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Ohio Works First (OWF)

TANF provides families with financial assistance and support services.

1-866-635-3748

Find your Local Ohio Works First Office

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Benefit Categories >

Financial Assistance

undefined Ohio Works First (OWF)?

Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of Ohio's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. OWF was established to provide time-limited assistance to eligible families. OWF provides cash benefits to eligible, needy families for up to 36 months. After 36 months, a family cannot receive additional cash assistance unless the County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) approves an extension of benefits. There are two kinds of extensions, hardship; and good cause. A family can receive a hardship extension any time after the 36-month time limit has ended. A family can only receive a good cause extension after a 24-month waiting period following the 36-month limit. Each CDJFS sets its own policies for hardship and good cause extensions. The emphasis of OWF is self-sufficiency, personal responsibility and employment.

undefined Ohio Works First (OWF)?

To be eligible for Ohio Works First, you must be a resident of Ohio, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be one of the following: