Refugees are individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their own country due to fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Refugee Medical Assistance
Refugees not eligible for Medicaid may be eligible for Refugee Medical Assistance for the first 8 months in the United States.

Refugee Cash Assistance -
Refugees not eligible for Ohio Works First cash assistance may be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance for the first 8 months in the United States.

How to Apply      
Step 1: Submit an application
You can submit your application in the following ways: Online for cash & food at:  www.benefits.ohio.gov
Online for medical benefits if you are over age 65 or have Medicare at:  www.benefits.ohio.gov
Online for Medicaid through the self service portal:  www.benefits.ohio.gov
By phone by calling:

937-498-4981, option 3

or by calling: 1-844-640-6446 to complete the application process Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
 

After completing a paper application, you may return the application:

by fax to : 937-498-7396

by mail to:

Shelby County Job & Family Services
227 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH  45365

or by email to:

FMS-Staff@jfs.ohio.gov

or in person, or by using the drop box outside the front door of the agency.

Step 2: Gather Verification Documents
As part of the application, you will need to submit a number of verification documents.  The specific documents are listed in the application, but in general we will need to verify:

• Who is in the household
• All household income,  and

Step 3: The Interview
Once you have submitted your application for cash or food assistance, you will be contacted by a caseworker to complete your interview by telephone.
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Step 4: Return any Additional Verifications
At the end of your interview, the eligibility worker will send you a checklist of any additional verification documents we need to complete your case. You may fax verifications to:

937-498-7396

email to:

FMS-Staff@jfs.ohio.gov

or mail to:

Shelby  County Job & Family Services
227 South Ohio Avenue
Sidney, OH  45365

or, in person, or by using the drop box outside the front door of the agency.

For more information on other services available to Refugees, contact:

614-466-4815

or email refugee@jfs.ohio.gov