September is National Hunger Action Month!

In case you don’t know how to apply for Food Assistance, I wanted to explain step by step how to do it (for people living in Hamilton County, Ohio.)

How to Apply

STEP ONE: PRINT an application for Job & Family Services. I provided the downloads for you at the bottom of this post for easy access. Just download & print! You are able to print this application for free at your local library if you do not have access to a printer.

They do offer an online option, but from experience I have had the most success doing it exactly the way I am sharing – the good old-fashioned pen & paper method.

STEP TWO: Fill out application to the best of your ability.

***If you need help to fill out an application, please contact the Hamilton County Community Action Center or The Healing Center. Your local library is also able to help fill out your JFS application. All of these places provide assistance for free.***

STEP THREE: Gather all necessary documents. For *FOOD ONLY* you will need the following:

• Identification: -State ID, -Drivers License, -Military ID, -Passport, -birth certificate, -social security card, -Visa documents for Refugees for each member of the family unit. (Provide as much as you can, Children will have less documents.)
• Employment Verification for all members working members of the family unit: -Your last 4 paystubs OR Employment Verification Form (there is a seperate form for Self-Employment Verification), -unemployment benefits, -Veteran benefits, -Social Security Benefits, -Child Support (either what you pay OR what you receive based on your individual case),  any other consistant or large earnings you receive such as gambling. Again, provide what you can. You won’t have all of these documents.
• Household Verification: -Deed, -Mortgage statement, -Rent receipt, -Lease agreement, -Letter from landlord, -Letter from person you are residing with, -Can also state Homelessness. -Current Energy bill, -Homeowners Insurance, -Renters Insurance, -Phone bill.
• Resources: -Current bank statements (can prove you are in an emergency situation and bump your case to top priority), -Car title, -life insurance policy.

*** If you are also applying for childcare, you will need to provide your work or school schedule to show the amount of childcare needed. Daycare Vouchers cover the full or partial cost of daycare or after-school care, depending on your individual situation. You will need to find your own provider that accepts daycare Vouchers.***

STEP FOUR: Take application and documents to your local library and fill out the Job & Family Services Fax Cover Letter (it is usually out where all of the upcoming events is, but if it is not just ask your librarian for help. The cover letter is meant to track the amount of papers you are submitting. Once the cover letter is filled out, ask your librarian to please help fax the papers to the Job & Family Services Offices. They will give you a short confirmation receipt that they were received. Hold onto this letter – documents have been known to “go missing.” This receipt will act as proof that you did in fact submit such documents at what day & time.

Next Steps

After you fax your documents, you will receive a text confirmation from JFS stating that your documents were received. It will look like this:

Shortly after you receive this text, you will receive a letter by mail stating that a telephone interview has been scheduled. It will provide a day, time, and phone number to call for your interview. It is very important that you do not miss this time!!!

Call on the day & time the letter provides and answer the questions that the social worker asks.

Important Information + Produce Perks

Expect VERY long wait times on hold, sometimes up to two hours. They can provide a translator and will ask if one is needed at the beginning of the interview. If you are using your own translator, please plan accordingly around the long wait times.

If this is your first time applying, a card will be sent to you in the mail with your benefits loaded on it. You will need to call to activate the new card and set up your PIN.

You will need to re-apply every 6 months. JFS will send you a letter in the mail letting you know that it is time along with a re-determination application.

You’ll be able to use your card at any grocery store, or any gas station that accepts SNAP. There will be a small sign or sticker on the door letting your know that SNAP is accepted.

At Findlay Market (and certain other local farmers markets), you can use your SNAP card as Produce Perks to get $1 for $1 on fresh fruits & vegetables up to $25 of free fruits & vegetables per day. For example, if you spend $15 on produce, you’ll be given an extra $15 to spend on more produce.

It is an incentive for families to use their benefits on healthy food choices.

You can also see if you qualify to sign up for their Fruit & Vegetable coupon booklet to use towards more fruits & vegetables than the alloted $25 per day, or when your food card runs out. Each booklet is worth $140, each coupon being worth $5. You would use these coupons the same way you would cash.

I truly hope this helps ♡

Applications to Download

Until next time ♡ Mama Morozov