Public Assistance
Ashland County Department of Job & Family Services promotes health, safety, and self-sufficiency with a number of public assistance programs designed to help individuals and families when they need it most. We are a fiscally responsible agency dedicated to serving our community with dignity, respect, and solutions that improve long-term quality of life.
ODJFS Clients Rights and Responsibilities
If You Need Help with…
Food, shelter, clothing, medical care, transportation, childcare, or other day-to-day economic challenges,
ACDJFS Provides…
Long-term assistance, short-term assistance, monetary support, and services, including:
Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a food assistance program designed to raise nutritional levels and to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals in low income households in Ohio.
Do I Qualify?
A person may qualify for benefits if the household's gross monthly income (before taxes) is within 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Food Assistance Program benefits can be used to buy most food or food products intended for human consumption.
Cash Assistance
(Ohio Works First)
Ohio Works First was established to provide time-limited cash assistance to eligible families through Ohio's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program which emphasizes employment, personal responsibility and self-sufficiency.
Am I Eligible?
In order to be eligible for OWF, a household must include the following:
- A minor child or a pregnant woman in the 3rd trimester
- A child residing with a parent, specified relative, legal guardian or legal custodian
- Unmarried minor parents and pregnant minors must be in an approved adult-supervised living arrangement
Medical Assistance
Medicaid is a state and federally funded health care coverage plan providing assistance to qualifying individuals and families.
- Non-Emergency Transportation Services (NET)
- Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Medicaid
- Healthchek
- Pregnancy Related Services (PRS)
Am I Eligible?
The following individuals may qualify for Medicaid coverage in Ohio:
- Individuals with low income
- Pregnant women, infants, and children
- Older adults
- Individuals with disabilities
For more information, please visit Medicaid.ohio.gov
Child Care Assistance
Child care services are available for qualified parents or families of children being cared for in certified homes and licensed child care centers.
Do I Qualify?
If you are employed or attending an accredited school and your income is below 130% of poverty level, you may qualify for subsidized child care.
Become a Childcare Provider
If you have a heart for children and are interested in becoming a childcare provider, the ACDJFS can help you begin a career in child care.
Becoming a Childcare Provider
Non-Emergency Transportation Services
Transportation is available to those who qualify for medical and counseling appointments. The NET program is designed to increase access to medical appointments. Consumers residing in Ashland County who are current recipients of Medicaid attending a Medicaid reimbursable medical appointment can access NET by requesting services by phone, mail, or in person during our regular business hours. Please contact us 2 weeks prior to your scheduled appointment when possible, however we will make every effort to accommodate requests received in less than 10 working days. A request for service does not guarantee availability of Ashland County NET Program drivers.
To get services contact our office at 419-282-5086
Please have the following information available when requesting service:
- Doctor's full name, address, & phone number
- Appointment date & time
- Patient's name & Social Security Number
- Wheelchair of special access required
- If anyone accompanying the client as a PCA or caretaker
Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Medicaid
When applying for institutional care through Medicaid, applicants will need to show proof of income, resources, disability, U.S. Citizenship, and other health insurance. Individuals must also meet Transfer of Resources provisions. Once it is determined that financial requirements are met, a level of care assessment will be conducted to identify the appropriate type of long-term care Medicaid will provide.
Once the care needs of the individual are determined, an additional computation is completed to establish how much of their income will be applied to the cost of the institution. This is called the Patient Liability.
Healthchek
Healthchek is Ohio’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program. It is a service package for babies, kids, and young adults under the age of 21 who are enrolled in Ohio Medicaid.
For more information, please visit Healthchek Services.
Pregnancy Related Services (PRS)
The Pregnancy Related Services Program monitors the medical care of pregnant Medicaid recipients and arranges for any services needed to have a healthy pregnancy.
Benefits:
- Help making your medical appointments.
- Transportation to Medicaid-covered services.
- Referral to Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This is a program that gives food and nutrition education to eligible pregnant women, mothers, and children.
- Information about Healthchek Services.
- Other referrals based on your needs.
ACDJFS Is Here to Help
If you need assistance, we’re here to build a bridge of hope with you. Contact us to get started - we’ll guide you through the process.

Phone
For immediate assistance, call 1-844-640-OHIO (6446) to apply or renew over the phone. A caseworker will assist you in the application process needed to determine eligibility.
In Person
If you have a special circumstance that limits you from applying over the phone or online, we're here to assist you in person at 15 W. Fourth Street.