Chapter 5107 | Ohio Works First Program

Section 5107.01 | Legislative policy.

• Effective: October 1, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 408 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) The Ohio general assembly hereby states the following beliefs with regard to the Ohio works first program:

(1) That the first priority for minor heads of household and adults participating in the program is to work, which includes keeping an employer's schedule and satisfying the employer's work requirements, and to develop marketable skills.

(2) That many minor heads of household and adults participating in the program need to complete high school or receive training for an occupation in order to qualify for employment.

(B) The general assembly recognizes that some provisions of the Ohio works first program as operated pursuant to federal waivers granted by the United States secretary of health and human services pursuant to requests made under former section 5101.09 of the Revised Code enacted by Substitute House Bill No. 167 of the 121st general assembly and pursuant to requests made under section 5107.30 of the Revised Code, regarding the LEAP program, prior to the enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) are inconsistent with that act. It is the intent of the general assembly to rely on the federal waivers for authority to conduct the program in the manner specified in this chapter to ensure the work readiness of program participants by requiring at least twenty hours of weekly participation in work activities, including, except as limited by division (B)(2) of section 5107.43 of the Revised Code, a work activity established under section 5107.58 of the Revised Code in which a participant is enrolled full-time in post-secondary education leading to vocation, and no more than ten hours of weekly participation in developmental activities in accordance with sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.02 | Ohio works first program definitions.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Adult" means an individual who is not a minor child.

(B) "Assistance group" means a group of individuals treated as a unit for purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of assistance provided under Ohio works first.

(C) "Custodian" means an individual who has legal custody, as defined in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code, of a minor child or comparable status over a minor child created by a court of competent jurisdiction in another state.

(D) "Domestic violence" means being subjected to any of the following:

(1) Physical acts that resulted in, or threatened to result in, physical injury to the individual;

(2) Sexual abuse;

(3) Sexual activity involving a dependent child;

(4) Being forced as the caretaker relative of a dependent child to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities;

(5) Threats of, or attempts at, physical or sexual abuse;

(6) Mental abuse;

(7) Neglect or deprivation of medical care.

(E) "Guardian" means an individual that is granted authority by a probate court pursuant to Chapter 2111. of the Revised Code, or a court of competent jurisdiction in another state, to exercise parental rights over a minor child to the extent provided in the court's order and subject to residual parental rights of the minor child's parents.

(F) "LEAP program" means the learning, earning, and parenting program conducted under section 5107.30 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Minor child" means either of the following:

(1) An individual who has not attained age eighteen;

(2) An individual who has not attained age nineteen and is a full-time student in a secondary school or in the equivalent level of vocational or technical training.

(H) "Minor head of household" means a minor child who is either of the following:

(1) Is married, pregnant, and a member of an assistance group that does not include an adult;

(2) Is married and is a parent of a child included in the same assistance group that does not include an adult.

(I) "Ohio works first" means the program established by this chapter known as temporary assistance for needy families in Title IV-A.

(J) "Payment standard" means the amount specified in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code that is the maximum amount of cash assistance an assistance group may receive under Ohio works first from state and federal funds.

(K) "Specified relative" means the following individuals who are age eighteen or older:

(1) The following individuals related by blood or adoption:

(a) Grandparents, including grandparents with the prefix "great," "great-great," or "great-great-great";

(b) Siblings;

(c) Aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces, including such relatives with the prefix "great," "great-great," "grand," or "great-grand";

(d) First cousins and first cousins once removed.

(2) Stepparents and stepsiblings;

(3) Spouses and former spouses of individuals named in division (K)(1) or (2) of this section.

(L) "Title IV-A" or "Title IV-D" means Title IV-A or Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended.

Last updated August 16, 2023 at 1:47 PM

Section 5107.03 | Administration of program.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

There is hereby established the Ohio works first program. The department of job and family services shall administer the program, as long as federal funds are provided for the program, in accordance with Title IV-A, federal regulations, state law, the Title IV-A state plan submitted to the United States secretary of health and human services under section 5101.80 of the Revised Code, amendments to the plan, and federal waivers granted by the United States secretary.

Section 5107.04 | Sources of cash assistance payments.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

As used in this section, "cost-of-living adjustment" means the cost-of-living adjustment made by the United States commissioner of social security under 42 U.S.C. 415(i) for benefits provided under Title II of the "Social Security Act of 1935."

The department of job and family services shall make all cash assistance payments for Ohio works first from funds appropriated for the Ohio works first program. The amount of a cash assistance payment the department is to make to an assistance group shall be determined in accordance with rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code and shall not exceed the payment standard. The department shall increase the payment standard on January 1, 2009, and the first day of each January thereafter by the cost-of-living adjustment made in the immediately preceding December.

A county department of job and family services may use county funds to increase the amount of cash assistance an assistance group receives. An increase in the amount of cash assistance that results from such a use of county funds shall not be included as countable income, gross earned income, or gross unearned income of the assistance group.

Section 5107.05 | Adoption of rules.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The director of job and family services shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. The rules shall be consistent with Title IV-A, Title IV-D, federal regulations, state law, the Title IV-A state plan submitted to the United States secretary of health and human services under section 5101.80 of the Revised Code, amendments to the plan, and waivers granted by the United States secretary. Rules governing eligibility, program participation, and other applicant and participant requirements shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. Rules governing financial and other administrative requirements applicable to the department of job and family services and county departments of job and family services shall be adopted in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code.

(A) The rules shall specify, establish, or govern all of the following:

(1) A payment standard for Ohio works first based on federal and state appropriations that is increased in accordance with section 5107.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) For the purpose of section 5107.04 of the Revised Code, the method of determining the amount of cash assistance an assistance group receives under Ohio works first;

(3) Requirements for initial and continued eligibility for Ohio works first, including requirements regarding income, citizenship, age, residence, and assistance group composition;

(4) For the purpose of section 5107.12 of the Revised Code, application and verification procedures, including the minimum information an application must contain;

(5) The extent to which a participant of Ohio works first must notify, pursuant to section 5107.12 of the Revised Code, a county department of job and family services of additional income not previously reported to the county department;

(6) For the purpose of section 5107.16 of the Revised Code, both of the following:

(a) Standards for the determination of good cause for failure or refusal to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract;

(b) The compliance activities a member of an assistance group must complete for the member to be considered to have ceased to fail or refuse to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract.

(7) The department of job and family services providing written notice of a sanction under section 5107.161 of the Revised Code;

(8) For the purpose of division (B) of section 5107.17 of the Revised Code, the circumstances under which the adult member of an assistance group or an assistance group's minor head of household whose failure or refusal, without good cause, to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract causes a sanction under section 5107.16 of the Revised Code must enter into a new, or amend an existing, self-sufficiency contract before the assistance group may resume participation in Ohio works first following the sanction;

(9) Requirements for the collection and distribution of support payments owed participants of Ohio works first pursuant to section 5107.20 of the Revised Code;

(10) For the purpose of section 5107.22 of the Revised Code, what constitutes cooperating in establishing a minor child's paternity or establishing, modifying, or enforcing a child support order and good cause for failure or refusal to cooperate;

(11) The requirements governing the LEAP program, including the definitions of "equivalent of a high school diploma" and "good cause," and the incentives provided under the LEAP program;

(12) If the director implements section 5107.301 of the Revised Code, the requirements governing the award provided under that section, including the form that the award is to take and requirements an individual must satisfy to receive the award;

(13) Circumstances under which a county department of job and family services may exempt a minor head of household or adult from participating in a work activity or developmental activity for all or some of the weekly hours otherwise required by section 5107.43 of the Revised Code.

(14) The maximum amount of time the department will subsidize positions created by state agencies and political subdivisions under division (C) of section 5107.52 of the Revised Code;

(15) The implementation of sections 5107.71 to 5107.717 of the Revised Code by county departments of job and family services;

(16) A domestic violence screening process to be used for the purpose of division (A) of section 5107.71 of the Revised Code;

(17) The minimum frequency with which county departments of job and family services must redetermine a member of an assistance group's need for a waiver issued under section 5107.714 of the Revised Code;

(18) Requirements for work activities, developmental activities, and alternative work activities for Ohio works first participants.

(B) The rules adopted under division (A)(3) of this section regarding income shall specify what is countable income, gross earned income, and gross unearned income for the purpose of section 5107.10 of the Revised Code. The rules also shall specify the amount of an assistance group's gross earned income that is to be disregarded for the purpose of division (D)(3) of section 5107.10 of the Revised Code.

