Welfare Reform in Ohio

Welfare reform in Ohio represents a fundamental change in the way we look at public assistance. Its primary focus is to bring stability and self-sufficiency to people’s lives. To accomplish this goal, Ohio has developed two programs to address the needs of families: Ohio Works First and the Prevention Retention and Contingency program.

Ohio Works First (OWF)

Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of Ohio’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. OWF was established to provide time-limited assistance to eligible families. OWF provides cash benefits to eligible, needy families for up to 36 months. After 36 months, a family cannot receive additional cash assistance unless the County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) approves an extension of benefits. There are two kinds of extensions, hardship; and good cause. A family can receive a hardship extension any time after the 36-month time limit has ended. A family can only receive a good cause extension after a 24-month waiting period following the 36-month limit. Each CDJFS sets it’s own policies for hardship and good cause extensions. The emphasis of OWF is self-sufficiency, personal responsibility and employment. Applications and eligibility determinations for OWF are completed at the CDJFS. Eligibility determinations are based on the provisions contained in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and the Ohio Administrative Code. (OAC)