| Frequently Asked Questions |
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- What is the virtual Neighborhood Family Service Center?
The Virtual NFSC is an online version of our Neighborhood Family Service Center. Here you will find detailed descriptions of our benefits programs. And you’ll find other useful features as screening to see if you are eligible for benefits, on-line applications, case worker look up and contact functions, and features that enable you to learn the status of your application or of your benefits. From the office, the local library, or anywhere you can access the Internet, the answers to your questions are at your fingertips. For a Listing of Neighborhood Family Service Centers & Services click here.
- Will any information I enter be confidential?
All information entered through the virtual Neighborhood Family Service Center is completely confidential and protected by secure, state of the art servers.
- How do I apply for assistance?
By Phone: For some of our programs, for example Healthy Start and Child Care, you can make your application over the phone. Call (216) 987 – 7346, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Over the internet: Applications for many of our programs are available on-line. Click here to apply for Healthy Start, Child Care Assistance.
In Person: Visit one of our seven Neighborhood Family Service Centers. To find the center that serves your neighborhood, click here. During your first visit, you will be seen by an intake worker who will schedule you for an appointment with a case worker. Please make sure to keep your appointment. Your case worker will explore your eligibility for all of the benefit programs offered by Employment & Family Services.
- What do I need to bring to an interview?
You are not required to have anything with you in order to make an application. However, bringing the following items can speed up the process. While there are some differences between programs, you may need to verify your identity, provide a Social Security number for all household members, verify any resource (i.e. bank or credit union accounts, retirement accounts, stocks or bonds, real estate, vehicles, etc.), provide proof of gross monthly income for all household members and proof of your residence. In addition, any person that is not a U.S. citizen must verify alien status. For Food Stamps, we also need to evaluate your rent or mortgage payment and any utility expenses. Persons who are disabled or age 60 and above should also provide proof of any medical expenses. For TANF, you need to verify the date of birth and your relationship to children for whom you are applying.
- I work. Can I still get benefits?
All recipients are encouraged to work and support their family and most do. In fact, an able-bodied adult with no minor child in the home is permitted to receive Food Stamps for only 3 months in a 36 month period unless participating in a work activity for at least 20 hours a week. Your benefit amount will depend on the size of your household and the amount of income you earn. A parent who receives TANF must participate in an employment program called Ohio Works First (OWF) once their youngest child turns 18 months old. Once enrolled in OWF, their TANF benefits are subject to time limits. Child daycare services are available for most working families.
- How long does it take to get benefits?
Processing requirements vary by program. TANF, Medicaid and General Relief require action within 45 days. An application for Medicaid for a pregnant woman must be processed within 10 days following receipt of all requested verifications. Food Stamps and SLH applications must be completed within 30 days. Persons who meet certain criteria for Food Stamps are entitled to expedited processing within 7 days.
- How can I find out who is my caseworker? Who is my caseworker’s supervisor?
Call (216) 987-7000.
Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Spanish
Press 2 if you are enrolled in an assistance program
Press 2 for name & telephone number of County workers
Enter your Social Security Number;
Press 2 for case worker or Press 3 for case worker's supervisor.
Press 2 to be transferred directly to your worker’s number or Press 9 to end call.
- What is the mail out date for my benefits?
Call the Automated Information Line: (216) 987-7000.
When you hear the first message, press the number code listed below for Mailbox 30042 gives that information as listed by MIS' Important Date schedule. Clients can also add 1 to the 10th digit of the case number to determine the date. However, sometimes those dates will not coincide with MIS' information.
- My check comes to the main office (Virgil E. Brown building). Is it there?
Call the OWF Check Line at (216) 987-7372. The recording only indicates whether the checks are in or not. It does not give individual information.
- My Ohio Direction Card doesn’t work. What do I do?
Return to the NFSC where your card was issued.
- I lost my Ohio Direction Card. What do I do?
Call 1-800-944-3273 (Ohio Direction Card Customer Service) to report that the card is lost. Then go to the NFSC which issued the card.
- How do I get certified to become a childcare provider?
Currently, Cuyahoga County is not accepting new applications for child care providers. Check back in several months.
- I am a childcare provider. Who is my worker?
Call the Child Care Hotline at (216) 987–7022. Be ready to enter your Day Care Provider number.
- How do I request a state hearing?
A Hearing before may be requested any time you feel that you have been as the result of an action or the lack of action on the part of the county. You may call 1-866-635-3748 to request a hearing. Or, you may click here to print out an application to ask for a hearing.
- How do I report welfare fraud?
Call the Fraud Hotline at: (216) 987 6950. Your call is confidential and anonymous.
WHO IS MY WORKER
You can look up your worker’s name and phone number. You can also look up your worker’s supervisor’s number.
Call (216) 987-7000.
Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Spanish
Press 2 if you are enrolled in an assistance program
Press 2 for name & telephone number of County workers
Enter your Social Security Number;
Press 2 for case worker or Press 3 for case worker's supervisor.
Press 2 to be transferred directly to your worker’s number or Press 9 to end call.