SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid Updates via Gesher

We would like to remind you that during this time our office is closed, yet, we are available to assist you remotely. Please email us at info@geshercleveland.org or call us at 216-862-4599 and we will do our best to respond within 24 hours.

A Note From CDJFS Director, Kevin Gowan;

To our community partners,

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced earlier this month that some Ohio Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will be automatically receiving additional SNAP benefits for the months of March and April 2020, due to the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Assistance groups that did not receive the maximum allotment for their household size in the month of April 2020 will be issued an additional payment, scheduled for this week. This additional payment will be added to the issuance that was received in April to equal the maximum allotment amount for their household size. Additional SNAP benefits for March 2020 have already been issued to all eligible assistance groups. Please see the attached fact sheet for information about the additional SNAP benefits.

Please advise the community not to call the Eligibility Contact Center about the additional SNAP benefits. They will be automatically added to their Ohio Direction Card.

Additionally, to reduce contact with others when shopping for grocery items, retailers that provide the option of accepting SNAP benefits for online ordering have been identified. Customers will be able to order online and pay with their SNAP benefits for pick up curbside or in some cases inside the store. The customer may be able to pay outside if the retailer has a mobile point-of-sale device.

The following retailers have been identified in Cuyahoga County, both retailers require an online account to be created:

• Giant Eagle: All locations in Ohio – Minimum purchase amount is $35
• Walmart: All locations in Ohio – Minimum purchase amount is $30

Thank you for your support and assistance.

In the Spirit of Service,

Kevin Gowan
Administrator
Cuyahoga Job and Family Services

In addition to the above notice, we have also received notices regarding the extension of certification periods and periodic reporting (Interim Report) for SNAP and TANF (Cash).

• Certification periods for SNAP and Cash households scheduled to expire in March, April, May and June 2020 are being extended for 6 months until September, October, November, and December 2020.

Medicaid Update: 
Due to the high demand of Ohioans applying for Medicaid, the Ohio Department of Medicaid has issued guidance that county Job and Family Service agencies stop processing Medicaid renewals at this time. Medicaid coverage will not be lost because the renewal process was not able to be completed. This guidance is until further notice.

Child Care Update:
There have been no changes to the program at this time.WIC Update:
Ohio WIC was granted a waiver from USDA on physical presence.  Participants do not need to be present for their appointments.  All anthropometric measurements and bloodwork are also waived at this time.Cuyahoga County WIC staff are:

• completing most of the WIC appointment by phone BEFORE the participant or parent/caregiver needs to come to load the WIC Nutrition Card (WNC).
• verbally reviewing and documenting forms, and can sign and date on behalf of the participant.
• asking that the participant or parent/caregiver come to the WIC office alone, if possible.  Infants and children do not need to come in at this time.
• sending a daily text message to participants asking them to call the WIC office BEFORE coming to the WIC office.

Please note: While WIC staff are able to complete most of the visit via telephone the parent/caregiver must still come into the WIC office to have the WIC Nutrition Card (WNC) loaded. This card cannot be loaded over the phone, and the card cannot be mailed. At Cleveland Hts WIC, the parent/caregiver must enter through the MetroHealth Emergency Department (ED) entrance.  Everyone entering any MH facility is screened and needs to wear their own mask (or MH will provide a mask) that must be worn when in the building. The above protocol is mandatory and put in place to protect the staff and visitors of MetroHealth Hospital. If you are not comfortable entering the building through the ED entrance, you will not be able to receive WIC benefits at this time. Please be mindful of this BEFORE discussing your benefits with the WIC representative.