving Ohio Works First or Food Stamp benefits to acquire valuable training, skill development, work experience and possible job placement. WEP places participants in job settings with employers in the community. Work site sponsors can be government or educational organizations, nonprofit or for-profit companies.

Participants are assigned to the site for a set number of hours per month, depending on their type of assistance. They are not paid wages, but receive public assistance during the time of their work experience.

The work site's role is to provide supervision to promote good work habits. Each month, the site reports the hours completed and comments on work behavior.

Eligibility: Participants are assigned to WEP by their Case Manager. 

Guernsey County Department of Job & Family Services, Child Support Enforcement Agency
Last modified: 11/20/09
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