If you are receiving public assistance benefits in Guernsey County you must work to earn those benefits. Work activities and participation assignments for public assistance recipients are administered by the Work Activities Unit of Guernsey County Job & Family Services, also known as OhioMeansJobs - Guernsey County. Depending on the type of benefits you are applying for and your individual circumstances, you may be required to cooperate with OhioMeansJobs - Guernsey County by participating in various activities, up to 40 hours per week. These activities are designed to help you become self-sufficient.

Allowable activities include:

• Job Search/Job Readiness classes
• Unpaid Work Experience
• Job Skills Training
• Vocational Training
• GED classes
• College

The goal of Guernsey County Job & Family Services is to assist families and individuals temporarily during times of crisis and help them regain self-reliance and independence through meaningful work and training experiences.

When applying for OWF (cash assistance) and/or Food Assistance, your Job & Family Services intake worker will talk to you about any requirements you may have to participate.

OWF applicants will be required to sign a Self-Sufficiency Agreement at application and begin participating right away in a Job Search class, even before benefits are approved. Applicants who fail to follow the terms of their Self-Sufficiency Agreement will not be approved and will have a 3-tier sanction applied to their case. If the OWF cash assistance is approved, additional activities for self-sufficiency will be assigned. Recipients who fail to continue to follow the terms of their Self-Sufficiency Agreement will have a 3-tier sanction applied to their case.

Food Assistance recipients who are required for Work Activities will meet with OhioMeansJobs - Guernsey County Staff for an assessment interview at which time an Employability Plan will be developed. Required Food Assistance Recipients will then be assigned to an allowable activity based on this plan. Failure to participate as detailed on the Employability Plan will result in a 3-tier sanction being applied to benefits.

Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDS) - Food Assistance recipients who are not disabled and do not have a minor child on their case are subject to the ABAWDS laws. These are special requirements for participation. Someone who has been determined to be an ABAWDS cannot receive more than 3 months of Food Assistance out of a 36 month time period without either working or participating at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month. There are some exemptions to the ABAWDS rules, however regular Food Assistance rules may still apply. Staff will review each individual's situation to determine which set of rules should be applied.