The rules adopted under division (A)(10) of this section shall be consistent with 42 U.S.C. 654(29).

The rules adopted under division (A)(13) of this section shall specify that the circumstances include that a school or place of work is closed due to a holiday or weather or other emergency and that an employer grants the minor head of household or adult leave for illness or earned vacation.

(C) The rules may provide that a county department of job and family services is not required to take action under section 5107.76 of the Revised Code to recover an erroneous payment under circumstances the rules specify.

Section 5107.10 | Time-limited cash assistance.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Countable income," "gross earned income," and "gross unearned income" have the meanings established in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Federal poverty guidelines" has the same meaning as in section 5101.46 of the Revised Code, except that references to a person's family in the definition shall be deemed to be references to the person's assistance group.

(3) "Gross income" means gross earned income and gross unearned income.

(4) "Strike" means continuous concerted action in failing to report to duty; willful absence from one's position; or stoppage of work in whole from the full, faithful, and proper performance of the duties of employment, for the purpose of inducing, influencing, or coercing a change in wages, hours, terms, and other conditions of employment. "Strike" does not include a stoppage of work by employees in good faith because of dangerous or unhealthful working conditions at the place of employment that are abnormal to the place of employment.

(B) Under the Ohio works first program, an assistance group shall receive, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, time-limited cash assistance. In the case of an assistance group that includes a minor head of household or adult, assistance shall be provided in accordance with the self-sufficiency contract entered into under section 5107.14 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) To be eligible to participate in Ohio works first, an assistance group must meet all of the following requirements:

(a) The assistance group, except as provided in division (E) of this section, must include at least one of the following:

(i) A minor child who, except as provided in section 5107.24 of the Revised Code, resides with a parent, or specified relative caring for the child, or, to the extent permitted by Title IV-A and federal regulations adopted until Title IV-A, resides with a guardian or custodian caring for the child;

(ii) A parent residing with and caring for the parent's minor child who receives supplemental security income under Title XVI of the "Social Security Act," 86 Stat. 1475 (1972), 42 U.S.C.A. 1383, as amended, or federal, state, or local adoption assistance;

(iii) A specified relative residing with and caring for a minor child who is related to the specified relative in a manner that makes the specified relative a specified relative and receives supplemental security income or federal, state, or local foster care assistance, kinship guardianship assistance, kinship support program payments, or adoption assistance;

(iv) A pregnant woman.

(b) The assistance group must meet the income requirements established by division (D) of this section.

(c) No member of the assistance group may be involved in a strike.

(d) The assistance group must satisfy the requirements for Ohio works first established by this chapter and section 5101.83 of the Revised Code.

(e) The assistance group must meet requirements for Ohio works first established by rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements specified in division (C)(1) of this section, a member of an assistance group who is required by section 5116.10 of the Revised Code to participate in the comprehensive case management and employment program must participate in that program to be eligible to participate in Ohio works first.

(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(4) of this section, to determine whether an assistance group is initially eligible to participate in Ohio works first, a county department of job and family services shall do the following:

(a) Determine whether the assistance group's gross income exceeds fifty per cent of the federal poverty guidelines. In making this determination, the county department shall disregard amounts that federal statutes or regulations and sections 5101.17 and 5117.10 of the Revised Code require be disregarded. The assistance group is ineligible to participate in Ohio works first if the assistance group's gross income, less the amounts disregarded, exceeds fifty per cent of the federal poverty guidelines.

(b) If the assistance group's gross income, less the amounts disregarded pursuant to division (D)(1)(a) of this section, does not exceed fifty per cent of the federal poverty guidelines, determine whether the assistance group's countable income is less than the payment standard. The assistance group is ineligible to participate in Ohio works first if the assistance group's countable income equals or exceeds the payment standard.

(2) For the purpose of determining whether an assistance group meets the income requirement established by division (D)(1)(a) of this section, the annual revision that the United States department of health and human services makes to the federal poverty guidelines shall go into effect on the first day of July of the year for which the revision is made.

(3) To determine whether an assistance group participating in Ohio works first continues to be eligible to participate, a county department of job and family services shall determine whether the assistance group's countable income continues to be less than the payment standard. In making this determination, the county department shall disregard an amount specified in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code and fifty per cent of the remainder of the assistance group's gross earned income. No amounts shall be disregarded from the assistance group's gross unearned income. The assistance group ceases to be eligible to participate in Ohio works first if its countable income, less the amounts disregarded, equals or exceeds the payment standard.

(4) If an assistance group reapplies to participate in Ohio works first not more than four months after ceasing to participate, a county department of job and family services shall use the income requirement established by division (D)(3) of this section to determine eligibility for resumed participation rather than the income requirement established by division (D)(1) of this section.

(E)(1) An assistance group may continue to participate in Ohio works first even though a public children services agency removes the assistance group's minor children from the assistance group's home due to abuse, neglect, or dependency if the agency does both of the following:

(a) Notifies the county department of job and family services at the time the agency removes the children that it believes the children will be able to return to the assistance group within six months;

(b) Informs the county department at the end of each of the first five months after the agency removes the children that the parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative of the children is cooperating with the case plans prepared for the children under section 2151.412 of the Revised Code and that the agency is making reasonable efforts to return the children to the assistance group.

(2) An assistance group may continue to participate in Ohio works first pursuant to division (E)(1) of this section for not more than six payment months. This division does not affect the eligibility of an assistance group that includes a pregnant woman.

Last updated August 16, 2023 at 1:49 PM

Section 5107.11 | Minor child's assistance group.

• Effective: September 29, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 283 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) A specified relative of a minor child residing with the minor child is not required to be included in the minor child's assistance group. To the extent permitted by rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code governing assistance group composition requirements and except as provided in division (B) of this section, the specified relative may choose to be included in the minor child's assistance group.

(B) If a specified relative resides with the specified relative's own minor child and another minor child who is related to the specified relative in a manner that makes the specified relative a specified relative, the specified relative shall be, to the extent provided by rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code governing assistance group composition requirements, a member of the assistance group of the specified relative's own minor child but may not be a member of the other minor child's assistance group.

(C) A guardian or custodian may not be a member of the assistance group of the minor child for whom the guardian or custodian is guardian or custodian, unless the guardian or custodian is a specified relative of the minor child.

Section 5107.12 | Application for participation by assistance group.

• Effective: January 27, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 337 - 129th General Assembly

An assistance group seeking to participate in the Ohio works first program shall apply to a county department of job and family services using an application containing information the director of job and family services requires pursuant to rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code and any additional information the county department requires. If cash assistance under the program is to be paid by the director of budget and management through the medium of direct deposit as provided by section 329.03 of the Revised Code, the application shall be accompanied by information the director needs to make direct deposits.

When a county department receives an application for participation in Ohio works first, it shall promptly make an investigation and record of the circumstances of the applicant in order to ascertain the facts surrounding the application and to obtain such other information as may be required. Upon the completion of the investigation, the county department shall determine as soon as possible whether the applicant is eligible to participate, the amount of cash assistance the applicant should receive, and the approximate date when participation shall begin. The amount of cash assistance so determined shall be certified to the department of job and family services in such form as the department shall prescribe. Warrants, direct deposits, or debit cards shall be delivered or made payable in the manner the department may prescribe.

To the extent required by rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code, a participant of Ohio works first shall notify the county department immediately upon the receipt or possession of additional income not previously reported to the county department. Any failure to so notify a county department shall be regarded as prima-facie evidence of an intent to defraud.

Section 5107.121 | Information regarding eligibility redetermination.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

A county department of job and family services shall provide assistance groups applying for or undergoing a redetermination of eligibility for Ohio works first written and oral information about both of the following:

(A) The availability of counseling and supportive services pursuant to division (B) of section 5107.71 of the Revised Code for members of the assistance group who have been subjected to domestic violence;

(B) The availability of waivers under section 5107.714 of the Revised Code exempting members of the assistance group who have been subjected to domestic violence from a requirement of the Ohio works first program.

Section 5107.14 | Written self-sufficiency contracts.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) An assistance group is ineligible to participate in Ohio works first unless the following enter into a written self-sufficiency contract with the county department of job and family services:

(1) Each adult member of the assistance group;

(2) The assistance group's minor head of household.

