Families will get assistance limit letters

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 6, 2000

Lawrence County Department of Jobs and Family Services workers mailed letters Tuesday to those hitting the state’s first public assistance deadline in October.

Wednesday, September 06, 2000

Lawrence County Department of Jobs and Family Services workers mailed letters Tuesday to those hitting the state’s first public assistance deadline in October.

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The letters tell about 63 Ohio Works First recipients that benefits end Oct. 1, but they can apply for a hardship exemption, family services director Buddy Martin said.

Part of state welfare reform, Ohio Works First changed the former AFDC system to include a three-year time limit – a move aimed to help people find jobs and get off public assistance. The first beneficiaries hitting the October time limit will be followed by 28 on Nov. 1 and 14 on Dec. 1.

The department recently drafted a set of guidelines that spell out what qualifies for a hardship exemption. It also held a public meeting to get input about the issue.

"We changed several things because of the input we got from that meeting," Martin said. "At the same time, some of the issues were not addressed because of the limiting factor."

The department can only exempt 20 percent of its caseload over a certain period of time. And the exempted families are subject to income guidelines.

Food stamps and medical card benefits will not end when Ohio Works First payments end but there are cases where a family needs the cash assistance to continue, such as when a parent is caring for a disabled child, Martin said.

If granted an exemption, beneficiaries will receive continued assistance for a certain period of time, he said.

"We have exemption criteria that covers as much as possible."

The letters that went out Tuesday say contact case workers to apply for an exemption.

In general, exemptions focus on disabled children or adults or people who have medical problems where they cannot get out to take a job, Martin said.

There are exemptions for people chemically dependent, but they must be in a treatment program. And there is an exemption for those in domestic violence situations.

Rules were changed to exempt not only those staying in a shelter but also those providing verification of charges filed and not living with the perpetrator, Martin said.

Other exemptions will be considered for:

– Individuals who are enrolled in an educational or training program directly related to employment.

– Individuals with physical or mental disabilities that have been seen by a physician and have applied for SSI. Benefits are limited and other criteria apply.

– Individuals suffering loss of income from a catastrophic illness or high-risk pregnancy. Benefits are limited and other criteria apply.

– Individuals caring for severely disabled children who require 24-hour care.

– Single parents. Limited to three full payment months from the birth of the child. Teen parents attending high school receive payment for six months if they stay in school.

– Individuals who are homeless.