Amid the coronavirus chaos, how do I get my benefits?

SANDUSKY — In response to COVID-19, The Erie County Department of Job and Family Services recognizes that now, more than ever, our services are needed and that it is our obligation to serve the public. We do, however, want to do our part to ensure the health and safety of those we serve as well as our employees. Therefore, we have taken proactive measures based on guidance and recommendations from Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Public Health, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Erie County commissioners and the Erie County Health Department. We have posted signs at the entrance of our agency requesting that the general public should not enter unless absolutely necessary. The vast majority of reasons for those entering the building can be conducted via phone, email, internet or by fax. Regarding each operation the Erie County operation oversees: Adult and child protective services Adult and child protective services can and will continue to take and respond to reports of abuse or neglect 24/7 by calling 419-626-KIDS between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. People can also call the Erie County Sheriff's Office at 419-625-7951 in the evenings, weekends and holidays and can request to speak with the on-call children services worker. Children services The children services unit has coordinated with the Erie County health commissioner, and the health department has provided the children services staff with some protective gear to wear when entering homes and completing fieldwork. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has provided a flowchart — to discuss with the families we are coming in contact with — to screen for potential COVID-19 symptoms. As for children in agency custody, we are working with our foster parents to provide extra support. Visitation We have suspended all supervised visitation at the agency. We arrived at this decision after detailed conversations with Judge Robert DeLamatre, the Erie County public defender's office, the Erie County CASA office and our agency attorney through the Erie County prosecutor's office. This aligns with what most counties are doing around the state and felt that this was the best decision for the overall health and safety of the children and families we serve as well as for the health and safety of our staff. We will make every effort to provide alternative communication options for families and children during this time. Reinstatement of family visitation will be revisited on April 14, 2020. Child support The child support enforcement division remains accessible and available. Most of the work can be completed over the phone or online. To access child support services, you can visit the state link at jfs.ohio.gov/Ocs/ or the customer service web portal at https://jfs.ohio.gov/Ocs/CustServWebPortalWelcome2.stm Once the paperwork is completed, it can be mailed back to the agency or can be dropped off in the agency's dropbox. Clients can email the documents to ERIE_CSEA_PAR221@jfs.ohio.gov or fax the documents to 419-624-6387. All walk-ins are being seen at the payment window, where there is a glass barrier, and staff are utilizing gloves. Payments are still being received as well and receipts will be given. All administrative hearings are now being completed by phone until further notice. The child support unit is actively working to develop a dropoff box for payments and an efficient way to send out receipts. Income maintenance The income maintenance division — which offers for food stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, daycare and temporary cash assistance for locals in need — has stopped all personal contact. All interviews are being completed over the phone, and clients are being encouraged to utilize the self-service portal at https://ssp.benefits.ohio.gov/ to update, recertify and apply for benefits. Redeterminations, new applications and any other changes can be processed through the call center and the portal. To apply for Medicaid, individuals can call 1-844-640-6446. Applications or other documents can be mailed to the agency at 221 W. Parish St., Sandusky, OH 44870, emailed to ERIE_CSEA_PAR221@jfs.ohio.gov, or faxed to 419-624-6478. Ohio Means Jobs The OhioMeansJobs branch in Erie County has closed until further notice. Staff, however, is maintaining contact with customers. In addition, customers can still visit http://omjec.org/ to find links about unemployment, employment opportunities and other helpful information. Customers can contact the Ohio Means Jobs general number at 419-627-4475, as well as the supervisor at 419-627-4411. In regard to any unemployment questions, please contact the unemployment office at 877-644-6562 or online at www.unemployment.ohio.gov.