If you are interested in applying for Medicaid, SNAP, OWF, or Child Care Assistance, you can apply online at Self Service Portal Home Page. If you would like an application mailed to you for any of our programs, please call 440-285-1161 or you can come to our agency Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm. You can learn more about each program by reading below. 

Ohio Works First (OWF)

The objective of the Ohio Works First Program is to assist people in becoming self sufficient and to take responsibility for the lives and well being of their family.  All families receiving Ohio Works First benefits have work requirements they must meet to receive those benefits.  All participants are evaluated to determine their employability. Participants not currently employed are required to take part in approved work activities. Adults with certain disabilities may be required to perform developmental or alternative work activities.  If you would like more information on OWF assistance please click Cash Assistance Overview. 

SNAP

SNAP is available to families and individuals to help supplement their ability to purchase food and improve their nutrition. Income and resource documentation must be provided to determine the level of food assistance the family or individual is eligible to receive. Benefits are issued electronically via the Ohio Direction Card which is accepted at most grocery stores across the state.  If you would like more information on the SNAP program and the eligibility criteria please click HERE.

Did you know you can now lock your EBT (SNAP) card when it is not in use?

• This feature is to help Ohioans in securing their SNAP benefits and prevent SNAP benefits from being stolen.
• You can access this feature through the ConnectEBT mobile app.
• Cardholders should consider setting their card to a locked status until they are actively making a purchase with the EBT card.
• Once the purchase is successful, the cardholder can then lock their card using the ConnectEBT mobile app.

If you would like more information on how to protect your benefits please watch the video located here.

Protect And Secure Your Information

Medicaid

Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families. If you would like to apply online for Medicaid you can go to Self Service Portal Home Page . If you don’t want to apply online and would like us to mail you an application, please call us at 440-285-1161. You are also welcome to stop by our office and apply in person

Families and individuals must meet income and resource eligibility criteria to qualify for Medicaid Health coverage. For more detailed information about Medicaid, click here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP

HealthCheck and Healthy Start are Medicaid programs specifically for infants and children and can be used for preventative and diagnostic medical purposes. 

Child Care Assistance

Assistance paying for Child Care fees is available for working parents or for those currently enrolled in an educational or training program.  Eligibility and level of assistance is based on household income.  Selection and availability of the Child Care Provider is the responsibility of the parent.  Ifyou woul dlike more informaiton on child care assistance please clicke Child Care Assistance

If you need to find a child care provider that accepts publicly funded child care, you can click Find Quality Rated Early Care and Education | Ohio Child Care Search

Prevention, Retention Contingency (PRC) Program

The Geauga County Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) Plan is intended to address the needs of the individual as well as the family, recognizing that for an adult family member to be successfully employed the home environment must be stable. The program is designed to help low-income employed families with minor children who need help with essential supports to move out of poverty and become self-sufficient. Our PRC plan is located here.  If you are interested in applying for help through our PRC program please download, print and send in the PRC application. Your application can be dropped off at our 2nd floor lobby at our office located at 12611 Ravenwood Dr. Chardon, OH 44024, faxed to 440-286-6654, emailed to Geauga-Assistance@jfs.ohio.gov or mailed to Geauga County JFS PO Box 309 Chardon, OH 44024.