Work Experience Program (WEP) – Franklin County Next

Work Experience Program (WEP) – Franklin County
Next Steps
www.ohiofoodbanks.org
101 E. Town St.
Suite 540
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-221-4336
Fax: 614-221-4338
Home of
The Ohio Benefit Bank™
www.ohiobenefits.org
1-800-648-1176
Transportation Stipend: Every WEP participant is sent a monthly transportation
stipend in the form of a $62 check. This can be used to buy a bus pass, purchase
gas, or otherwise pay for transportation. This check is distributed by the Franklin
County Department of Job and Family Services and should arrive no later than 10
days after your last meeting with your caseworker. If it does not arrive within 10 days
please contact your caseworker for more information.
Work Experience Clinics: All WEP participants will attend three Work Experience
Clinics within the first month after completing their assessment. Each WEP
participant must attend all three Work Experience Clinics before being placed at a
site. One of these clinics will include a complimentary background check. Information
about these clinics will be mailed to the address listed on your assessment form.
Placement: Once you have completed your three clinics you will be assigned to a host
site to complete your required hours of volunteer service. Your case worker will have
informed you how many hours of service you are required to complete. Upon being
contacted by a representative of The Ohio Association of Foodbanks™ you will have
two business days to contact your host site. You will then arrange a volunteer
schedule with your host site.
Referrals: Over the course of your assessment you may have been referred to one or
both of the following resources:
 Medicaid- Under the new Medicaid Expansion, any individuals who
have an income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Line are eligible for
Medicaid. To apply for Medicaid please do one of the following:
o Fill out an online application at www.benefits.ohio.gov
o Call the Ohio Medicaid Hotline and apply over the phone at
1-800-324-8680
o Contact your caseworker and request a paper Medicaid
application
 Ohio Means Jobs- This website can assist your can help you search
thousands of jobs and internships, and allows you to post your resume to get noticed
by thousands of employers. www.ohiomeansjobs.com
Please Note: If you are currently volunteering at a not-for-profit or faith based
organization, or taking any work force development classes, please have your
supervisor complete the Host a Volunteer form found on our website at
http://wep.ohiofoodbanks.org/host-a-volunteer.html
Ohio’s LARGEST charitable response to hunger
A Partner State Association of Feeding America
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours do WEP participants need to fulfill?
In order to fulfill the mandatory work requirement under new SNAP food assistance policies, Franklin
County residents must fulfill a certain amount of volunteer service hours per month in place of
employment. The amount of service hours a participant is required to serve is determined by his or
her case worker. Completing these hours ensures that they will continue to receive needed food
assistance under new policy changes while having time to look for employment.
What kinds of volunteer roles meet the requirements of the WEP?
Volunteer experience through the WEP is intended to give participants valuable training, education,
or experience that would be beneficial in their search for future employment. A list of possible
volunteer roles could include but is not limited to: janitorial duties, painting, grounds maintenance,
warehouse, office work, manual labor, or any position providing valuable experience for future
employment.
What rights are given to WEP participants at a volunteer host site?
WEP participants are given the right at any time to request being moved to another site for any
reason. They are also given the right to inform the Association of any conflict related to volunteering
at the Host Site. WEP participants should be notified of these and other rights during their training at
the Host Site.
* Please contact the Work Opportunities Coordinator at The Ohio Association of Foodbanks if you
have any problems with your host site.
Work Opportunities Program
614-221-4336
Do travel times to and from the work site count as volunteer hours?
Under the WEP agreement, travel time to and from the Host Site does not count towards the
volunteers fulfilled hours.
Can WEP participants replace paid staff?
Under the site agreement between the Host Site and the Sponsor, it is explicitly forbidden to replace
paid labor with WEP participant hours. Volunteers may fulfill the work given to current volunteers, but
may not substitute for paid labor.
If I am injured, how should I apply for workman’s compensation?
In the event of a work related injury, please contact your caseworker immediately.
Are there restrictions for what WEP participants can and can’t do?
In accordance with WEP and Franklin County policies, volunteers are prohibited from engaging in
explicitly union, religious, or political activities while at their Host Site. Examples include but are not
limited to: attending a union meeting, leading a prayer session, handing out political flyers or
statements.
Ohio Association of Foodbanks
Ohio’s LARGEST charitable response to hunger

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