With so much uncertainty about when the federal government will reopen, the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services pulled together resources that can help you find ways to stretch your food dollars. We have also added a
Question-and-Answers page to address concerns we are receiving from customers. We will continue to update this page as information becomes available.
To start, there are five ways customers can cut their food cost:
- Consider multi-purpose foods, or foods that can be bought in bulk, used in multiple dishes and stored.
- Couponing - there are various online coupon sites that can be saved on your phone and scanned in at the store, without being printed.
- Food pantries: The Mid-Ohio Foodbank has a list of food pantries, locations and guidelines. Click here or on the following hyperlink: https://www.midohiofoodbank.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/food-assistance-Franklin-County-1-15-19.pdf.
- Use recipes for larger families/less ingredients.
- Use farmer’s markets for fresh fruit and vegetables (when available - seasonal).
Prevention, Retention and Contingency (Emergency Assistance):
FCDJFS also has an emergency assistance grant called Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) that families may qualify for. The assistance allows families with dependent children to receive up to $1,500 a year that can be used for housing, car expenses, or utilities. To learn more, click on the following hyperlink: https://jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/prc-plan-(1).
Service Hotlines:
- Call HandsOn Central Ohio at 614-221-6766 for information and referral to other community resources near you.
- Call the Ohio Federal Employees Impacted by Shutdown hotline at 1-833-876-0937 to inquire about filing for unemployment and to learn about resources for those affected by the shutdown, such as accommodations offered by major community banks.
Utility Assistance:
Customers facing financial hardship are asked to contact their utility companies to discuss assistance (payment plans, payment extensions, waiving of late fees and penalties, etc.).
- AEP: 1-800-672-2231.
- Columbus Gas: 1-800-344-4077.
- The Franklin County Sanitary Engineer at 614-525-3940 stands ready to provide assistance to all customers who may be facing hardships, such as those affected by the federal government shutdown.
- City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities is waving penalties for late utility payments for furloughed workers. Eligible federal workers are asked to make minimal monthly payments until the shutdown is complete and call 614-645-8276 or visit the walk-in payment office at 111 N. Front Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. Furloughed employees should bring proof of employment, such as a pay stub or an employee identification badge.
Veterans and Their Families:
The
Franklin County Veterans Service Commission has emergency assistance programs to support veterans and their families facing financial hardship on a case-by-case basis. This assistance can include rent, utilities, food, and transportation assistance. For employees who are active duty, veterans themselves, or are the immediate family member of veterans, call 614-525-2500 or go to
https://vets.franklincountyohio.gov/financial-assistance for more information.
Property Taxes:
The
Franklin County Treasurer’s Office encourages impacted federal workers to contact the Treasurer’s Office as soon as possible to discuss property tax payment options for homeowners in Franklin County. To learn more, call 614-525-3438 or click the following hyperlink:
https://treasurer.franklincountyohio.gov/trea-website/media/trea-documents/pdf's/property-tax-relief-infographics.pdf.