IMPORTANT NOTICES

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November

 

This is an alert to inform our clients about a potential disruption to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November.

Ashland County SNAP recipients may not receive benefits because of the federal government shutdown.

We are closely monitoring the situation.  The latest communication from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is that the federal shutdown may cause a delay in SNAP benefits beginning Saturday, November 1.   We do not have information about how long the delay will last.  We are waiting for additional updates from the state and federal government, and we will share more information on our website when it becomes available.   Please check our website regularly for updates on the status of your November SNAP benefits.

The Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services remains open during the federal shutdown.  We will continue to process new applications and client recertifications to ensure benefit accuracy when federal funding resumes.  All SNAP eligibility requirements remain in effect during the shutdown.  

For Ashland County residents seeking additional help through this emergency, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks maintains a list of county-level partners on its website:

https://ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks/

 

Additional local resources (click below):

FOOD RESOURCE LIST - ASHLAND COUNTY

FOOD RESOURCE LIST - LOCAL BROCURES

FOOD RESOURCE LIST - SURROUNDING COUNTIES

 

 Ashland County Medicaid recipients: 

The federal shutdown does not affect Medicaid at this time. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has confirmed it has sufficient funding to support Medicaid through at least the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.


Fraud Alert: Complaints Regarding 866 or 844 Numbers

The State Fraud Control Section has been made aware of complaints regarding calls made to our SNAP clients from 866 or 844 toll-free numbers shortly after making application or a change to their case. The perpetrator will ask for money in exchange to have their SNAP case processed in 1 or 2 days.  There is no cost to you to process your SNAP application or any public assistance application.  


 A new way to protect SNAP benefits!  

There is a card lock feature in the ConnectEBT mobile app to assist Ohioans in securing their SNAP benefits. The card lock feature allows the cardholder to lock their card when not in use.  The EBT cardholder should consider setting their card to a locked status until they are actively making a purchase with the EBT card. Once the purchase is successful the cardholder can then lock their card again using the ConnectEBT mobile app.  Additionally, ODJFS uses card activity alerts in the ConnectEBT mobile app. These alerts notify the card holder when their card has been used to make a purchase, receive a refund for a return, PIN changes and deposits. 


Need to apply for unemployment benefits?   

You can file online at https://unemployment.ohio.gov/ 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  If you don’t have a computer or internet access, you can apply by phone by calling 1- 877-644-6562, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ODJFS Creates New Hotline for Victims of Unemployment Identity Theft

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has established a new toll-free number for individuals to notify the agency if they believe their personal information was compromised and used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim: (833) 658-0394. This number is staffed by 50 dedicated, cross-trained customer service representatives, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. One way victims have been discovering identity theft is by receiving an IRS 1099-G form for unemployment benefits that were never received.

The phone number complements a secure online portal ODJFS established last month to provide a direct way for victims to report identity theft. Individuals who believe their identity was stolen and used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim can visit unemployment.ohio.gov, click on the “Report Identity Theft” button and follow the guidance for individuals. This includes three steps: 1. Complete the reporting form, 2. File your taxes with IRS guidance, and 3. Protect your identity. 

Identity theft is a widespread national challenge. Many Ohioans have become victims, and their identities used to file fraudulent unemployment claims in both the traditional unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs. Last month, ODJFS issued 1.7 million 1099-G tax forms to individuals in whose names unemployment benefits were paid in 2020. Many of those individuals were never paid unemployment benefits and did not know their identity had been compromised until they received a 1099-G form

 

Looking for a job?  Or looking to post a job opening?   There are thousands of job postings on the JobSearch.Ohio.Gov website from hundreds of companies. We encourage individuals or employers to visit the website and apply for a position or post their job opportunities.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Public Assistance Programs: To apply for, renew or update cash, food, medical or child care assistance, call 1-844-640-6446 or click to apply at www.benefits.ohio.gov. You can drop off documents in the drop box located at the main entrance on Fourth Street. (Please do not leave cash or checks in this box).  

Child Support Enforcement: Customers may request services by calling the agency or visiting our website (forms available). Customers may also access the Ohio Child Support Customer Service Portal Web Portal to view and print payment information, and message a caseworker.  You can make child support payments by credit/debit card at https://oh.smartchildsupport.com or by calling 1-888-965-2676. You can also send payments to Ohio CSPC, P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, OH 43218-2372,  and please make sure to include Case Name, Social Security Number, Case and Order Number. 

Child and Adult Protective Services: Normal business hours, Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Emergency on-call services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have questions about your case, please contact your caseworker by phone or email.

To report child abuse or neglect, call 419-282-5001 or call 911 for emergencies. 

Workforce and OhioMeansJobs Services:  The OMJ resource room is open to the public.  No appointment necessary.  Call us to learn about our employment assistance services, 419-282-5000.   See the LOCAL JOBS button on our main page.  If you have internet access, search for jobs at  www.ohiomeansjobs.com .

 ASHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC WIFI HOTSPOTS: Ashland County Fairgrounds, Corner Park (W. Main St. & Claremont Ave.), Brookside Park Main Ball Diamond, Brookside Bandshell, Nankin (between church & ball field), Kendig Park in Hayesville, Ashland Public Library.  

 


Main Line: (419) 282-5000
Toll Free: (800) 589-8141 
Fax: 419-282-5006
 – WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act)
419-282-5007 – PCSA (Public Children Services Agency, “Children's Services”)
419-282-5008 – CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency)
419-282-5009 – IM (Income Maintenance) / Public Assistance
419-282-5010 – Fraud / Support / Front Desk
419-282-5011 – Human Resources / Administration

Report Suspected Abuse
(419) 282-5001
TDD for Hearing/Speech Impaired
(419) 282-5002 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Information contained on the Ashland County Department of Job and Family Services (ACDJFS) website is believed to be accurate however ACDJFS does not guarantee the accuracy of such information and disclaims any liability for any errors or omissions. ACDJFS shall not be liable for any losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or timeliness of such information, including, but not limited to, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use this website.

Copyright © 2025 Ashland County Dept. of Job and Family Services. All rights reserved.