(B) A self-sufficiency contract shall set forth the rights and responsibilities of the assistance group as applicants for and participants of Ohio works first. Each self-sufficiency contract shall include, based on appraisals conducted under section 5107.41 of the Revised Code and assessments conducted under section 5107.70 of the Revised Code, the following:

(1) The assistance group's plan, developed under section 5107.41 of the Revised Code, to achieve the goal of self sufficiency and personal responsibility through unsubsidized employment within the time limit for participating in Ohio works first established by section 5107.18 of the Revised Code;

(2) Work activities, developmental activities, and alternative work activities to which members of the assistance group are assigned under sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code;

(3) The responsibility of a caretaker member of the assistance group to cooperate in establishing a minor child's paternity and establishing, modifying, and enforcing a support order for the child in accordance with section 5107.22 of the Revised Code;

(4) Other responsibilities that members of the assistance group must satisfy to participate in Ohio works first and the consequences for failure or refusal to satisfy the responsibilities;

(5) An agreement that, except as otherwise provided in a waiver issued under section 5107.714 of the Revised Code, the assistance group will comply with the conditions of participating in Ohio works first established by this chapter and section 5101.83 of the Revised Code;

(6) Assistance and services the county department will provide to the assistance group;

(7) Assistance and services the child support enforcement agency and public children services agency will provide to the assistance group pursuant to a plan of cooperation entered into under section 307.983 of the Revised Code;

(8) Other provisions designed to assist the assistance group in achieving self sufficiency and personal responsibility;

(9) Procedures for assessing whether responsibilities are being satisfied and whether the contract should be amended;

(10) Procedures for amending the contract.

(C) No self-sufficiency contract shall include provisions regarding the LEAP program.

(D) The county department shall provide without charge a copy of the self-sufficiency contract to each assistance group member who signs it.

Section 5107.16 | Sanctioning assistance group for noncompliance with contract.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) If a member of an assistance group fails or refuses, without good cause, to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract entered into under section 5107.14 of the Revised Code, a county department of job and family services shall sanction the assistance group as follows:

(1) For a first failure or refusal, the county department shall deny or terminate the assistance group's eligibility to participate in Ohio works first for one payment month or until the failure or refusal ceases, whichever is longer;

(2) For a second failure or refusal, the county department shall deny or terminate the assistance group's eligibility to participate in Ohio works first for three payment months or until the failure or refusal ceases, whichever is longer;

(3) For a third or subsequent failure or refusal, the county department shall deny or terminate the assistance group's eligibility to participate in Ohio works first for six payment months or until the failure or refusal ceases, whichever is longer.

(B) The director of job and family services shall establish standards for the determination of good cause for failure or refusal to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

(C) An assistance group member who fails or refuses, without good cause, to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract must complete all compliance activities specified in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code in order for the failure or refusal to be considered to have ceased.

(D) After sanctioning an assistance group under division (A) of this section, a county department of job and family services shall continue to work with the assistance group.

(E) An adult eligible for medicaid who is sanctioned under division (A)(3) of this section for a failure or refusal, without good cause, to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract related to work responsibilities under sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code loses eligibility for medicaid unless the adult is otherwise eligible for medicaid pursuant to an eligibility category other than the category associated with Title IV-A.

An assistance group that would be participating in Ohio works first if not for a sanction under this section shall continue to be eligible for all of the following:

(1) Publicly funded child care in accordance with division (A)(3) of section 5104.30 of the Revised Code;

(2) Support services in accordance with section 5107.66 of the Revised Code;

(3) To the extent permitted by the "Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938," 52 Stat. 1060, 29 U.S.C. 201, as amended, to participate in work activities, developmental activities, and alternative work activities in accordance with sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.161 | Written notice prior to sanction.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

Before a county department of job and family services sanctions an assistance group under section 5107.16 of the Revised Code, the state department of job and family services shall provide the assistance group written notice of the sanction in accordance with rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code. The written notice shall include a provision printed in bold type face that informs the assistance group that, not later than fifteen calendar days after the state department mailed the written notice to the assistance group, the assistance group may request, for the purpose of explaining why the assistance group believes it should not be sanctioned, a state hearing under division (B) of section 5101.35 of the Revised Code which, at the assistance group's request, may be preceded by a county conference with the county department. The written notice shall include either the telephone number of an Ohio works first ombudsperson provided for under section 329.07 of the Revised Code or the toll-free telephone number of the state department of job and family services that the assistance group may call to obtain the telephone number of an Ohio works first ombudsperson.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 10:47 AM

Section 5107.162 | Request for state hearing on sanction.

• Effective: June 30, 2000
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 245 - 123rd General Assembly

If an assistance group requests a state hearing under division (B) of section 5101.35 of the Revised Code not later than fifteen calendar days after the department of job and family services mails the assistance group a written notice of a sanction under section 5107.161 of the Revised Code, a county department of job and family services shall postpone imposition of the sanction until the date a final decision is rendered in the state hearing, unless the assistance group withdraws the request for the state hearing because the assistance group is satisfied with the results of a county conference.

Section 5107.17 | Resuming participation following sanction.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

Both of the following must occur before an assistance group may resume participation in Ohio works first following a sanction under section 5107.16 of the Revised Code:

(A) The assistance group must reapply under section 5107.12 of the Revised Code if any of the following apply:

(1) It is the assistance group's regularly scheduled time for an eligibility redetermination;

(2) If the sanction was imposed under division (A)(1) of section 5107.16 of the Revised Code, the failure or refusal on which the sanction was based is not considered to have ceased until after one payment month immediately following the date the sanction began;

(3) If the sanction was imposed under division (A)(2) of section 5107.16 of the Revised Code, the failure or refusal on which the sanction was based is not considered to have ceased until after three payment months immediately following the date the sanction began;

(4) If the sanction was imposed under division (A)(3) of section 5107.16 of the Revised Code, the failure or refusal on which the sanction was based is not considered to have ceased until after six payment months immediately following the date the sanction began.

(B) The adult member of the assistance group or the assistance group's minor head of household whose failure or refusal, without good cause, to comply in full with a provision of a self-sufficiency contract caused the sanction must enter into a new, or amend an existing, self-sufficiency contract under section 5107.14 of the Revised Code, if required to do so by rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.18 | Eligibility time limits.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in divisions (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F) of this section, an assistance group is ineligible to participate in Ohio works first if the assistance group includes an individual who has participated in the program for thirty-six months as any of the following: an adult head of household, minor head of household, or spouse of an adult head of household or minor head of household. The time limit applies regardless of whether the thirty-six months are consecutive.

(B) An assistance group that has ceased to participate in Ohio works first pursuant to division (A) of this section for at least twenty-four months, whether consecutive or not, may reapply to participate in the program if good cause exists as determined by the county department of job and family services. Good cause may include losing employment, inability to find employment, divorce, domestic violence considerations, and unique personal circumstances. The assistance group must provide a county department of job and family services verification acceptable to the county department of whether any members of the assistance group had employment during the period the assistance group was not participating in Ohio works first and the amount and sources of the assistance group's income during that period. If a county department is satisfied that good cause exists for the assistance group to reapply to participate in Ohio works first, the assistance group may reapply. Except as provided in divisions (C), (D), and (F) of this section, the assistance group may not participate in Ohio works first for more than twenty-four additional months. The time limit applies regardless of whether the twenty-four months are consecutive.

(C) In determining the number of months a parent or pregnant woman has received assistance under Title IV-A, a county department of job and family services shall disregard any month during which the parent or pregnant woman was a minor child but was neither a minor head of household nor married to the head of an assistance group.

(D) In determining the number of months an adult has received assistance under Title IV-A, a county department of job and family services shall disregard any month during which the adult lived on an Indian reservation or in an Alaska native village, as those terms are used in 42 U.S.C.A. 608(a)(7)(D), if, during the month, at least one thousand individuals lived on the reservation or in the village and at least fifty per cent of the adults living on the reservation or in the village were unemployed.

(E) A county department of job and family services may exempt an Ohio works first assistance group from the time limit established by division (A) of this section by issuing a waiver of the time limit in accordance with section 5107.714 of the Revised Code. A county department may not exempt an assistance group until the group has exhausted its thirty-six months of cash assistance. An exemption granted under this division shall not count toward the twenty per cent limitation that applies to the exemptions granted under division (F) of this section.

(F) A county department of job and family services may exempt not more than twenty per cent of the average monthly number of Ohio works first assistance groups from the time limit established by this section on the grounds that the county department determines that the time limit is a hardship. In the case of the time limit established by division (A) of this section, a county department may not exempt an assistance group until the group has exhausted its thirty-six months of cash assistance.

