Ohio Works First Cash Assistance is monthly income provided to low income families. Benefits are issued via a debit card or by direct deposit.   To be eligible for Ohio Works First cash assistance, individuals must meet financial requirements and have a child under the age of 18 living in the home.  Recipients are required to participate in some type of work activity with the goal of becoming self sufficient.  Financial guidelines apply.

Relatives or legal guardians/custodians caring for minor children in their home who are not the biological parents can also file for a monthly cash check for the children only.  Income of the relatives or guardian is not used when determining assistance for the children.  Guardians must be appointed through the court system.

Disability Financial Assistance also comes via debit card or by direct deposit.  This income is designed to help individuals with their expenses as they await a disability determination from Social Security.

Individuals applying for Disability Financial Assistance must be determined to be disabled by the Disability Determination Unit in Columbus. This process can be lengthy, sometimes taking months.  Individuals are required to apply for SSI at the Social Security Office.  SSI case management services are available to assist individuals during the SSI application process.  Financial and resource guidelines apply.

If you have problems with your card or need to report the card as lost or stolen, you must call the Customer Service Hotline at:

1-866-320-8822

How to Apply

Step 1:  Submit an application
You can submit your application in the following ways: Online at:  www.odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov
By phone by calling

937-498-4981

option 3, option 3 and a paper application will be mailed to you. In person by visiting the agency to obtain an application to complete:

Shelby County Job & Family Services
227 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH  45365

After completing a paper application, you may return the application in person, by mail, or by fax:

(937) 498-7396

Step 2:  Gather Verification Documents
As part of the application, you will need to submit a number of verification documents.  The specific documents are listed in the application, but in general we will need to verify:

• Who is in the household
• All household income,  and
• Basic information such as identity, Social Security Number(s) and Birth Verifications

Step 3:  The Interview
Once you have submitted your application for cash or food assistance, a caseworker will meet with you to complete your interview. If you are unable to stay for an interview, you will be given an appointment to call into the agency to complete a phone interview.  You may call into the agency at:

(937) 498-4981

option 3, option 1
Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 10:30 am 

If you are employed, you may also call into the agency on Tuesdays, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Step 4:  Return any Additional Verifications
At the end of your interview, the eligibility worker will send you a checklist of any additional verification documents we need to complete your case.  You may return the documents to our front desk staff, fax verifications to:

937-498-7396

or by mail to:

Shelby County Job & Family Services
227 S. Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH  45365