Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services

If youve ever dealt with another state that has serious staffing issues Columbus OHIO is great. At least I can speak to some who isnt automated.
Apr 10th, 2024

My interview date was two weeks ago. I've called every single day and opted to them calling me back and they NEVER DO! So I started staying on the phone... They have hung up on me three different times now! Going to the office today. I'm not calling again. I'll do this n person!
Apr 7th, 2024

Taking the steps to ask the government for assistance in feeding your family is hard enough as it is, but when the system is apparently in shambles, it creates a lot of angry, emotional parents who dont know what to do or where to turn this department needs deconstructed and rebuilt.
Apr 4th, 2024

Been trying to call for a week no on answers the phones I be on hold for two to three hrs they pick up the phones and hung up on you then blame you for missing ur appointment they are horrible up there absolutely horrible
Apr 2nd, 2024

My food stamps were cancelled with no reason given beginning of January when I wasn't meant to be re-certified for another three months. I finally got through to someone the final week of January after several weeks of calling, being put on call-back lists, and being on hold for hours on end. I was told I needed to re-certify with no reason given. I submitted the required information and was given emergency funds starting February. I was given verbal confirmation that they received everything they needed. 10 days later they stated my documents weren't processed (even though they were all submitted weeks before) and cancelled EBT, end of February. I spent the entirety of March attempting to get through, submitting more documents that they never told me they needed originally, calling to find out that they never processed, getting hung up on, being told they cannot locate the documents I submitted (and spending literally hours helping the person on the phone locate the documents through the portal), losing connection, being put on callback lists, etc. I have spent a total of at least 20hrs a week on the phone with ODJFS since January and contacting people to try to get food. That's a part time job with nothing but frustration and an empty stomach to show for it. I'm terrified that they'll do the same to my Medicaid (disabled) and then I'll just die because without my medications I will die. I don't have anything left to sell. For an example of what I've been dealing with, they're now asking for my brother's FAFSA college information for this year. He did not fill out a 2024 FAFSA. He is not going to college. We confirmed with FSA that someone hasn't tried to enroll him. I only found this out because I was messaged at midnight last night they need it by tomorrow, April 9th. Another example is that my EBT states it's simultaneously pending, active, and cancelled in my online casefile. I wish I was kidding. My family and I have been surviving off of the kindness of strangers. Without them we would've starved by now. Pantries only have so much to go around - we only usually get 4 boxes of mac and cheese and 4 cans of vegetables for a month because we can't make the weekly trips for fresh produce (gas is too expensive). At this point it feels deliberate. I'm looking for legal help now. What are you supposed to do if your government fails to give you help?
Apr 8th, 2024