11:00:28 AM [Lisa] Healthy Start-I currently have coverage for my child on my insurance. My insurance just went up making my paycheck take a decrease. I was told she would be eligible for Healthy Start. Do I need to take her off of my insurance first? I just dont want a lapse for her. Also I received something in the mail that states effective July 2009 I can make up to 43,7710 (family of 2) and she will still be covered. The worker said she knows nothing of that. I just want to make sure I am making the right move in putting my child on medicaid.
10:48:54 AM [Jim Ashmore] There is always a risk in removing your child from existing coverage, without a guarantee of Healthy Start coverage. However, we cannot pursue coverage unless the child is without coverage. There are tentative plans to increase the income guidelines for children starting in July. We are just not certain of the details as of yet.

10:47:36 AM [Ms.Allen ] So if the guideline for a family of 5 is 2,687 what is it for 3?
10:48:54 AM [Jim Ashmore] It is currently $1,907. Remember, this changes on a regular basis. And a lot of other factors go in to determining eligibility. Please don't take this as a statement of eligibility. We have to evaluate all of the facts. This Web site can help you determine if you might be eligible: https://secure.thebenefitbank.com/ums?task=locator

10:46:08 AM [Kisha] What would be the income guidelines for a family of 3 for food stamps. I was over income for medical for myself, however I was recently hurt on the job and my hours have decreased, should I reapply?
10:46:53 AM [Jim Ashmore] Please reapply Monday-Friday before 12:30 p.m.

10:35:55 AM [Operator] Whats the income guideline for food stamps for a family of 5?
10:42:53 AM [Jim Ashmore] Gross income must be less than $2,687 per month. From there, we figure in household expenses to determine amounts.

10:31:50 AM [Ms.Allen ] Thank you so much the gentleman is trying his best to help me the best possible way over the phone!
10:39:17 AM [Jim Ashmore] You're welcome. Glad we could be of assistance.

10:37:41 AM [Visitor] IF I AM A CREGIVER CAN I CLAIM MY MOTHER ON MY TAXES IF SHE IS LIVING WITHME AND SHE IS GOING TO GE HELP FROM MEDICAID
10:38:26 AM [Jim Ashmore] You'll have to consult a tax advisor on that. That's beyond my level of expertise.

10:13:35 AM [Christy Harrison] Thank you. One other question: is it possible to get an updated list of eligibility guidelines for these three programs? I have some clients whose eligibility is questionable, and I like to help out as much as possible on the front end, before submitting an application for benefits.
10:35:36 AM [Jim Ashmore] That information changes on a somewhat-regular basis. As such, we've purposely avoided placing the information on our Web site. I can fax you a 1-page Chart of Allowances summary, if that would work. Feel free to give me your fax number.

10:13:16 AM [Visitor] When i read about this chat in the newspaper it mentioned that there was help for gas assistance. I work, but sometimes it is hard to even have money left over for gas after paying the bills, and also when i come to my face to face appointment for my foodstamps it makes it hard to budget as well because it live 25 miles north of downtown real close to butler county but still in hamilton county and the only office is downtown it would be nice if i knew a way to get assistance with gas.
10:32:34 AM [Jim Ashmore] There is no gas assistance, per-se. As to your face-to-face appointment, we can do those via phone call. Please request it the next time you are due in.

10:28:19 AM [Ms.Allen ] I'm on the telephone with one of your represenatives and he just explained to me that you all do not do Saturday appionments and that it's outdated? I also explained that I just recieved this information from you to call
10:29:19 AM [Jim Ashmore] Saturday appointments have ended. But we can accommodate phone interviews or after-hours requests.

10:21:38 AM [Visitor] I'm 41
10:23:24 AM [Visitor] Is there any other help I can get?
10:27:42 AM [Jim Ashmore] Food assistance (food stamps).

10:23:32 AM I am the Family Support Coordinator for the Blue Ash Educational Building. I there any new information I could receive that would be helpful for my parents or employees?
10:26:15 AM [Jim Ashmore] Please take a look around our Web site (www.hcjfs.org). Also, you could request a speaker by using the Contact Us button (Request a Speaker). Finally, we have a supply of brochures. Just give us your mailing address.

10:20:53 AM [Mellisa] My husband got a new job. He makes 10 dollars an hour I make 9. We have 3 kids. Do you know what we could still qualify for?
10:24:19 AM [Jim Ashmore] You might want to try the Benefit Bank Quick Check. Here's a link: https://secure.thebenefitbank.com/ums?task=locator

10:07:43 AM [Ms.Allen ] Ok, because I work M-F from 8:30-5:00 are there any Saturday appointments? Also, why do you all take child support in consideration when if someone looks in the system see's that there is an order, however I don't recieve the support?
10:22:57 AM [Jim Ashmore] We can offer an appointment to accommodate your work schedule. Please call 946-1287. They should be able to help with that. Just explain the situation. As for child support, unless the payment is actually being made, we shouldn't be taking that income into consideration.

