Times have changed! Attitudes have changed!
Needs have changed!
The State of Ohio wants to help you become self-sufficient
before you use your limited lifetime welfare cash benefits.
These cash benefits are from Ohio Works First.
To do this, the Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services spends huge amounts of tax dollars for:
*Child Care
*Transportation
*Medical Coverage
*Education Programs
*Training Programs
Law limit the funding for these programs, so Ohio
must spend its money wisely.
Ohio cannot afford to give benefits to people who
lie or hide information.
*Every dollar stolen is one less dollar available to
help people pull themselves up and get along with
out help.
*Every dollar stolen makes someone's dream
harder to reach.
*Every dollar stolen cheats the people who need
help the most.
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Always tell the truth!
Tell your county department of job and family services
about your situation.
Tell your caseworker when you are living with someone
else, even if they do not want to help. Tell your
caseworker if you get help from relatives or friends.
Tell your caseworker if someone else is paying your bills.
Tell your caseworker when and why a job ends, even if it ends
before you have worked there for 10 days.
Tell your caseworker how much rent you pay. Do no report
more rent or utilities than you pay.
Always Report Changes within 10 Days!
Report a job when you start it. DON'T WAIT until
after your first pay or until your next reapplication.
Don't wait to see if the job works out. Don't wait to
see if you will stay on the job.
Report pay raises. Report changes in the numbers of
hours you work. This includes if you change from part
time to full time or if your part time hours change.
Report when a person moves into or out of your home.
Report these changes to your caseworks by mail,
by phone, or in person.
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Checking the Truthfulness of your Statements
If you hide information or lie, we will catch you.
When we catch you, you will be subject to penalties.
Below are SOME of the ways we check the truth of
your statements.
Employers must report to us when you are hired or
return to work.
State agencies tell us if you:
*Work, or get unemployment compensation,
worker's compensation, or child support.
*Are a fugitive felon
*Are in prison
*Attend school
Certain cases are chosen for quality control
reviews and investigations. If you case is chosen,
we will check your information with your landlord,
employer, school, neighbors, and others.
Although we get information from these
sources, you must still report information
to us within 10 days.
Failure to do so may be considered fraud and
can lead to serious penalties.
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Recent laws have greatly increased the penalties
for those who hide information or lie to get
welfare benefits.
If you are convicted or, or admit to, a violation
of these laws:
*You may be sent to prison for up to 20 years
and fined up to $250,000, depending upon the
amount of benefits involved.
*You may have to pay back benefits you were
not eligible to receive.
*The first time you break the rules on purpose,
you will not be able to get food stamps for one
year. Your family will not get welfare benefits
until overpayment is repaid.
*The penalties for the food stamps program
double the second time your break the rules
*The third time you break the rules, you can
never again get food stamps.
During the penalty periods you cannot get food
stamps or welfare in another state.
Make no mistake. Ohio is tough on fraud.
Caseworkers, investigators, prosecutors,
and judges are ALL united to protect our
treasury and programs.
IF YOU COMMIT FRAUD, WE WILL
CATCH YOU!
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If you don't agree with an action or a decision on your
benefits by your county department of job and family
services (CDJFS), you can ask for a state hearing.
You can also ask for a state hearing if you think your
CDJFS has not done something it should have. To
learn more, ask your CDJFS or ODHS brochure
#8007 - You have a right to a state hearing
and form #4059 - Explanation or State hearing
procedures. You can also call the Ohio State Legal
Services at 1.800.589.5888. If you are charged with
a crime, you can ask for help from a public defender.
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The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is
a public agency which manages federal money. Laws
don't allow discrimination in managing programs that use
federal money. Types of discrimination include race,
color, religion, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation,
or national origin. If you feel you have been
discriminated against, send your complaint to:
Ohio Department of Job & Family Services
Office of Internal Administration
Bureau of Civil Rights
145 S. Front St., 1st Fl.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: 614.644.2703 or
toll free at: 1.866.227.6353
Fax: 614.752.6381
TTY hearing impaired: 1.866.221.6700
Bob Taft, Governor - State of Ohio
Tom Hayes, Director
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Office of Communications JFS 08100 (Rev 4/2003)