Sobecki and Russo ask Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for system modifications during COVID-19 pandemic
COLUMBUS – State Reps. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today sent a letter to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Kimberly Hall highlighting additional measures the agency could take to limit COVID-19 exposure and help individuals file for unemployment.
“The suggested steps we outlined for Director Hall would help alleviate the increased volume of individuals filing for benefits and unemployment. They will also reduce in-person interactions and flatten the curve to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Sobecki.
“The impact of COVID-19 to the economy is resulting in an unprecedented need for many of Ohio’s most vulnerable children and families,” said Russo. “By instituting these measures, we will significantly reduce the administrative burden on our county-level Job and Family Service offices so that they can respond to other pressing needs, and also reduce the risk of virus exposure and spread.”
In the letter, Sobecki and Russo asked that Director Hall:
- Request a three month extension of the SNAP Federal Waiver to align with guidance issued by the Director of Medicaid;
- Ask for the Random Moment Sampling (RMS) to be suspended and instead use the last full quarter RMS, 4th Quarter 2019, to determine federal reimbursement
- Remove the pin requirement for individuals filling for unemployment through the website;
- Implement a similar call-back feature to the County Shared Service, currently used by County JFS offices, for those filing for unemployment by calling the phone number.