December 2013

In This Issue

Director's Letter: Medicaid Expansion Arrives in Ohio

Food Assistance Changes Effective Jan. 1 

Donate Gifts to Foster Children this Holiday Season

Twelve Children Have a Permanent Home

Top 5 Super Jobs

Adopt 12-year-old Thomas

Thomas has an adventurous spirit and likes to try new things. He is a very sweet, funny, and active young boy, who likes to change-up his activities. Thomas loves being outdoors, playing all types of sports, roller skating and riding his bike.  More...

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Beginning December 9, 2013, more low-income Ohioans can apply for Medicaid, with coverage starting on or after January 1.

Now, families can earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level and still be eligible for Medcaid. That is $2,245 (gross) a month for a single mother of two or $2,708 a month for a family of four.

Experts predict about 42,000 Hamilton County residents will be eligible. That is on top of our current caseload, which totals more than 175,000 county residents. That is approximately one out of every four people in this county!

We are gearing up for the extra work. Plans are under way to hire more caseworkers to answer phone calls and process cases. We will do our best to serve the public as quickly as possible. I know how important medical care is to a family.

Here are a few tips to help as we head down this road:

• The quickest and easiest way to apply for benefits is at www.benefits.ohio.gov. You’ll answer a series of questions and then be directed to apply under the current Medicaid rules, the new expanded rules or, if your income is too high for both, the Federally Facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace.
   
• If you are unable to complete an application online, you can print out an application from our website, www.hcjfs.org, or pick one up at our office.
   
• The best way to submit your application (if you don’t do it online) and send in your verification documents is to fax them to 513-946-1076. You can fax documents for free from any Hamilton County Public Library branch. You can also mail them, place them in the drop box in our first floor lobby or use our self-serve kiosk off the lobby.
   
• If you have further questions, visit www.healthcare.gov, www.benefits.ohio.gov or call us at 513-946-1000, Option 5.

I hope this helps. We anticipate being very busy over the next month and these tips may make it easier for all of us.