benefits
plus
Today I’m writing your offices not to file a complaint but to thank you personally for all your help you have offered me over the last couple years that I have been unemployed due to major back injuries. If it wasn’t for your program, I don’t know where I would be or how I would be able to afford the proper medical care, medications and food that I so desperately needed. Before I broke my back in a car accident September 2011, I was a hard-working bank teller — a single woman living on my own and attending school part-time and nights. In one night — in the blink of an eye — that all changed. And at 23 years of age, my whole life changed. But thanks to your helpful staff and program benefits, I can say that I am a survivor. Without your help, I wouldn’t have the proper care & resources I need. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. — Rachel Luellen
ensuring a healthy tomorrow
c
ar accident in 2011 left Rachel without income or health insurance. She was forced to seek help from the Clark County Department of Job & Family Services because of escalating medical bills and rising food costs for her family. The Clark County BenefitsPlus division was able to help her through the process of applying for Medicaid and food assistance while awaiting a decision for disability benefits
22
through Social Security. JESS Can you edit? Due to the “safety net” benefits she received, Rachel’s life has stabilized. This “Thank You” letter displays her gratitude for the assistance she received through BenefitsPlus. Rachel is one of the 26,000 Clark County residents that received food assistance in 2013.
benefits
plus
Today I’m writing your offices not to file a complaint but to thank you personally for all your help you have offered me over the last couple years that I have been unemployed due to major back injuries. If it wasn’t for your program, I don’t know where I would be or how I would be able to afford the proper medical care, medications and food that I so desperately needed. Before I broke my back in a car accident September 2011, I was a hard-working bank teller — a single woman living on my own and attending school part-time and nights. In one night — in the blink of an eye — that all changed. And at 23 years of age, my whole life changed. But thanks to your helpful staff and program benefits, I can say that I am a survivor. Without your help, I wouldn’t have the proper care & resources I need. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. — Rachel Luellen
ensuring a healthy tomorrow
c
ar accident in 2011 left Rachel without income or health insurance. She was forced to seek help from the Clark County Department of Job & Family Services because of escalating medical bills and rising food costs for her family. The Clark County BenefitsPlus division was able to help her through the process of applying for Medicaid and food assistance while awaiting a decision for disability benefits
22
through Social Security. JESS Can you edit? Due to the “safety net” benefits she received, Rachel’s life has stabilized. This “Thank You” letter displays her gratitude for the assistance she received through BenefitsPlus. Rachel is one of the 26,000 Clark County residents that received food assistance in 2013.
The BenefitsPlus division provides a broad array of services designed to support and strengthen individuals and families including: • Ohio Works First cash assistance to needy families while engaging them in work activities to promote self- sufficiency • Food Assistance program that ensures qualified customers are provided help with one of life’s basic needs • Medicaid health care that ensures access to quality health care while providing a wide array of medical benefits • Child care assistance that supports reliable care for their children so they can obtain and retain long-term employment • Prevention, Retention & Contingency (PRC) that provides benefits and services to needy and low-income, employed families who require short-term essential supports to move out of poverty and become self-sufficient
highlights
2013
2013 was an exciting and busy year for the BenefitsPlus division. Below are several highlights from the year.
child-friendly, pleasant waiting area at benefitsplus In March, the main lobby of Building A — one of the main buildings at Clark County Department of Job & Family Services — was transformed into the Reading Tree Park by Project Jericho artists, youth and families.
It became a more comfortable place for customers waiting to be served. Children’s books were donated for children to read while in the office and to take home.
summit on child care A meet and greet session with Child Care Centers took place in April. Changes in policies were reviewed by staff, and many best practices were exchanged by the centers.
food assistance employment & training program launch The Food Assistance Employment & Training (FAET) program came into full swing in June. Required individuals must engage in work activity initiatives in order to retain eligibility for the food assistance program. Failure to participate can result in a reduction of benefits or ineligibility for the program.
clark county: a model for benefit recovery Federal Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) conducted a Recipient Integrity Review in Ohio in July. Clark County was selected by state officials as a model county for benefit recovery and was visited by representatives from FNS to review our investigation and recovery processes. The FNS reviewers indicated that our tracking system was the most complete and accurate system they had seen in all of their 2013 reviews.
