(Sept. 2, 2010 New Web site for unemployed workersThe Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recently created a new Web site for the state’s unemployed workers: www.OhioHereToHelp.com. Ohio Here to Help can quickly connect visitors to a wide range of information and resources – from both public and private entities – that can help them search for a job, find education and training opportunities, and learn about other supports that can help them get through this difficult time. The new site also provides direct links to job openings and training opportunities. It also provides information on such topics as money, food assistance, health care, housing, transportation, child care, veterans’ services, legal services, clothing assistance and youth employment.

(May 28, 2010) New survey shows state residents are very concerned about poverty An Ohio University class surveyed voters across the state earlier this year about their opinions on poverty and found that Ohioans want state leaders do more to help the poor. At the same time, though, Ohio residents differ in their opinions on how best to help the poor, according to the survey results. The survey asked Ohio residents about a wide range of issues related to poverty . Click here to read the news release about the survey. Click here to read the survey.

(May 7, 2010 ) Watch out for scams related to your benefits cards Job and Family Services offices across Ohio have been receiving questions from clients about phone text messages they have been receiving about their Ohio Direction Card (EBT) and the Ohio EPPICard (EPC) accounts. These text messages are scams intended to obtain personal and/or card information.  The current message states "Customer Issue, EPPI Card frozen, please call (different numbers are displayed).” If you receive one of these inquires, please DO NOT RESPOND. No official messages about these cards are being sent out by text message, and the state would not contact you and then ask for your cardholder information in this way.  Anyone who feels his or her personal information has been compromised by the scam should call The Ohio Direction Card customer service number at 866-386-3071, or  the Ohio EPPICard customer service number at 866-320-8822. All clients are also reminded that they can monitor their account activity by setting up an online account. The address for the Web site used to set up the accounts is located on the backs of the cards.

(Feb. 24, 2010) Free public defense is no longer free in Ohio. All Ohio residents now have to pay $25 when they apply for a public defender. This tax on poor people is enforced unevenly around the state, puts judges and public defenders in awkward positions, and places a fee on a service that is supposed to be provided for free to the indigent. The fee has numerous other problems with it and needs to be eliminated. Click here to read a report from Athens County Job and Family Services on this new fee.

(Nov. 24, 2009) Columbus Dispatch reports on how state budget cuts are impacting families living in poverty The Columbus Dispatch recently published a series of articles looking at how state budget cuts are affecting Ohio famiiles living in poverty. Click here for the links to several of the articles.

(Nov. 3, 2009) Annual Report shows increase in demand for services "Our annual report tells a story of rising demands and shrinking resources. Caseloads for financial and medical assistance are growing to reflect the general economic downturn. Cuts in services reflect the consequences of state budget reductions...Unfortunately, the bottom line is that life for our poorest citizens has gotten worse," Director Jack Frech. Click here to read the 2008-2009 Annual Report.

(Oct. 21, 2009) Report shows how America is failing to take care of poor children and families. The newly updated report, “TANF: Failing America’s Poorest Children,” details how cash assistance and food programs are underfunded and do not get families up to even half of the federal poverty level. Shockingly, over the last 11 years, only three states have increased their cash assistance funding to keep up with cost of living increases, and 23 states have not increased their cash assistance funding levels at all. Click here to read the report.

(July 2, 2009) Stories of our clients and the challenges they face. Click here to read about some of the obstacles are clients are facing and learn about how they are overcoming these challenges. Margaret's family does not have health insurance and cannot buy the insurance because of a pre-existing condition, Reta and Jerald are raising their grandchildren and one great-grandchild while dealing with health problems, and Jill is a single mother who is unable to work because of her own serious health problems. Several other stories and videos of our clients are also posted here.

(April 3, 2009) New hours for Job and Family Services offices Athens County Job and Family Services is now open from 8-5 pm. Monday through Friday. The only exception is The Work Station, which is staying open until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, click here.

(April 2, 2009) How the Economic Recovery Payments and the Making Work Pay Tax Credits can help you For information on the Making Work Pay Tax Credit, which provides tax refunds of up to $400 for working individuals and $800 for married couples, click here. This page also has information about other tax credits approved in the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For information on the Economic Recovery Payment checks that will be sent to those who receive Social Security, SSI, disabled veterans benefits or railroad retiree benefits, click here. For additional information on these new programs, click here for the IRS Web site.

(07/25/08)  ALERT:  Do NOT pay to file for extended unemployment benefits

Unemployment compensation customers should NOT pay to file for extended unemployment benefits.  Any contact with an entity charging a fee is not affiliated with the State of Ohio. 

It has been discovered that some claimants have mistakenly accessed alternate web sites and/or toll-free numbers to file for extended unemployment benefits.  

Do not give out credit card information to file for unemployment benefits.

(07/23/08)  Focus on the Basics

We must focus on the basics with a greater priority on financial resources for the poorest of the poor. The failure f government to ensure all families and individuals have sufficient income to meet their basic needs has caused holes in the safety net to steadily worsen.  We must provide sufficient benefits through our safety net programs to meet all basic needs for these families. This is already a crisis for the people affected by these issues.

We call upon our state and federal elected representatives to not turn away from these serious problems.  We must take immediate action!  

Get the position paper with recommendations (PDF document) 

Officially endorsed by 25 agencies in seven counties of SE Ohio!

Go to the "Don't Turn Away, Ohio" blog