March 18, 2020,
To our community partners,
Beginning March 18, 2020, all Cuyahoga Job and Family Services (CJFS) buildings will be closed to the public. CJFS will continue to provide access to services through self-service options to apply for public benefits and update existing cases to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This difficult decision is based on guidance from national, state and local officials to discourage public gatherings and encourage “social distancing”.
CJFS is encouraging the public to use the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal to apply for food, medical, cash and childcare assistance as well as make changes or upload documents on existing food, medical and cash assistance cases.
To apply, renew or report changes to food, medical, cash, or childcare assistance online, visit: www.benefits.ohio.gov.
The Eligibility Contact Center is also available for the public to submit applications for food, medical, and cash assistance, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CJFS Eligibility Specialists are available to take applications, complete phone interviews, and make changes to existing cases.
Language services are available through the Eligibility Contact Center. Language options through the Eligibility Contact Center prompts include Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Somali, French, Nepali, Vietnamese, and Russian. Additional languages are available through the request of our staff.
Options to get updates about existing food, medical, and cash assistance cases are available through the Eligibility Contact Center without speaking to an Eligibility Specialist include:
• Signing up for text notifications
• Technical assistance for the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal
• Managed care plan assistance and Medicaid covered services questions
• Ohio Direction Card (EBT) and cash assistance EPPIC Card assistance
• Request a hearing regarding public benefits
To avoid waiting on the phone for long periods of time, please use the “Virtual Hold” feature and the caller will receive a call back from the “State of Ohio” when it is there turn to talk with a representative.
To apply, renew, or report changes to food, medical, or cash assistance on the phone, call: 1-844-640-OHIO (6446).
Other important numbers:
Child Care Assistance Information Line: (216) 987-6929
PRC Information Line: (216) 987-7392
Long-Term Care Contact Line: (216) 858-8405
Cuyahoga County
Together We Thrive
|
Cuyahoga Job and Family Services
1641 Payne Avenue | Cleveland, Ohio 44114 | 216-987-7000 | cjfs.cuyahogacounty.us
Applications for benefits and verifications can be faxed using one of the fax number options below. All fax numbers are routed to our imaging department.
(216) 987-7700
(216) 635-2923
(216) 987-8487
(216) 391-5122
(216) 881-4416
(216) 987-8974
(216) 961-2630
(216) 987-7016
(216) 635-2924
CJFS Neighborhood Family Service Center locations have a Safe and Secure Drop Box that will still be accessible to submit documents such as applications and verifications. To submit applications and documents for the Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) program and childcare application documents, please use the designated drop box the Virgil E. Brown building.
Virgil E. Brown NFSC
1641 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
Old Brooklyn NFSC
4261 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, OH 44144
Southgate NFSC
3955 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
Quincy Place NFSC
8111 Quincy Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44104
Finally, you may scan and email documents to us at: JFS-Cuyahoga-MIPC@jfs.ohio.gov . When doing so, Clients should include the following with their email which will ensure their documents are processed correctly and quickly:
• Customers Case Name (not email address)
• Case Number
• DOB
• Phone Number
We are working to keep the community updated on adjustments to our service delivery and accessing public benefits. Please take a moment to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, as we are using social media to provide more frequent updates, information on accessing benefits through self-service options and information in various languages.
If you have specific requests for information, contact the Office of Community Engagement at community_outreach@jfs.ohio.gov.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Kevin Gowan
Administrator for Cuyahoga Job and Family Services