Cincinnati, Ohio – Hamilton County Job and Family Services (JFS) is suspending in-person interviews and work requirements to ensure those receiving food and cash assistance are not threatened with benefit loss during the COVID-19 crisis.
“This is a time to ensure people immediately have help,” JFS Interim Director Tim McCartney said. “We will not burden people. We have a nearly 75-year history of supporting families and changing lives in this community and our commitment is as important now as ever.”
The agency is conducting initial qualifying interviews, as well as re-certification interviews, over the phone, instead of in person. Other requirements, such as assessment paperwork and tests, can be done at home or online.
JFS is also granting “good cause” exemptions for those who would normally be required to participate in a work activity or attend school.
JFS is also granting “good cause” exemptions for those who would normally be required to participate in a work activity or attend school.
“If you have a job, you can continue working,” McCartney said. “If you can take classes online, you should. But if it is impossible, we will grant an exemption. Your assistance will not be threatened.”
Operational Changes
McCartney said the agency enacted several other operational changes during the crisis. The latest is the suspension of center-based family visits for at least the next two weeks, beginning March 23. Visits between biological families and children in the agency’s custody will now take place at JFS, which has more space, in the community or via phone or video.
“With the public health recommendations on social distancing and restrictions on the gathering of people, many are concerned center-based visits are a threat to their health,” he said. “We are not stopping visits. We are mandated by law to carry out family visits and that requirement remains. We are working on alternatives wherever possible. We know how important these are to families.”
Another change is agency employees meeting clients at the front door to answer questions and collect documents.
“We have cut traffic by more than 90 percent,” McCartney said. “Normally, about 800 to 1,000 clients come through the building on a weekday. That is now down to a few dozen. We deliver vital services for this community. We are endeavoring to remain open and there will always be people who need to visit in person, but we are doing everything we can to ensure the health of our employees and clients.”
The agency is listing all program changes at the top of its main website, www.hcjfs.org. Most business can be conducted by phone (513-946-1000; 1-844-640-OHIO (6446) to apply for assistance), fax (513-946-1076) or online.
A new drop box also was installed at the front of the building to collect required documents.
About Hamilton County Job and Family Services: Supporting Families and Changing Lives
Hamilton County Job and Family Services administers federal, state and local programs for those in need. The Department helps with local child protection, elderly protection, child care, child support enforcement, workforce development, cash assistance, food assistance and Medicaid disbursement. Servicing Hamilton County since 1947, the Department helps hundreds of thousands each year and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, an international, independent, not-for-profit child and family service accrediting organization.
