Ottawa County Job and Family Services is temporarily closing its lobby and the Ohio Means Job Center to the public. During the coronavirus pandemic, it will continue to provide services by phone and internet. The OCJFS is not closing, but will providing services without walk in visitors, and appointments can be scheduled.

The agency will continue to ensure the safety of children by investigating complaints, completing visits and providing supports and referral to families. Documents for all programs can be placed in the agency drop box in front of the main entrance or email them to info@ottawacountyjfs.org. When emailing documents provide a case number, name and phone number. Do not leave cash or checks in the drop box.

For public assistance programs such as SNAP benefits, cash assistance and Medicaid programs, use www.benefits.ohio.gov to apply, renew or report changes to an existing case. For Medicaid only, a call center is available at 844-640-6446.

The Child Support web portal gives customers access to view and print case and payment information and report changes. The portal is available at: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocs/custservwebportalwelcome2.stm.

Administrative hearings are being conducted by telephone and genetic testing for paternity establishment is on hold until April 1. If there are court hearings associated with a child support case, parties should contact the court directly to determine their status.

The agency is not processing cash payments on a child support order. Credit care payments can be made at http://oh.smartchildsupport.com, e-wallet accounts can use Alipay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Paypal and WeChatPay. Telephone payments are accepted at 419-898-3688 or 1-888-965-2676. Online payments from checking or savings accounts can be made at www.expertpay.com.

Payments can be mailed in the form of a personal check, money order or cashier’s check, made out to: Ohio Child Support Payment Central (OhioCSPC) to Ohio CSPC, P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2372. Payments should include payor name, payor SETS case number, court order number and the amount to be applied to each case if payment is for more than one child support case.

Suspected child or elder abuse can still be reported at 419-707-8639 during normal business hours (Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office after hours, who will contact an on call caseworker (419-734-4404). All review hearings are being conducted by telephone until further notice.

Services through the OhioMeansJobs Ottawa County also have online options with job searches available through: www.ohiomeansjobs.com; resume creation at www.ohiomeansjobs.com/ottawa; and unemployment information at www.unemployment.ohio.gov or call toll-free at 1-877-644-6562. Specific questions can be answered by contacting the OMJ staff at (419) 707-8605 or (419) 707-8635 or ASKOMJ@ocic.biz.