(G) The department of job and family services shall continually monitor the percentage of the average monthly number of Ohio works first assistance groups in each county that is exempted under division (F) of this section from the time limit established by this section. On determining that the percentage in any county equals or exceeds eighteen per cent, the department shall immediately notify the county department of job and family services.

(H) Only participation in Ohio works first on or after October 1, 1997, applies to the time limit established by this section. The time limit applies regardless of the source of funding for the program. Assistance under Title IV-A provided by any state applies to the time limit. The time limit is a lifetime limit. No assistance group shall receive assistance under the program in violation of the time limit for assistance under Title IV-A established by section 408(a)(7) of the "Social Security Act," as amended by the "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996," 110 Stat. 2105, 42 U.S.C.A. 608 (a)(7).

Section 5107.20 | Assignment of rights to support.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

As used in this section, "support" means child support, spousal support, and support for a spouse or a former spouse.

Participation in Ohio works first constitutes an assignment to the department of job and family services of any rights members of an assistance group have to support from any other person. The rights to support assigned to the department pursuant to this section constitute an obligation of the person who is responsible for providing the support to the state for the amount of cash assistance provided to the assistance group.

The office of child support in the department of job and family services shall collect and distribute support payments owed to Ohio works first participants, whether assigned to the department or unassigned, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 654 B and 657 and regulations adopted under those statutes, state statutes, and rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

Upon implementation of centralized collection and disbursement under Chapter 3121. of the Revised Code, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 654 B and 657 and regulations adopted under those statutes, the department shall deposit support payments it receives pursuant to this section into the state treasury to the credit of the child support collections fund or the child support administrative fund, both of which are hereby created. Money credited to the funds shall be used to make cash assistance payments under Ohio works first.

Section 5107.22 | Cooperation in establishing paternity and obtaining child support.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

As used in this section, "caretaker" means the parent of a minor child or a relative acting in the parent's place.

Unless good cause for failure or refusal exists as determined pursuant to rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code, the caretaker of a minor child shall cooperate, if the caretaker is a member of the child's assistance group, in establishing the child's paternity and establishing, modifying, and enforcing a support order for the child. The child support enforcement agency with responsibility for administering the assistance group's paternity and support order requirements shall determine whether the caretaker is cooperating under this section. Cooperation includes providing sufficient information available to the caretaker to verify the identity of the minor child's father and establish, modify, and enforce a support order. With respect to charter counties only, cooperation also includes appearing at all proceedings to establish, modify, or enforce support for, and to establish paternity with respect to, the child.

A child support enforcement agency shall notify the county department of job and family services serving the county in which a caretaker resides if the agency determines that the caretaker has failed or refused to cooperate under this section without good cause and the caretaker is a member of an assistance group participating in Ohio works first.

Section 5107.24 | Eligibility of pregnant minor or minor parent.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Adult-supervised living arrangement" means a family setting approved, licensed, or certified by the department of job and family services, the department of mental health and addiction services, the department of developmental disabilities, the department of youth services, a public children services agency, a private child placing agency, or a private noncustodial agency that is maintained by a person age eighteen or older who assumes responsibility for the care and control of a minor parent, pregnant minor, or child of a minor parent or provides the minor parent, pregnant minor, or child of a minor parent supportive services, including counseling, guidance, and supervision. "Adult-supervised living arrangement" does not mean a public institution.

(2) "Child of a minor parent" means a child born to a minor parent, except that the child ceases to be considered a child of minor parent when the minor parent attains age eighteen.

(3) "Minor parent" means a parent who is under age eighteen and is not married.

(4) "Pregnant minor" means a pregnant person who is under age eighteen and not married.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section and to the extent permitted by Title IV-A and federal regulations adopted under Title IV-A, a pregnant minor, minor parent, or child of a minor parent must reside in a place of residence maintained by a parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative of the pregnant minor or minor parent as the parent's, guardian's, custodian's, or specified relative's own home to be eligible to participate in Ohio works first.

(2) To the extent permitted by Title IV-A and federal regulations adopted under it, a pregnant minor, minor parent, or child of a minor parent is exempt from the requirement of division (B)(1) of this section if any of the following apply:

(a) The minor parent or pregnant minor does not have a parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative living or whose whereabouts are known.

(b) No parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative of the minor parent or pregnant minor will allow the pregnant minor, minor parent, or minor parent's child to live in the parent's, guardian's, custodian's, or specified relative's home.

(c) The department of job and family services, a county department of job and family services, or a public children services agency determines that the physical or emotional health or safety of the pregnant minor, minor parent, or minor parent's child would be in jeopardy if the pregnant minor, minor parent, or minor parent's child lived in the same home as the parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative.

(d) The department of job and family services, a county department of job and family services, or a public children services agency otherwise determines that it is in the best interest of the pregnant minor, minor parent, or minor parent's child to waive the requirement of division (B)(1) of this section.

(C) A pregnant minor, minor parent, or child of a minor parent exempt from the requirement of division (B)(1) of this section must reside in an adult-supervised living arrangement to be eligible to participate in Ohio works first.

(D) The department of job and family services, whenever possible and to the extent permitted by Title IV-A and federal regulations adopted under it, shall provide cash assistance under Ohio works first to the parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative of a pregnant minor or minor parent on behalf of the pregnant minor, minor parent, or minor parent's child.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 10:17 AM

Section 5107.26 | Terminating employment without just cause.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "transitional child care" means publicly funded child care provided under division (A)(3) of section 5104.34 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section:

(1) Each member of an assistance group participating in Ohio works first is ineligible to participate in the program for six payment months if a county department of job and family services determines that a member of the assistance group terminated the member's employment.

(2) Each person who, on the day prior to the day a recipient begins to receive transitional child care, was a member of the recipient's assistance group is ineligible to participate in Ohio works first for six payment months if a county department determines that the recipient terminated the recipient's employment.

(C) No assistance group member shall lose or be denied eligibility to participate in Ohio works first pursuant to division (B) of this section if the termination of employment was because an assistance group member or recipient of transitional child care secured comparable or better employment or the county department of job and family services certifies that the member or recipient terminated the employment with just cause.

Just cause includes the following:

(1) Discrimination by an employer based on age, race, sex, color, disability, religious beliefs, or national origin;

(2) Work demands or conditions that render continued employment unreasonable, such as working without being paid on schedule;

(3) Employment that has become unsuitable due to any of the following:

(a) The wage is less than the federal minimum wage;

(b) The work is at a site subject to a strike or lockout, unless the strike has been enjoined under section 208 of the "Labor-Management Relations Act," 61 Stat. 155 (1947), 29 U.S.C.A. 178, as amended, an injunction has been issued under section 10 of the "Railway Labor Act," 44 Stat. 586 (1926), 45 U.S.C.A. 160, as amended, or an injunction has been issued under section 4117.16 of the Revised Code;

(c) The documented degree of risk to the member or recipient's health and safety is unreasonable;

(d) The member or recipient is physically or mentally unfit to perform the employment, as documented by medical evidence or by reliable information from other sources.

(4) Documented illness of the member or recipient or of another assistance group member of the member or recipient requiring the presence of the member or recipient;

(5) A documented household emergency;

(6) Lack of adequate child care for children of the member or recipient who are under six years of age.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 12:43 PM

Section 5107.28 | Learnfare program.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and in sections 5107.281 to 5107.287 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Cash assistance payment" means the monthly amount an assistance group is eligible to receive under Ohio works first.

(2) "Parent" means the parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative with charge or care of a learnfare participant.

(3) "Participating student" means a participant of Ohio works first who is subject to the school attendance requirement of the learnfare program as determined under section 5107.281 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of job and family services shall establish the learnfare program. The board of county commissioners of any county may choose to have the county participate in the learnfare program. The county department of job and family services of each participating county shall administer the program in accordance with sections 5107.28 to 5107.287 of the Revised Code and policies the county department establishes for the program.

(C) The program shall provide for reduction in the cash assistance payment to the assistance group of a participating student if the student fails to comply with the program's school attendance requirement two or more times during a school year.

(D) The program may provide for an incentive to encourage a parent or, if a participating student is eighteen or nineteen years of age, the student to consent to the release of the participating student's school attendance records and the participating student to comply with the program's school attendance requirement.

Section 5107.281 | Mandatory participation in learnfare program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

A participant of Ohio works first who is enrolled in a school district in a county that is participating in the learnfare program and is not younger than age six but not older than age nineteen shall participate in the learnfare program unless one of the following is the case:

(A) The participant is not yet eligible for enrollment in first grade;

(B) The participant is subject to the LEAP program;

(C) The participant has received one of the following:

(1) A high school diploma;

(2) A certificate stating that the participant has achieved the equivalent of a high school education as measured by scores obtained on a high school equivalency test approved by the department of education and workforce pursuant to division (B) of section 3301.80 of the Revised Code.

