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• Applying for SNAP, Medicaid or Cash Assistance

To apply for SNAP, Medicaid, Child Care or Cash Assistance

You may sometimes find there is a wait on our eligibility contact center to talk to an eligibility specialist. However, there are other ways to reach us:

To apply for benefits:

You can find more about how to create an account, apply for benefits, make case changes or upload documents here: How to Use the Self-Service Portal

If you need emergency assistance please visit our Emergency Food Assistance page for resources (food banks, etc.)

To check the status of your case:
Call 1-844-640-OHIO (6446) and select your language. You’ll be asked to provide your zip code, Social Security Number and date of birth. You will then be provided with your benefit status. Please allow at least five business days for us to update on your application. It takes some time for all your information and documents to be received and reviewed in the system. Please note that the agency may take up to 30 days to process an application.

To sign up for text alerts:
After you hear the status of your case, you will have the chance to sign up for text or voice notifications about your case. Text alerts can provide you with status updates on your benefits application. You can also get alerts with information about when it’s time to renew or complete interim reports to keep your benefits active.

If you need to submit documents:
The sooner you return the verification documents, the sooner your case can be completed. Return verification documents to us with your name and case number or social security number on ALL documents.

• ONLINE: Upload case verifications documents directly through the Ohio Benefits Self Services Portal. For more information on how to create an account and upload documents, visit How to Use the Self-Service Portal
• EMAIL: Take a picture of your verification documents and email it to CJFSDocs@jfs.ohio.gov. Please include your full name and case number in the email.
  • TIP: iPhone or iPad users can take pictures through the Notes App and easily email us your documents or upload them to the Self Service Portal.

  General Fax Numbers: (216) 987-7700 (216) 961-2630 (216) 881-4416

  (216) 391-5122 (216) 987-8487 (216) 635-2924

  Long-Term Care Fax: (216) 348-4210 JET (Work Programs) Fax: (216) 987-8974 PRC and Child Care Fax: (216) 987-8655

  Applying for Benefits

  Cuyahoga Job and Family Services provides access to an interpreter at no charge to customers who are limited – English proficient and individuals with impaired vision and/or hearing.

  Tips for applying online:

  • You can find how-to videos and more resources about how to create an account, apply for benefits, make case changes or upload documents here: How to Use the Self-Service Portal
  • If you have supporting documentation including identification, income verification and expenses, you can upload these documents to your case at the time you apply.

  By phone: Call our Eligibility Contact Center at 1-844-640-OHIO (6446)

  Tips for Applying by phone:

  • Virtual hold is available for all programs and will hold your place in line and call you back when it’s your turn to speak to a worker. (Note: If you call later in the day, you may receive your return call on the following business day, depending on call volume.)
  • Mondays tend to be higher volume days, lunch hours on any day of the week tend to be the busiest times for our Eligibility Contact Center as well. You may find wait times are lower at other times.

  By paper application:

  You can visit the below locations to pick up benefits applications and other CJFS forms:

  Virgil E. Brown 1641 Payne Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114

  Westshore 9830 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH 44102

  Quincy Place 8111 Quincy Ave. Cleveland, OH 44104

  Jane Edna Hunter 3955 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115

  Mt. Pleasant 13815 Kinsman Ave. Cleveland, OH 44120

  You may fill forms and applications out on-site and deposit them in the safe and secure drop-box, or you can take the from home to fill out and return to any one of these locations. Documents are collected daily on normal business days.

  Other Important Contact Numbers

  PRC Information Line: (216) 987-7392
  Customer Relations: (216) 802-2810
  Request a state hearing: 1-866-635-3748
  EBT Card Customer Service: 1-866-386-3071
  EPPI Card Customer Service Line: 1-866-320-8822
  Medicaid Managed Care: 1-800-324-8680

  Good Cause Lines for CJFS assigned work activities:

  • OWF (Cash Assistance) Good Cause Line: (216) 987-8656
  • SNAP to Skills Good Cause Line: (216) 987-6820