ODJFS Director Barbara Riley today announced that assistance is available through county departments of job and family services for victims of Hurricane Katrina who evacuate to Ohio.

"Victims of this tragedy will spread across the nation as they rely on family and friends for help and we are already hearing from counties about people coming to Ohio," Riley said. "Ohio's county departments of job and family services stand ready to assist victims of the hurricane where they can."

ODJFS has issued a memo to counties detailing the types of assistance that may be available to hurricane victims who evacuate to Ohio including expedited processing of food stamp applications and assistance through the Prevention, Retention and Contingency program.

Counties may certify the eligibility of hurricane evacuees for the food stamp program under expedited rules allowing families to receive assistance more quickly. Applications from evacuees will be treated as a priority and the federal government will hold the state harmless from quality control error determinations in such cases. Counties also will be able to assist in securing replacement food stamp benefit cards for evacuees who are already enrolled in the food stamp program but lost or left behind cards during the evacuation.

County departments of job and family services may also provide benefits and services to families through the Prevention, Retention and Contingency program. Examples of assistance through this program include help with temporary shelter, clothing and other short-term needs. Families seeking assistance must include a pregnant woman or minor child living with a parent, legal guardian, legal custodian or specified relative and have evidence of economic need. Counties determine the maximum income level at which families can be eligible and the amount of funding available per family.

Counties may also determine eligibility for the Ohio Works First cash assistance program, although to be eligible families must declare the intention of establishing permanent residence in Ohio.

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