(D) The participant has been excused from school attendance pursuant to section 3321.04 or is exempt under section 3321.042 of the Revised Code;

(E) If child care services for a member of the participant's household are necessary for the participant to attend school, child care licensed or certified under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code or under sections 3301.52 to 3301.59 of the Revised Code and transportation to and from the child care are not available;

(F) The participant has been adjudicated a delinquent or unruly child pursuant to section 2151.28 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 19, 2023 at 11:26 AM

Section 5107.282 | Notice of noncompliance with learnfare program's school attendance requirement.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

The first time during a school year that a participating student fails to comply with the learnfare program's school attendance requirement, the county department of job and family services shall send the parent a notice warning that, if the student fails a second or subsequent time in the school year to comply with the school attendance requirement, the assistance group's cash assistance payment for the second month following report of the failure under section 5107.287 of the Revised Code will be reduced to the amount the assistance group would be eligible to receive if the student was not a member of the assistance group. The county department shall send the notice not later than the last day of the month that it is informed of the first failure to comply.

If a participating student fails two or more times in a school year to comply with the school attendance requirement, the county department shall reduce the assistance group's cash assistance payment for the second month following report of the failure. The county department shall reduce the cash assistance payment to the amount the assistance group would be eligible to receive if the participating student was not a member of the assistance group.

Section 5107.283 | Incentives for meeting learnfare school attendance requirement.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

The county department of job and family services may provide an incentive established by the county department to the participating student or student's assistance group, whichever is appropriate, if the parent or, if the student is eighteen or nineteen years of age, the student, consents to the release of the student's school attendance records and the student complies with the learnfare school attendance requirement. An incentive may be a cash bonus or other form of incentive. The county department shall not receive any additional state or federal funds to pay for incentives.

Section 5107.284 | Reducing assistance for refusal to consent to release of records.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

The county department of job and family services shall require the parent of each participating student, or, if the student is eighteen or nineteen years of age, the student to consent to release of the student's school attendance records. If the parent or participating student refuses to consent, the county department shall reduce the assistance group's cash assistance payment for the month immediately following the month of the refusal and each month thereafter until consent is given. The cash assistance payment shall be reduced to the amount the assistance group would be eligible to receive if neither the participating student nor the parent were members of the assistance group.

Section 5107.285 | Noncompliance with learnfare program's school attendance requirement not to affect other members of group.

• Effective: October 1, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 408 - 122nd General Assembly

Notwithstanding a reduction in a cash assistance payment under section 5107.282 or 5107.284 of the Revised Code, all members of the assistance group who are otherwise eligible to participate in Ohio works first shall continue to be considered participants of the program.

Section 5107.286 | Communications concerning participating student's attendance.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

Communications between the school district and the county department of job and family services concerning a participating student's attendance shall be made only through the attendance officers and assistants appointed under section 3321.14 or 3321.15 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.287 | Good cause for being absent from school.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

The county department of job and family services shall establish policies defining "good cause for being absent from school" and specifying what constitutes a day of attendance for purposes of the learnfare program's school attendance requirement.

Not later than the fifteenth day of each month of a school year or another time agreed to by the county department of job and family services and department of education and workforce but not later than the thirtieth day of each month, each attendance officer or assistant appointed under section 3321.14 or 3321.15 of the Revised Code who oversees the attendance of students enrolled in the school districts of a county that is participating in the learnfare program shall report to the county department of job and family services the previous month's school attendance record of each participating student. The report shall specify which if any of the participating student's absences are excused because the absence meets the definition of "good cause for being absent from school." No absence for which there is good cause shall be considered in determining whether a participating student has complied with the learnfare program's school attendance requirement.

Last updated September 19, 2023 at 11:29 AM

Section 5107.30 | Learning, earning, and parenting LEAP program.

• Effective: April 7, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 7 - 127th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Equivalent of a high school diploma" and "good cause" have the meanings established in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Participating teen" means an individual to whom all of the following apply:

(a) The individual is a participant of Ohio works first;

(b) The individual is under age eighteen or is age eighteen and in school and is a natural or adoptive parent or is pregnant;

(c) The individual is subject to the LEAP program's requirements.

(3) "School" means an educational program that is designed to lead to the attainment of a high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma.

(B) The director of job and family services may conduct a program titled the "LEAP program" in accordance with rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code. The purpose of the LEAP program is to encourage teens to complete school. The LEAP program shall provide information on adoption as an option for unintended pregnancies to participating teens.

Every participating teen shall attend school in accordance with the requirements governing the LEAP program unless the participating teen shows good cause for not attending school. The department shall provide, in addition to the cash assistance payment provided under Ohio works first, an incentive payment, in an amount determined by the department, to every participating teen who attends school in accordance with the requirements governing the LEAP program. In addition to the incentive payment, the department may provide other incentives to participating teens who attend school in accordance with the LEAP program's requirements. The department shall reduce the cash assistance payment, in an amount determined by the department, under Ohio works first to every participating teen who fails or refuses, without good cause, to meet the LEAP program's requirements.

Every participating teen shall enter into a written agreement with the county department of job and family services that specifies all of the following:

(1) The participating teen, to be eligible to receive the incentive payment and other incentives, if any, under this section, must meet the requirements of the LEAP program.

(2) The incentive payment and other incentives, if any, will be provided if the participating teen meets the requirements of the LEAP program.

(3) The participating teen's cash assistance payment under Ohio works first will be reduced if the participating teen fails or refuses without good cause to attend school in accordance with the requirements governing the LEAP program.

(C) A minor head of household's participation in the LEAP program shall be counted in determining whether a county department of job and family services meets the requirement of section 5107.44 of the Revised Code.

(D) Subject to the availability of funds, county departments of job and family services shall provide for participating teens to receive support services the county department determines to be necessary for LEAP participation. Support services may include publicly funded child care under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code, transportation, and other services.

Section 5107.301 | Award to LEAP program graduates for post-secondary education.

• Effective: January 1, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

For the purpose of encouraging individuals who have successfully completed the requirements of the LEAP program to enroll in post-secondary education, the director of job and family services may provide an award to such individuals who enroll in post-secondary education. If provided, the award shall be provided in accordance with rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.36 | Fugitive felons and probation or parole violators ineligible for participation.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

An individual is ineligible for assistance under Ohio works first if either of the following apply:

(A) The individual is a fugitive felon as defined in section 5101.26 of the Revised Code;

(B) The individual is violating a condition of probation, a community control sanction, parole, or a post-release control sanction imposed under federal or state law.

Last updated August 16, 2023 at 1:51 PM

Section 5107.37 | Ineligibility of residents of public institutions.

• Effective: September 26, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 95 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an individual who resides in a county home, city infirmary, jail, or other public institution is not eligible to participate in Ohio works first.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to a minor child residing with the minor child's mother who participates in a prison nursery program established under section 5120.65 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.40 | Ohio works first program additional definitions.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

As used in sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Alternative work activity" means an activity designed to promote self sufficiency and personal responsibility established by a county department of job and family services under section 5107.64 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Developmental activity" means an activity designed to promote self sufficiency and personal responsibility established by a county department of job and family services under section 5107.62 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Certificate of high school equivalence" means a certificate attesting to achievement of the equivalent of a high school education as measured by scores obtained on a high school equivalency test approved by the department of education and workforce pursuant to division (B) of section 3301.80 of the Revised Code. "Certificate of high school equivalence" includes a certificate of high school equivalence issued prior to January 1, 1994, attesting to the achievement of the equivalent of a high school education as measured by scores obtained on tests of general educational development.

(D) "Work activity" means the following:

(1) Unsubsidized employment activities established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code;

(2) The subsidized employment program established under section 5107.52 of the Revised Code;

(3) The work experience program established under section 5107.54 of the Revised Code;

(4) On-the-job training activities established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code;

(5) The job search and readiness program established under section 5107.50 of the Revised Code;

(6) Community service activities established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code;

(7) Vocational educational training activities established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code;

(8) Jobs skills training activities established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code that are directly related to employment;

(9) Education activities established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code that are directly related to employment for participants of Ohio works first who have not earned a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalence;

(10) Education activities established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code for participants of Ohio works first who have not completed secondary school or received a certificate of high school equivalence under which the participants attend a secondary school or a course of study leading to a certificate of high school equivalence;

(11) Child-care service activities, including training, established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code to aid another participant of Ohio works first assigned to a community service activity or other work activity;

(12) The education program established under section 5107.58 of the Revised Code that are operated pursuant to a federal waiver granted by the United States secretary of health and human services pursuant to a request made under former section 5101.09 of the Revised Code;

(13) To the extent provided by division (C) of section 5107.30 of the Revised Code, the LEAP program established under that section.