10:04:30 AM [Visitor] I live by myself
10:05:28 AM [Visitor] Will i still be covered under medicaid program
10:10:15 AM [Visitor] What about cash assistance
10:21:03 AM [Jim Ashmore] You didn't state your age. But if you are under 65 years of age and not disabled, you would not qualify for cash or Medicaid.

10:16:29 AM [Visitor] how about medical and cash assistance
10:18:29 AM [Jim Ashmore] Unless she is disabled, she would not qualify. However, when the application for food assistance is looked at, we will pursue other programs.

9:59:56 AM [Tiffany Robinson-Jones] If it takes up to thirty days and I normally get my stamps on a certain day of the month, if that day comes before my reverification is done will I still receive them on that day since all the paperwork was in on time or I won't receive any until the application is reprocessed?
10:17:15 AM [Jim Ashmore] If the recertification period expires before we have authorized the case, it could delay your benefits. However, once again, we will attempt to have the benefits authorized prior to your food stamp date.

10:05:17 AM [Visitor] my grandmother is 60 yrs old work at twice a week nine hours every two weeks only makes 62 dollars every two weeks she has nothing else coming in what services are offered for her? she lives with my sister her granddaughter
10:15:43 AM [Jim Ashmore] It sounds like she would qualify for food assistance (food stamps). She should consider applying.

10:08:57 AM [Visitor] Is there anyway she could be eligible for medical help? Like I said she does get the SLMB or what not, but has no actual medical insurance. She wasn't eligible for medicare last year because my great grandfather always paid the taxes on the house, now she has to cover taxes and insurance since he passed away.
10:14:04 AM [Jim Ashmore] Just to clarify, since this is a common question. SLMB is a program which helps with the Medicare cost. The individual you mention would be receiving Medicare.

10:09:35 AM [Christy Harrison] I work with various people who receive Medicaid and food stamp assistance. In terms of submitting income or other changes on their behalf, is doing so online the best method?
10:11:59 AM [Jim Ashmore] We offer various options. Whatever works best for you. You can use the Report a Change form in the Online Service Center on www.hcjfs.org if you prefer to do business online.

10:05:27 AM [Visitor] My great grandmother is going to be 81 next month and lives on an income of $957 a month social security, had no medical insurance, the only additional help she gets is SLMB, if I apply for her to get food stamps/medical assistance will that effect the help she already gets in any way? I dont want to mess up her current help which isnt much, but I know she is struggling, she has house taxes/insurance, medical bills, prescriptions, utilities, all leaving her with about 200 a month for food if she's lucky.
10:06:44 AM [Jim Ashmore] Applying for food stamps is the way to go. It will not negatively impact her social security income.

10:00:44 AM [Ms.Allen ] I turned in an application last week to see if I can recieve food stamps how long does it take to recieve an appoinment?
10:05:38 AM [Jim Ashmore] You can come in any day, before 12:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, to 222 E. Central Parkway and we will attempt to interview you the same day.

10:00:46 AM [Visitor] I got let go from my job 4 months ago and I have no income. I was wondering if I could be eligible for cash assistance and if I could get help paying my cobra insurance
10:03:28 AM [Jim Ashmore] So sorry to hear about your job loss. If you have minor children in the home, you may be eligible for cash assistance (Ohio Works First). We don't actually help with the COBRA payment, but we may be able to cover you and/or your children through one of our Medicaid programs. Please consider applying at your earliest convenience.

9:54:18 AM [Visitor] A Healthy Start application seems to be a fairly easy/quick process. I submitted mine on the 16th of this month with all proper documentation. I faxed and mailed it. I called and the Worker said it was sent to closed files and she doesn't know why. The she said she didnt get it. Then she said she did. This is the reason why people ask for state hearings because paperwork gets lost and workers are overwhelmed. So besides asking for a hearing to get an answer....do you have any suggestions?9:53:24 AM [Mellisa] What is the income guidelines for medicaid for a family of 5?
9:58:32 AM [Jim Ashmore] First, let me apologize for the confusion regarding your case. It sounds like we do have the application, and as a general rule, we attempt to get them authorized within 30 days of the date we receive them... provided all verifications have been submitted.

9:58:32 AM [Jim Ashmore] I'm assuming you are talking about the Healthy Start coverage for children. If so, the monthly gross income must be $4,299 or less.

9:49:49 AM [Visitor] my grandmother is 60 yrs old work at twice a week nine hours every two weeks only makes 62 dollars every two weeks she has nothing else coming in what services are offered for her?
9:51:39 AM [Visitor] she lives with my sister her granddaughter
Answer coming soon

9:39:49 AM [Tiffany Robinson-Jones] I faxed my papers for reverification on stamps and medicaid and I was just wondering about how long it takes before it is reprocessed? The letter I received said my stamps will stop as of 3/31/09 so I just wanted to know if it will be processed before then?
9:57:25 AM [Jim Ashmore] We're attempting to get the cases authorized within 10 days. However, it could take up to 30.


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