In accordance with section 106.03 of the Ohio Revised Code
(ORC), each state agency is required to review each of its rules in the Ohio
Administrative Code a minimum of once every five years. The intent of the review is to ensure that
Administrative Code rules are clearly written and that program requirements are
accurate, up-to-date and clearly expressed.
To the extent possible, unnecessary paperwork will be eliminated, local
agencies will be given increased flexibility, and any adverse impact on
businesses will be eliminated or reduced.
As a result of the review, the agency may amend the rule; rescind the
rule; or continue the rule without amendment.
The rule has been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on
Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The rule
will become effective on 11/01/2022.
Chapter 1000
5101:1-2-01 " The Application Process for
Ohio Works First, and Refugee Cash Assistance."
This rule describes the procedures for county agencies to follow
regarding Ohio Works First, and Refugee Cash Assistance. OFA has rescinded and
replaced this rule as a new rule as more than 50 percent of the language has
been stricken. The rule has been reorganized to improve clarity. Changes to the
rule include:
- Paragraph (A) was updated to described how an
individual applies for Ohio works first (OWF) or refugee cash assistance (RCA)
benefits. Added to this paragraph are what forms will be provided, a
description of a complete application as well as the minimum requirements for a
telephonic application. Previously this
paragraph described “application processing definitions” which was stricken
from this rule;
- Paragraph (B) was modified to described when an
application packet is provided, which was previously contained in former
paragraph (D). Former (B)(1) was
stricken as the format of the current rule establishes the application process
for OWF and RCA programs. Previous (B)(2) was moved to new paragraph (E)(5). Former
(B)(3) and (B)(4) were stricken from rule. Previous (B)(5) regarding a county’s
administrative duties was moved under (E)(4). Former (B)(6) was moved to
paragraph (O). These changes to
paragraph (B) were done to improve clarity;
- Paragraph (C) was updated to describe the
methods for filing an application. (C)(1)(a) through (C)(1)(f) were added to
describe the methods by which an assistance group can submit an application to
a county agency; these methods were added to align with the supplemental assistance
nutrition program (SNAP). Former paragraph (C) regarding what is included in an
application packet was moved under new paragraph (A) to improve clarity;
- Paragraph (D) was updated and describes who can
sign the application and types of valid signatures. New language under
(D)(3)(c) was added regarding telephonic signatures. This paragraph was moved from the previous
paragraph (E);
- Paragraph (E) now describes the other
responsibilities that both the county agency and assistance group must meet
during the application process.
Paragraph (E)(5) was moved from former paragraph (B)(2) to improve
clarity and flow of the rule;
- Paragraph (F) was moved from former paragraph
(H) and describes the application date and how an application is registered;
- Paragraph (G) was moved from former paragraph
(I) and describes what role the county has in completing the application
process;
- Paragraph (H) now describes the interview
requirements, which was previously contained in paragraph (J). (H)(3) was added in order to align with the
SNAP requirement to provide a summary when an application is signed
telephonically;
- Paragraph (I) describes how the interview can be
conducted. This was moved from former paragraph (K) to improve clarity and flow
of the rule;
- Paragraph (J) now describes county agencies
interview responsibilities, which was previously contained in paragraph (L);
- Paragraph (K) now describes what is covered in
the application interview, which was formally contained in paragraph (O). Paragraph (K)(15) regarding the requirement
for the county agency to offer assistance in obtaining verifications was moved
from paragraph (P) to improve clarity;
- Paragraph (L) now describes the time frame to
determine eligibility. The determination
of eligibility time frame was previously contained under paragraph (M);
- Paragraph (M) now describes the requirements for
authorized representatives. The
definition of “authorized representative” was moved here from the previous
paragraph (A);
- Paragraph (N) was replaced with what is
considered a failure in the application process. The contents of the previous paragraph (N)
regarding the interview requirements were moved to new paragraph (H);
- New paragraph (O) now describes what the
difference between a request for public assistance and a request for
information. This information was formally contained under (B)(6) but was moved
to (O) to improve clarity and flow of the rule;
- Paragraph (Q) was stricken and moved to
paragraph (N); and
- Minor language changes to improve clarity.