Last updated September 19, 2023 at 11:30 AM

Section 5107.41 | Appraisal of each member of assistance group who is minor head of household or adult.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

As soon as possible after an assistance group submits an application to participate in Ohio works first, the county department of job and family services that receives the application shall schedule and conduct an appraisal of each member of the assistance group who is a minor head of household or adult, other than a minor head of household participating in the LEAP program. The appraisal may include an evaluation of the employment, educational, physiological, and psychological abilities or liabilities, or both, of the minor head of household or adult. At the appraisal, the county department shall develop with the minor head of household or adult a plan for the assistance group to achieve the goal of self sufficiency and personal responsibility through unsubsidized employment within the time limit for participating in the Ohio works first program established by section 5107.18 of the Revised Code. The plan shall include assignments to one or more work activities, developmental activities, or alternative work activities in accordance with section 5107.42 of the Revised Code. The county department shall include the plan in the self-sufficiency contract entered into under section 5107.14 of the Revised Code.

The county department shall conduct more appraisals of the minor head of household or adult at times the county department determines.

If the minor head of household or adult claims to have a medically determinable physiological or psychological impairment, illness, or disability, the county department may require that the minor head of household or adult undergo an independent medical or psychological examination at a time and place reasonably convenient to the minor head of household or adult.

Section 5107.42 | Assignment to work activities and developmental activities.

• Effective: July 1, 2017
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 319 - 131st General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in divisions (B) and (C) of this section, county departments of job and family services shall assign each minor head of household and adult participating in Ohio works first, other than a minor head of household participating in the LEAP program, to one or more work activities and developmental activities.

If a county department assigns a minor head of household or adult to the work activity established under division (H) of section 5107.60 of the Revised Code, the county department shall make reasonable efforts to assign the minor head of household or adult to at least one other work activity at the same time. If a county department assigns a minor head of household or adult to the work activity established under section 5107.58 of the Revised Code, the county department shall assign the minor head of household or adult to at least one other work activity at the same time.

A county department may not assign a minor head of household or adult to a work activity established under division (D) of section 5107.60 of the Revised Code for more than twelve months.

(B) If a county department determines that a minor head of household or adult has a temporary or permanent barrier to participation in a work activity, it may assign the minor head of household or adult to one or more alternative work activities instead of assigning the minor head of household or adult to one or more work activities or developmental activities. A county department may not assign more than twenty per cent of minor heads of household and adults participating in Ohio works first to an alternative work activity.

County departments shall establish standards for determining whether a minor head of household or adult has a temporary or permanent barrier to participating in a work activity. The following are examples of circumstances that a county department may consider when it develops its standards:

(1) A minor head of household or adult provides the county department documented evidence that one or more members of the assistance group have been the victim of domestic violence and are in imminent danger of suffering continued domestic violence;

(2) A minor head of household or adult is actively participating in alcohol and drug addiction services certified by the department of mental health and addiction services under section 5119.36 of the Revised Code;

(3) An assistance group is homeless.

(C) A county department may exempt a minor head of household or adult who is unmarried and caring for a minor child under twelve months of age from the work requirements of sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code for not more than twelve months. While exempt, the minor head of household or adult shall be disregarded in determining whether the county department is meeting the requirement of section 5107.44 of the Revised Code. The county department shall assign the exempt minor head of household or adult to at least one developmental activity for a number of hours a week the county department determines. The county department may assign the exempt minor head of household or adult to one or more work activities, in addition to developmental activities, for a number of hours the county department determines. Division (B) of section 5107.43 of the Revised Code does not apply to the exempt minor head of household or adult.

(D) A county department may reassign a minor head of household or adult when the county department determines reassignment will aid the assistance group in achieving self sufficiency and personal responsibility and shall make reassignments when circumstances requiring reassignment occur, including when a temporary barrier to participating in a work activity is eliminated.

A county department shall include assignments in the self-sufficiency contract entered into under section 5107.14 of the Revised Code and shall amend the contract when a reassignment is made to include the reassignment in the contract.

Section 5107.43 | Placement in assigned activity.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) After a minor head of household or adult is assigned to a work activity, developmental activity, or alternative work activity under section 5107.42 of the Revised Code, a county department of job and family services shall place the minor head of household or adult in the assigned activity as soon as the activity becomes available.

(B)(1) Except as provided in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code, a minor head of household or adult placed in one or more work activities or developmental activities shall participate in the activities at least the following number of hours each week as determined by the county department:

(a) In the case of a minor head of household or adult in an assistance group that includes only one adult, thirty hours;

(b) In the case of adults in an assistance group that includes two adults, thirty-five hours between the two adults.

(2) Of the hours specified in division (B)(1) of this section, a minor head of household or adult shall participate in one or more work activities at least twenty hours a week. After the minor head of household or adult has participated in a work activity established under section 5107.58 of the Revised Code for one thousand forty hours, the minor head of household or adult may not participate in that work activity for more than five hours a week. The minor head of household or adult may participate in one or more developmental activities for up to ten hours a week, including a developmental activity that is identical to a work activity established under section 5107.58 of the Revised Code.

(3) If a minor head of household or adult and county department agree, the minor head of household or adult may volunteer to participate in work activities and developmental activities for more than the number of weekly hours the county department determines under division (B)(1) of this section.

(C) A minor head of household or adult placed in one or more alternative work activities shall participate in the activities a number of hours each week a county department determines.

Section 5107.44 | Exceeding federal minimum work activity participation rates.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

County departments of job and family services, on a statewide average basis, shall exceed the federal minimum work activity participation rates established by section 407(a) of Title IV-A, 42 U.S.C.A. 607(a), by not less than five percentage points.

Section 5107.50 | Job search and readiness program.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

There is hereby established, as a work activity under Ohio works first, the job search and readiness program under which applicants for and participants of Ohio works first are trained in strategies and skills in obtaining employment and engage in self-directed, job search activities. County departments of job and family services shall develop and administer the program and may utilize the services of private or government entities under contract with the county department or the department of job and family services in operating the program.

A county department may assign a minor head of household or adult applying for Ohio works first to the job search and readiness program before the applicant's eligibility for Ohio works first is determined.

An applicant or participant assigned to the job search and readiness program may not participate in the program for more than six weeks, unless the unemployment rate of the state is at least fifty per cent greater than the unemployment rate of the United States, in which case the applicant or participant may participate in the program not more than twelve weeks. An applicant or participant may not participate in the program more than four consecutive weeks. For one time only per applicant or participant, a county department shall consider the applicant or participant to have participated in the program one week after the applicant or participant participates for three or four, as specified by the county department, days during the week.

Section 5107.52 | Subsidized employment program.

• Effective: July 1, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 187 - 126th General Assembly

(A) There is hereby established, as a work activity under Ohio works first, the subsidized employment program, under which private and government employers receive payments from appropriations to the department of job and family services for a portion of the costs of salaries, wages, and benefits those employers pay to or on behalf of employees who are participants of the subsidized employment program at the time of employment.

(B) The director of job and family services may redetermine rates of payments to employers under this section annually.

(C) A state agency or political subdivision may create or fill vacant full-time and part-time positions, including classified and unclassified positions for those positions that are included in the civil service under Chapter 124. of the Revised Code, for or with participants of the subsidized employment program. The director shall specify in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code the maximum amount of time the department will subsidize the positions. After the subsidy expires, the agency or subdivision may hire the participant for an unclassified position or as an employee in the classified civil service. The director of administrative services may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing this division.

(D) Participants of the subsidized employment program for whom payments are made under this section:

(1) Shall be considered regular employees of the employer, entitled to the same employment benefits and opportunities for advancement and affiliation with employee organizations that are available to other regular employees of the employer, and the employer shall pay premiums to the bureau of workers' compensation on account of employees for whom payments are made;

(2) Shall be paid at the same rate as other employees doing similar work for the employer.

(E) An agreement for employment of a subsidized employment program participant by a private employer shall require that the participant be given preference for any unsubsidized full-time position with the employer that becomes available after the participant completes any probationary or training period specified in the agreement.