affordable care act in ohio Medicaid Expansion began to take shape in the last quarter of 2013. After three years of planning, the State of Ohio embarked on the first phase of changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act. Beginning October 1, residents could go to www.Benefits.Ohio.gov or www. healthcare.gov to seek assistance for health insurance coverage. The new Ohio Integrated Eligibility System (OIES) was rolled out as a replacement for Ohio’s 32-year-old Client Registry Information System (Enhanced) (CRISE) system for determination of Medicaid eligibility. The ACA mandated numerous changes in the Medicaid program, including the requirement that states develop an online application process based on the Modified Adjusted Gross Income of an applicant and, whenever possible, in real time. While enrollment got off to a slow start in October, applications were beginning to come in at a steady pace by the end of the year.
key facts
2013
• Over 35,000 individuals received Medicaid health care coverage each month. This is about one-fourth of Clark County’s population. • As of December 2013, over 26,250 individuals received food assistance benefits. • Nearly 700 children received Child Care benefits each month. • Over 850 applications were received for PRC services. • Nearly 33,000 Rides Plus trips were taken by eligible customers for medical appointments and employment in 2013.
did you know? ssistance through Ohio Works First (OWF), and families and individuals receiving food assistance benefits and health care through Medicaid.
The BenefitsPlus division provides a broad array of services designed to support and strengthen individuals and families including: • Ohio Works First cash assistance to needy families while engaging them in work activities to promote self- sufficiency • Food Assistance program that ensures qualified customers are provided help with one of life’s basic needs • Medicaid health care that ensures access to quality health care while providing a wide array of medical benefits • Child care assistance that supports reliable care for their children so they can obtain and retain long-term employment • Prevention, Retention & Contingency (PRC) that provides benefits and services to needy and low-income, employed families who require short-term essential supports to move out of poverty and become self-sufficient
highlights
2013
2013 was an exciting and busy year for the BenefitsPlus division. Below are several highlights from the year.
child-friendly, pleasant waiting area at benefitsplus In March, the main lobby of Building A — one of the main buildings at Clark County Department of Job & Family Services — was transformed into the Reading Tree Park by Project Jericho artists, youth and families.
It became a more comfortable place for customers waiting to be served. Children’s books were donated for children to read while in the office and to take home.
summit on child care A meet and greet session with Child Care Centers took place in April. Changes in policies were reviewed by staff, and many best practices were exchanged by the centers.
food assistance employment & training program launch The Food Assistance Employment & Training (FAET) program came into full swing in June. Required individuals must engage in work activity initiatives in order to retain eligibility for the food assistance program. Failure to participate can result in a reduction of benefits or ineligibility for the program.
clark county: a model for benefit recovery Federal Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) conducted a Recipient Integrity Review in Ohio in July. Clark County was selected by state officials as a model county for benefit recovery and was visited by representatives from FNS to review our investigation and recovery processes. The FNS reviewers indicated that our tracking system was the most complete and accurate system they had seen in all of their 2013 reviews.
affordable care act in ohio Medicaid Expansion began to take shape in the last quarter of 2013. After three years of planning, the State of Ohio embarked on the first phase of changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act. Beginning October 1, residents could go to www.Benefits.Ohio.gov or www. healthcare.gov to seek assistance for health insurance coverage. The new Ohio Integrated Eligibility System (OIES) was rolled out as a replacement for Ohio’s 32-year-old Client Registry Information System (Enhanced) (CRISE) system for determination of Medicaid eligibility. The ACA mandated numerous changes in the Medicaid program, including the requirement that states develop an online application process based on the Modified Adjusted Gross Income of an applicant and, whenever possible, in real time. While enrollment got off to a slow start in October, applications were beginning to come in at a steady pace by the end of the year.
key facts
2013
• Over 35,000 individuals received Medicaid health care coverage each month. This is about one-fourth of Clark County’s population. • As of December 2013, over 26,250 individuals received food assistance benefits. • Nearly 700 children received Child Care benefits each month. • Over 850 applications were received for PRC services. • Nearly 33,000 Rides Plus trips were taken by eligible customers for medical appointments and employment in 2013.
did you know? ssistance through Ohio Works First (OWF), and families and individuals receiving food assistance benefits and health care through Medicaid.