Refugees are individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their own country due to fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Refugee Medical Assistance
Refugees not eligible for Medicaid may be eligible for Refugee Medical Assistance for the first 8 months in the United States.
Refugee Cash Assistance -
Refugees not eligible for Ohio Works First cash assistance may be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance for the first 8 months in the United States.

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How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application
You can submit your application in the following ways: Online for cash & food at: www.benefits.ohio.gov
Online for medical benefits if you are over age 65 or have Medicare at: www.benefits.ohio.gov
Online for Medicaid through the self service portal: www.benefits.ohio.gov
By phone by calling:
937-498-4981, option 3
or by calling: 1-844-640-6446 to complete the application process Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
After completing a paper application, you may return the application:
by fax to : 937-498-7396
by mail to:
Shelby County Job & Family Services
227 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH 45365
or by email to:
FMS-Staff@jfs.ohio.gov
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
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Step 3: The Interview
Once you have submitted your application for cash or food assistance, you will be contacted by a caseworker to complete your interview by telephone.
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 fax verifications to:
937-498-7396
email to:
FMS-Staff@jfs.ohio.gov
or mail to:
Shelby County Job & Family Services
227 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH 45365
For more information on other services available to Refugees, contact:
614-466-4815
or email refugee@jfs.ohio.gov
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