Section 5107.54 | Work experience program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) There is hereby established, as a work activity under Ohio works first, the work experience program. A participant of Ohio works first placed in the program shall receive work experience from private and government entities.

Participants of Ohio works first assigned to the work experience program are not employees of the department of job and family services or a county department of job and family services. The operation of the work experience program does not constitute the operation of an employment agency by the department of job and family services or a county department of job and family services.

(B) County departments of job and family services shall develop work projects to which participants of Ohio works first are assigned under the work experience program. Work projects may include assignments with private and government entities. Examples of work projects a county department may develop include unpaid internships, refurbishing publicly assisted housing, and having a participant volunteer to work at the head start agency in which the participant's minor child is enrolled. Each county department shall make a list of the work projects available to the public.

(C) Unless a county department of job and family services pays the premiums for the entity, a private or government entity with which a participant of Ohio works first is placed in and participates in the work experience program shall pay premiums to the bureau of workers' compensation on account of the participant.

Last updated August 16, 2023 at 1:52 PM

Section 5107.541 | Assignment under work experience program.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 442 - 133rd General Assembly

A county department of job and family services may contract with the chief administrator of a nonpublic school or with any school district board of education that has adopted a resolution under section 3319.089 of the Revised Code to provide for a participant of the work experience program who has a minor child enrolled in the nonpublic school or a public school in the district to be assigned under the work experience program to volunteer or work for compensation at the school in which the child is enrolled. Unless it is not possible or practical, a contract shall provide for a participant to volunteer or work at the school as a classroom aide. If that is impossible or impractical, the contract may provide for the participant to volunteer to work in another position at the school. A contract may provide for the nonpublic school or board of education to receive funding to pay for coordinating, training, and supervising participants volunteering or working in schools.

A participant volunteering or working as a classroom aide under this section shall not be considered an employee of a political subdivision for purposes of Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code and is not entitled to any immunity or defense available under that chapter, the common law of this state, or section 9.86 of the Revised Code.

An assignment under this section shall include attending academic home enrichment classes that provide instruction for parents in creating a home environment that prepares and enables children to learn at school.

Section 5107.58 | Education program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

In accordance with a federal waiver granted by the United States secretary of health and human services pursuant to a request made under former section 5101.09 of the Revised Code, county departments of job and family services may establish and administer as a work activity for minor heads of households and adults participating in Ohio works first an education program under which the participant is enrolled full-time in post-secondary education leading to vocation at a state institution of higher education, as defined in section 3345.031 of the Revised Code; a private nonprofit college or university that possesses a certificate of authorization issued pursuant to Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code, or is exempted by division (E) of section 1713.02 of the Revised Code from the requirement of a certificate; a school that holds a certificate of registration and program authorization issued by the state board of career colleges and schools under Chapter 3332. of the Revised Code; a private institution exempt from regulation under Chapter 3332. of the Revised Code as prescribed in section 3333.046 of the Revised Code; or a school that has entered into a contract with the county department of job and family services. The participant shall make reasonable efforts, as determined by the county department, to obtain a loan, scholarship, grant, or other assistance to pay for the tuition, including a federal Pell grant under 20 U.S.C.A. 1070a and an Ohio college opportunity grant under section 3333.122 of the Revised Code. If the participant has made reasonable efforts but is unable to obtain sufficient assistance to pay the tuition the program may pay the tuition. On or after October 1, 1998, the county department may enter into a loan agreement with the participant to pay the tuition. The total period for which tuition is paid and loans made shall not exceed two years. If the participant, pursuant to division (B)(3) of section 5107.43 of the Revised Code, volunteers to participate in the education program for more hours each week than the participant is assigned to the program, the program may pay or the county department may loan the cost of the tuition for the additional voluntary hours as well as the cost of the tuition for the assigned number of hours. The participant may receive, for not more than three years, support services, including publicly funded child care under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code and transportation, that the participant needs to participate in the program. To receive support services in the third year, the participant must be, as determined by the educational institution in which the participant is enrolled, in good standing with the institution.

A county department that provides loans under this section shall establish procedures governing loan application for and approval and administration of loans granted pursuant to this section.

Last updated August 16, 2023 at 1:55 PM

Section 5107.60 | Administering additional work activities.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

In accordance with Title IV-A, federal regulations, state law, the Title IV-A state plan prepared under section 5101.80 of the Revised Code, and amendments to the plan, county departments of job and family services shall establish and administer the following work activities, in addition to the work activities established under sections 5107.50, 5107.52, 5107.54, and 5107.58 of the Revised Code, for minor heads of households and adults participating in Ohio works first:

(A) Unsubsidized employment activities, including activities a county department determines are legitimate entrepreneurial activities;

(B) On-the-job training activities, including training to become an employee of a child care center or type A family child care home, administrator of a licensed type B family child care home, or in-home aide;

(C) Community service activities including a program under which a participant of Ohio works first who is the parent, guardian, custodian, or specified relative responsible for the care of a minor child enrolled in grade twelve or lower is involved in the minor child's education on a regular basis;

(D) Vocational educational training activities;

(E) Jobs skills training activities that are directly related to employment;

(F) Education activities that are directly related to employment for participants who have not earned a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalence;

(G) Education activities for participants who have not completed secondary school or received a certificate of high school equivalence under which the participants attend a secondary school or a course of study leading to a certificate of high school equivalence, including LEAP participation by a minor head of household;

(H) Child-care service activities aiding another participant assigned to a community service activity or other work activity. A county department may provide for a participant assigned to this work activity to receive training necessary to provide child-care services.

Last updated August 17, 2023 at 2:01 PM

Section 5107.61 | Serving as ombudsperson.

• Effective: September 29, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 283 - 123rd General Assembly

Service as an Ohio works first ombudsperson pursuant to section 329.07 of the Revised Code may be an assignment under the work experience program or a work activity established under section 5107.60 of the Revised Code to which a participant of Ohio works first is assigned under section 5107.42 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.62 | Developmental activities for minor heads of households and adults participating in Ohio works first.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

County departments of job and family services shall establish and administer developmental activities for minor heads of households and adults participating in Ohio works first. In establishing developmental activities, county departments are not limited by the restrictions that Title IV-A imposes on work activities. Developmental activities may be identical or similar to, or different from, work activities and alternative work activities.

In accordance with a federal waiver granted by the United States secretary of health and human services pursuant to a request made under former section 5101.09 of the Revised Code, a county department may establish and administer a developmental activity under which a minor head of household or adult attends a school, special education program, or adult high school continuation program that conforms to the minimum standards prescribed by the director of education and workforce or instructional courses designed to prepare the minor head of household or adult to earn a certificate of high school equivalence. Pursuant to the waiver, a minor head of household or adult assigned to this developmental activity is required to earn a high school diploma, adult education diploma, or certificate of high school equivalence not later than two years after the date the minor head of household or adult is placed in the activity.

Last updated September 19, 2023 at 11:31 AM

Section 5107.64 | Alternative work activities.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

County departments of job and family services shall establish and administer alternative work activities for minor heads of households and adults participating in Ohio works first. In establishing alternative work activities, county departments are not limited by the restrictions Title IV-A imposes on work activities. The following are examples of alternative work activities that a county department may establish:

(A) Parenting classes and life-skills training;

(B) Participation in addiction services provided by a community addiction services provider, as defined in section 5119.01 of the Revised Code;

(C) In the case of a homeless assistance group, finding a home;

(D) In the case of a minor head of household or adult with a disability, active work in an individual written rehabilitation plan with the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency;

(E) In the case of a minor head of household or adult who has been the victim of domestic violence, residing in a domestic violence shelter, receiving counseling or treatment related to the domestic violence, or participating in criminal justice activities against the domestic violence offender;

(F) An education program under which a participant who does not speak English attends English as a second language course.

Section 5107.65 | Works first participants not to displace employees.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) (1) No participant of Ohio works first shall be assigned to a work activity, developmental activity, or alternative work activity when the employer removes or discharges a person, for the purpose of substituting the participant in the person's place, in any of the following circumstances:

(a) The person is already employed as a regular full-time or part-time employee of the employer;

(b) The person has been employed full time or part time as a participant in a work activity, developmental activity, or alternative work activity;

(c) The person is or has been involved in a dispute between a labor organization and the employer;

(d) The person is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job.

(B) No employer shall hire a participant of Ohio works first part-time to circumvent hiring a full-time employee.

(C) County departments of job and family services shall establish and maintain a grievance procedure for resolving complaints by individuals or their representatives that the assignment of a participant of Ohio works first violates this section.

Section 5107.66 | Support services.

