Latest News & Updates from LCDJFS

CSEA Back-to-School AMNESTY Program

During the month of August 2019, Lorain County Child Support Enforcement Agency is sponsoring a Back-to-School Amnesty Program in hopes to generate extra money for custodial parents as they prepare to send their children back to school. Parents who have had their driver's license (or other license) suspended for failure to pay child support can pay one month's worth of current child support order plus $1.00 for arrears per case for reinstatement of their license.

Payments can be made with cash, check, or money order at the Lorain County CSEA lobby Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:15pm and Tuesdays until 6:30pm. Credit Card payments for child support obligations can be made by phone at 1-888-965-2676 (select option 5) or online at https://oh.smartchildsupport.com.

Upcoming Changes to Ohio's Support Program

Starting on July 1, 2019, the Ohio e-QuickPay Debit Mastercard will be discontinued, and a new card will take its place: the SmiONE payment card.

For a smooth transition, make sure your Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) has your correct address on file. Keep your e-QuickPay card until you spend down the balance. The balance will NOT transfer and can still be used after July 1, 2019.

Prevention, Retention, and Contingency

Ohio's Prevention, Retention, and Contingency program provides work supports and other services to help low-income parents overcome immediate barriers to employment. It is funded through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Those receiving assistance from other public assistance programs-including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) - also may be eligible for PRC service.

PRC services vary between counties based on community needs. Each county has a PRC plan stating the types of services available in that county and the eligibility criteria for them. Applications are currently being taken for the following services:

Vehicle Repairs
Past Due Utilities
Stove/Refrigerator
Beds (Need based on emergent, crisis situation or natural disaster - Referral required from community agency - e.g. LCCS, Genesis House, Red Cross, Health Dept)

Applications can be submitted in the Main Lobby, during normal business hours. No appointments will be seen, or necessary.

Self-Scanning Kiosk

A self-scanning kiosk is now located in the LCDJFS main lobby for clients to scan and submit their own documents without having to take a number and wait for a front desk staff member. Any Child Care, SNAP, TANF, and/or Medicaid recipient with an active case can skip the wait and scan any documents they need to turn in by using the new kiosk. Individuals will need to know the Social Security Number and Date of Birth for one of the active recipients on the case. LCDJFS has staff available to assist clients when using the kiosk, however it is very user friendly. After scanning all documents, the kiosk will print a receipt with the date and time, as well as how many documents were scanned.

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.

Ohio Benefits Interactive Voice Response Feature

On May 31, 2018 the statewide contact center for Medicaid consumers received an interactive voice response feature for the call system at 1-844-640-6446. Consumers are now able to set up case notifications and reminders via text after verifying social security number and date of birth. Consumers will also receive a brief case status update when they call this hotline. In addition to this update, the new system will also have the functionality to robocall consumers whose benefits have been discontinued for failure to complete a renewal.

It's Tax Time!!!

If you worked in 2018, you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit -even if you don't owe income tax. You also may qualify for free assistance with the preparation and filing of your income tax return through the Lorain County Free Tax Prep Coalition, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Ohio Means Jobs is one of this year's tax preparation sites. Appointments can be made by calling 2-1-1.

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:

Applicant's name
Address
Date of Birth
Last four digits of applicant's Social Security number
Ohio driver's license or state identification number
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 Reports

Interim reports can be completed online!

Submitting required forms online is the best way to provide documents to LCJFS
It's more convenient for you, and it cuts down on lobby traffic
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 (Tuesday: 7:45 am - 6:00 pm; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 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.

set up online access to your case at https://odjfsbenefits.ohio.gov/SelfServiceSplash.jsf.
On the "Home" screen, select the "Review Benefits" tab. Print this page. It shows your current and future benefit issuance history.
On the "Review Benefits" screen, select "Click Here For History" for each individual benefit to get up to 12 months of benefit issuance history.
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.
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.

2019 Holidays / Agency Closed Dates

New Years Day	January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 21
President's Day	February 18
Memorial Day	May 27
Independence Day	July 4
Labor Day	September 2
Columbus Day	October 14
Veterans Day	November 11
Thanksgiving	November 28 & 29
Christmas New Year's Eve	December 24 & 25 December 31

Lorain County Job & Family Services