Ohio was one of the 26 states that offered General Assistance programs for people with low-incomes, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. However, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced earlier this month that the Disability Financial Assistance Program (DFA) will end on December 31, 2017. The DFA provided up to $115 a month in cash assistance for those who met the income-based and medical requirements.
Who uses DFA?
To qualify for DFA, people had to meet the same medical requirements the Social Security Administration requires. DFA paid for a one-time medical consultation to see if they qualified.
In addition, individuals must:
- Be disabled, with a physical or mental health problem. This issue must prevent them from working.
- Go 9 months without being able to work. Or they have a serious condition that could cause death and they cannot wait 9 months.
- Have $1,000 or less in resources.
- Be an Ohio resident.
- Not receive Supplement Social Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, or Ohio Works First assistance.
Additionally, some people benefitted from the DFA program while they waited for income from other sources, including Social Security. Disabled and low-income persons received DFA and relied on cash assistance. As a result of the program ending, those individuals will lose that assistance each month.
What does this mean for current DFA recipients?
The Clark County Department of Job & Family Services released the following statement about the program ending: The Disability Financial Assistance Program (DFA) is a state and county-funded program, which provides cash assistance to persons who meet DFA program requirements and who are ineligible for any financial assistance program supported in whole or in part by federal funds (e.g., Ohio Works First (OWF), Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)). In accordance with Section 812.40 of the Ohio Revised Code, the DFA program is being repealed; State funding will no longer be available and the program will end effective December 31, 2017. As of July 1, 2017, any new applications or reapplications for DFA will be denied. Current recipients of the Disability Financial Assistance Program will be phased out between now and December 31, 2017. Recipients will receive a letter notifying them of the termination of the program.
Call Liner Legal for Assistance
The attorneys at Liner Legal have years of experience providing effective and dedicated legal services to disabled persons. If you are applying for Social Security benefits, it is important to pick an attorney who gives you the best chance of receiving what you are entitled to. For a free consultation on your case, call us at 216-282-177.
