The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and six local county partners are embarking on a Benefit Bridge pilot program. The pilot will consist of a two-phased approach to implement and evaluate four initiatives to better engage, prepare, and support our most vulnerable Ohioans for long-term economic independence. Clients involved in the pilot will work with a collaborative team specifically trained to meet their needs to set them up for success, utilize a specialized tool to determine impacts of life changes or decisions, and have access to episodic support to encourage independence.

ODJFS will issue special allocation for this program with $16.5 million total funds each state fiscal year.  The program will consist of $14.15 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding and $2.35 million of Non-TANF state general revenue funding (GRF) to the six pilot county departments of job and family services (CDJFS). Each pilot county will be required to submit a plan to ODJFS for these funds.

The six CDJFS pilot agencies are: Allen, Fairfield, Hamilton, Licking, Meigs, and Stark.

The funding period for this allocation will be on a state fiscal year (SFY) basis for SFYs 2022 and 2023. ODJFS will communicate the funding period and liquidation period through the county finance information system (CFIS).

Methodology

• ODJFS will distribute funds as outlined in current Administrative Code Rule 5101:9-6-08.
• ODJFS will distribute three separate grants to the CDJFS agencies as follows:

o   Fifteen percent of the $14.15 million will be issued for TANF administration activities as described in current Administrative Code Rule 5101:9-6-08.8.

o   The remaining eighty five percent of TANF will be issued for allowable TANF program activities as described below.

o   $2.35 million GRF funding will be issued for non-TANF GRF activities

The TANF allocations consist of one hundred percent federal funding.  The Assistance Living Number (ALN), formerly Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is 93.558. 

The Non-TANF GRF allocations consist of one hundred percent state funding.

Costs Allowable for TANF Program Activities

TANF eligibility and allowability rules apply to each of the below categories.

• Transportation
• Housing
• Utilities
• Education
• Employment
• Education for Training and Employment
• Child Care
• Financial Incentives
• Third Party Services to Administer the Program
• Other

Costs Allowable for Non-TANF GRF Activities

• All the above categories that do not meet TANF allowability or eligibility requirements are allowable to Non-TANF GRF.
• Medical

Financial and random moment sample (RMS) codes and definitions will be communicated by the Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA).

County PRC Plans

The CDJFS is not required to modify their existing PRC plan to use these funds.

For funding details and questions regarding eligibility, allowable activities, and programmatic reporting requirements, please refer to Laura Holton or Margaret Walsh in the Office of Family Assistance.  For questions regarding fiscal reporting please contact your ODJFS Fiscal Supervisor or the CFIS Helpdesk CFIS_HELP_DESK@jfs.ohio.gov.