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Ohio Works First (OWF) is the name of a program that offers help in obtaining employment and time-limited financial assistance (welfare check) to needy Ohio Families. OWF replaced Aid to Dependent Children, the federal cash assistance program. If you qualify, a check will be mailed to you each month. The amount will be based on the number of people in the family and the family’s income. It’s important to note the OWF cash benefits now have time limits: the laws of the State of Ohio require that cash assistance ends after you have received thirty six months worth of benefits. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to receive additional cash assistance once your time limit has been exhausted.
As a condition of receiving your check, you will be asked to sign a self-sufficiency agreement. This is your blueprint to finding a job or getting a better job. Your worker will assist you to get job training and in finding a job. Each week you will be required to complete thirty hours of work activity, which can include working on a job, looking for a job, or being enrolled in a job training program. If you don’t engage in these activities, your checks may be stopped.
In addition to a welfare check, OWF offers a wide variety of programs to help you find a job, improve your skills, and find a better job.
Job Search - Job Readiness
Offers job readiness, job placement and retention services to OWF recipients who may have challenges to employment. Some of the challenges may include low basic skills, limited employment history, low education level, no high school diploma or GED, felony record, or low motivation.
Specialized Programs Serving Targeted Populations
Offers a combination of training, work experience, basic skills, job readiness, placement, and retention-based services for distinct groups of participants who share a predominant barrier to employment.
Specialized Programs Serving Targeted Populations
Provides Refugee Resettlement Services including language training and employment related programs designed to address the special needs of refugees and to assist families and individuals in moving towards economic and social self-sufficiency.
Occupational Skill Training
Offers short-term skill training in a specific occupation for participants who have few barriers to employment but may have a limited or unstable work history, and would benefit from training in a specific field. These programs include job readiness and job placement and retention services once training is completed.
Transitional Jobs Program (TJP)
Provides short-term subsidized jobs that offer a combination of real work experience, skill development, and supportive services for participants who have exhausted 24 or more months of OWF cash and have been unsuccessful gaining or retaining employment due to multiple or severe barriers to employment.
Employment Connection Cuyahoga County and Cleveland One-Stop Centers
The Employment Connection offers a comprehensive array of job services including job match, internet job search, career exploration, resume preparation and training.
The seven Neighborhood Family Service Center’s Career Centers are “access points” to the Employment Connection and provide a variety of employment and training services to low income individuals.
Customer may access information about EFS programs and benefits at the One-Stop Centers or one the web at http://workforce.cuyahogacounty.us/default.htm
WEP – Work Experience Program
Is an opportunity for OWF participants to gain workforce skills through a quality, time-limited internship. W.E.P. is designed to assist participants in gaining long-term, full time employment by providing work experience for those with little or no work history.
OWF is only available to families living with at least one minor child or pregnant women. Your eligibility is determined by your household income and by the number of people in the family.
You are not eligible if you are: single individuals who are not pregnant, families with no minor children, non-U.S. citizens or non-qualified aliens, fugitive felons, and those convicted of program fraud – where repayment has not yet occurred.
Application for OWF must be made in person at one of our seven Neighborhood Family Service Centers. Call (216) 987-7000 or click here to find out the NFSC nearest you and to schedule an appointment.
Prior to that appointment, you may complete form 7200 by clicking on the link below.
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*NOTE: The Application Forms can only be viewed using Adobe's free Acrobat Reader Software. To download a copy of Acrobat Reader, click on the picture below.  |
Once you have completed your application, you may take it in person to the Neighborhood Family Service Center that serves your community. This will speed up the processing of your application. To find the address of your NFSC, click here.
You may also mail or FAX in your application. If you submit your application by mail or FAX, you will be contacted in approximately two weeks for an appointment. To mail or FAX in your application, type in your zip code below.
Main Phone: (216) 987-7000.