• Effective: May 18, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 11 - 125th General Assembly

Subject to the availability of funds and except as limited by section 5107.58 of the Revised Code, county departments of job and family services shall provide for participants of Ohio works first placed in a work activity, developmental activity, or alternative work activity to receive support services the county department determines to be necessary. County departments may provide for applicants of Ohio works first placed in the work activity established under section 5107.50 of the Revised Code to receive support services the county department determines to be necessary. Support services may include publicly funded child care under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code, transportation, and other services.

Section 5107.67 | Public employee and unemployment compensation laws do not apply.

• Effective: October 1, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 408 - 122nd General Assembly

Except for a participant of Ohio works first who is assigned to a work activity established under section 5107.52 or division (A) of section 5107.60 of the Revised Code, credit for work performed by a participant in a work activity, developmental activity, or alternative work activity does not constitute remuneration for the purpose of Chapter 124., 144., or 145. of the Revised Code and services performed by the participant do not constitute employment for the purpose of Chapter 4141. of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.68 | County to implement and enforce program.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The county directors of job and family services shall implement and enforce the requirements of sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code. State and local agencies shall cooperate with county departments of job and family services to the maximum extent possible in the implementation of those sections.

(B) In employing persons to administer and supervise work activities, developmental activities, and alternative work activities under Ohio works first, a county department of job and family services shall give first consideration to applicants for and participants of Ohio works first, provided such applicants and participants qualify for the administrative and supervisory positions to be filled. An applicant or participant shall be eligible for first consideration only within the county in which the applicant applies for or participant participates in Ohio works first.

(C) To the maximum extent practicable, necessary support services provided under section 5107.66 of the Revised Code shall be performed by participants of Ohio works first placed in a work activity, developmental activity, or alternative work activity.

Section 5107.69 | No jeopardy to federal funding.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

If the United States secretary of health and human services informs the department of job and family services that implementation of sections 5107.40 to 5107.69 of the Revised Code jeopardizes federal funding for the Ohio works first program, the department shall ensure that county departments of job and family services require minor heads of household and adults participating in Ohio works first to participate in work activities, developmental activities, and alternative work activities in a manner consistent with 42 U.S.C.A. 607.

Section 5107.70 | Conducting assessments of assistance groups.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

A county department of job and family services, at times it determines, may conduct assessments of assistance groups participating in Ohio works first to determine whether any members of the group are in need of other assistance or services provided by the county department or other private or government entities. Assessments may include the following:

(A) Whether any member of the assistance group has a substance abuse problem;

(B) Whether there are any other circumstances that may limit an assistance group member's employability.

The county department may refer an assistance group member to a private or government entity that provides assistance or services the county department determines the member needs. The entity may be a public children services agency, chapter of alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous, or cocaine anonymous, or any other entity the county department considers appropriate.

Section 5107.71 | County department duties under program rules.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

Each county department of job and family services shall do all of the following in accordance with rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code:

(A) Identify members of assistance groups applying for and participating in Ohio works first who have been subjected to domestic violence by utilizing the domestic violence screening process established in the rules;

(B) Refer a member who has been subjected to domestic violence to counseling and supportive services;

(C) Except as provided in section 5107.713 of the Revised Code, maintain the confidentiality of information about a member who has been subjected to domestic violence;

(D) Make a determination of whether a member who has been subjected to domestic violence should be issued a waiver under section 5107.714 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.711 | Domestic violence screening process.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

When utilizing the domestic violence screening process established in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code to identify members of assistance groups applying for and participating in Ohio works first who have been subjected to domestic violence, a county department of job and family services shall do both of the following:

(A) Where available, rely on records from any of the following:

(1) Police, courts, and other governmental entities;

(2) Shelters and legal, religious, medical, and other professionals from whom an assistance group member sought assistance in dealing with domestic violence;

(3) Other persons with knowledge of the domestic violence.

(B) Rely on an assistance group member's allegation of domestic violence unless the county department has an independent, reasonable basis to find the allegation not credible.

Section 5107.712 | Rejection of counseling or supportive services.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

A member of an assistance group applying for or participating in Ohio works first who is referred to counseling or supportive services pursuant to division (B) of section 5107.71 of the Revised Code may decline the counseling, supportive services, or both.

Section 5107.713 | Domestic violence information provided to department.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

When a county department of job and family services identifies a member of an assistance group applying for or participating in Ohio works first who has been subjected to domestic violence, the county department shall provide information about the member to the department of job and family services. The department shall maintain the information for federal reporting and statistical analysis purposes only.

Section 5107.714 | Waiver issued to domestic violence victim.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

A county department of job and family services shall issue a member of an assistance group participating in Ohio works first a waiver that exempts the member from a requirement of the Ohio works first program if the county department determines that the member has been subjected to domestic violence and requiring compliance with the requirement would make it more difficult for the member to escape domestic violence or unfairly penalize the member. A waiver shall specify the particular requirement being waived. A waiver may not exempt the member from the time limit on participating in the Ohio works first program established by division (B) of section 5107.18 of the Revised Code. A waiver shall be effective for a period of time the county department determines necessary. The county department shall redetermine the member's need for the waiver not less often than a period of time specified in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.715 | Explanation for refusal to issue waiver.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

A county department of job and family services that refuses to issue a waiver under section 5107.714 of the Revised Code for a member of an assistance group participating in Ohio works first shall provide the member a written explanation for the refusal. The written explanation shall be provided to the member in a manner protecting the member's confidentiality. The member may appeal the refusal pursuant to section 5101.35 of the Revised Code.

Section 5107.716 | Rejection or termination of waiver.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

A member of an assistance group participating in Ohio works first may decline a waiver that would otherwise be issued under section 5107.714 of the Revised Code and may terminate at any time a waiver that has been issued under that section.

Section 5107.717 | Department to monitor implementation of program.

• Effective: September 29, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

The department of job and family services shall monitor county departments of job and family services' implementation of sections 5107.71 to 5107.716 of the Revised Code to ensure that the county departments comply with those sections.

Section 5107.72 | Referrals for family planning.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

Each county department of job and family services shall refer a parent participating in Ohio works first whose minor child is a member of the parent's assistance group to any private or public agency, medical doctor, clinic, or other person or organization which can advise the parent on methods of controlling the size and spacing of the parent's family, consistent with the parent's religious and moral views. A county department shall document each referral it makes under this section.

Section 5107.75 | Cash assistance under Ohio works first is inalienable.

• Effective: October 1, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 408 - 122nd General Assembly

Cash assistance under Ohio works first is inalienable whether by way of assignment, charge, or otherwise and exempt from execution, attachment, garnishment, and other like process.

Section 5107.76 | Recovering erroneous payments.

• Effective: July 1, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 123rd General Assembly

As used in this section, "erroneous payments" means payments of cash assistance made under Ohio works first to assistance groups not eligible to receive the assistance, including assistance paid as a result of misrepresentation or fraud and assistance paid due to an error by a member of an assistance group or a county department of job and family services.

Except as provided in rules adopted under section 5107.05 of the Revised Code, each county department of job and family services shall take action to recover erroneous payments. Action may include reducing payments of cash assistance made under Ohio works first to assistance groups that receive erroneous payments or instituting a civil action. If a minor child was a member of an assistance group that received an erroneous payment but becomes a member of a new assistance group that does not include a minor head of household or adult who also was a member of the previous assistance group, a county department shall not take action against the new assistance group to recover the erroneous payment the previous assistance group received.

Each county department of job and family services shall retain fifty per cent of the nonfederal share of the erroneous payments it, prior to October 1, 1996, determines occurred under this section, regardless of when recovery is made. The department of job and family services shall receive the remaining fifty per cent of the nonfederal share of those payments. Each county department shall retain twenty-five per cent of erroneous payments it, on or after October 1, 1996, determines occurred and recovers and the department shall receive the remaining seventy-five per cent.

Section 5107.78 | Support enforcement tracking system notice.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

With each cash assistance payment provided under Ohio works first to an assistance group residing in a county in which the computer system known as support enforcement tracking system is in operation, the department of job and family services shall include a notice of the amount of support payments due a member of the assistance group that a child support enforcement agency collected and paid to the department pursuant to section 5107.20 of the Revised Code during the most recent month for which the department has this information.

Section 5107.80 | Quarterly report on employment of former participants.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

The director of job and family services, using information provided by employers under sections 3121.891 and 3121.892 of the Revised Code, shall determine quarterly whether individuals who have ceased to participate in Ohio works first have entered the workforce.