Deadlines extended for public assistance

The state has extended some deadlines due to the high number of people applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance and Medicaid renewals.

If you were asked to recertify SNAP or cash assistance information with an appointment in April or May, your benefits will automatically be extended for six months and there is no need to contact Montgomery County Job and Family Servies. Also, if your benefits expired March 31, because you didn’t complete your recertification appointment, your benefits will be reopened for six months. If your certification process was completed in March or earlier, benefits, if approved, are extended for a year as usual.

If you were supposed to provide interim report information in April or May, the due dates will be extended to after May and you will receive notification on the new timing for the interim report.

For Medicaid recipients attempting to renew Medicaid through the County Shared Services line or the Medicaid Hotline, you will get a message that renewals are not being processed and Medicaid coverage will not be lost because you were unable to complete the process.

Despite the extensions, customers are still required to report household changes. Failure to report changes could result in an overpayment that would have to be repaid. Examples of things to report include:

■ Addition of newborns, other household members ■ Job loss

■ Decreased or increased wages

■ Changes of address and telephone numbers

Report changes online at ssp.benefits.ohio.gov, on the Change Report Line at 937-496-7717, or by email at mcdjfs@jfs.ohio.gov.

CHRIS STEWART, STAFF WRITER