Stark County Job and Family Services (SCJFS) is the county agency that helps residents apply for and receive basic safety-net benefits: SNAP food assistance, Medicaid healthcare coverage, Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance, child care vouchers, child support services, foster care and adoption, and child protective services. If you or your family are struggling with food, medical costs, housing, childcare expenses, or employment, SCJFS is often the first stop for help. This guide covers location, services, how to apply, eligibility basics, and common questions.
SCJFS operates with a mission to protect children and vulnerable adults, stabilize and strengthen families, and support self-sufficiency. The agency partners with other service providers throughout Stark County to coordinate care across housing, employment, education, and health domains.
Location & Contact
Stark County Job and Family Services — Main Office
221 3rd Street SE, Canton, OH 44702
Main phone: (330) 452-4661
Customer service line: 1-844-640-OHIO (1-844-640-6446)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Division of Children Services (separate building)
402 2nd Street SE, Canton, OH 44702
Report child abuse or neglect: 330-455-KIDS (330-455-5437) or 1-800-233-5437
Foster care and adoption information: 330-451-8789
Division of Child Support is located at the same main office (221 3rd Street SE):
Customer service: 330-451-8930
Payment information: JFS.ohio.gov/ocs
Both main buildings are in downtown Canton. Parking is available in nearby public lots. Because cases are processed in the order they are received, arriving early helps reduce wait times — especially for in-person applications or interviews.
Services Offered
SCJFS administers multiple programs:
SNAP (Food Assistance, formerly Food Stamps): Monthly benefits loaded on an EBT card for food purchases. Eligibility is based on household income, size, and expenses. Healthy adults under 60 may have work requirements. Most households can receive benefits within 30 days of complete application; expedited emergency benefits are available for households in extreme need within 7 days.
Medicaid: Free or very low-cost healthcare coverage for eligible children, pregnant women, parents with dependent children, seniors, and adults with disabilities. The Affordable Care Act expansion made many previously ineligible adults eligible. Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health, and dental for children. Healthy Start is the Medicaid program specifically for pregnant women and children up to 19.
Ohio Works First (OWF) — Cash Assistance: Monthly cash benefit for very low-income families with children. Includes work requirements for most recipients and a 36-month lifetime limit. Often combined with SNAP, Medicaid, and childcare assistance.
Child Care Assistance: Helps working families pay for child care so parents can work or attend school. Eligibility based on income; parents typically pay a small copay. Child Care unit phone: 330-452-4661.
Child Support Enforcement: Establishes paternity, determines support orders, collects and distributes payments, and enforces court orders through wage withholding, tax refund interception, and license suspension for non-payment.
Child Protective Services: Investigates reports of child abuse and neglect, provides in-home safety services, and places children in foster care when safety cannot be maintained at home. Reports to 330-455-KIDS are confidential.
Foster Care & Adoption: Recruits, trains, and supports foster and adoptive families. Information sessions happen regularly for those interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation: Free transportation to Medicaid-covered appointments — doctor visits, dental, vision, mental health, etc. — for Medicaid recipients without other transportation options.
Employment Programs: Work Experience Program matches participants with local businesses in exchange for public assistance benefits. Subsidized Employment Program offsets hiring and training costs for employers hiring workers coming off public assistance.
How to Apply
Online (fastest for most people): Apply at benefits.ohio.gov through the Self-Service Portal. Create an account, complete the application for SNAP, Medicaid, Ohio Works First, or childcare — all in one form. You can also check eligibility using the Pre-Screening tool before formally applying.
By phone: Call the customer service line at 1-844-640-OHIO (1-844-640-6446) to start an application over the phone. Staff determine eligibility and walk you through the application step by step.
In-person: Visit 221 3rd Street SE, Canton, during office hours (8 AM - 4 PM). Complete a paper application with staff assistance.
By mail or fax: Download the application from the SCJFS website, complete it, and mail to 221 3rd Street SE, Canton, OH 44702 or fax to (330) 451-8925.
What Happens After Applying
Public assistance applications can take up to 30 days to process (expedited SNAP within 7 days for emergencies). You will typically need a face-to-face interview — in person or by phone — which the county schedules after receiving your application. The interview confirms details, reviews documentation (income verification, household composition, expenses), and finalizes eligibility. Verification documents commonly required: photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters), proof of housing costs, proof of utility bills, and bank statements.
Avoid calling to check status unless more than 10 calendar days have passed since submitting verification. Register for a Self-Service account at benefits.ohio.gov for 24/7 access to your case status, with optional text or email alerts when actions are taken.
EBT Card Safety & Fraud Protection
SNAP EBT and Cash cardholders should be cautious of skimming and phishing fraud. If you believe your benefits have been stolen or compromised:
- Change your PIN immediately (call 1-866-386-3071 for SNAP EBT or 1-866-320-8822 for Cash card)
- Request a new card through the same numbers
- Notify SCJFS by calling 330-451-8223 or emailing [email protected]
- File a theft report with your local law enforcement agency
Common fraud warning signs: unexpected texts or calls asking for your PIN, strange transactions on your EBT card, missing card, or being asked to use your card at unusual locations. Never share your PIN. SCJFS will NEVER call and ask for your PIN or personal information.