Contacts:
Joint Information Center: JIC@cuyahogacounty.us; (216) 443-5245


CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – As circumstances continue to evolve related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuyahoga County continues to review its operations, find ways to encourage social distancing, and reduce the number of people entering our buildings. As a result, Cuyahoga County is closing its buildings to the public.

“To help better protect our County residents and County employees, I have made the decision to close all County buildings to the public until further notice, effective March 18. I am making this decision to ensure that we as a County are doing all we can to prevent the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “We will still be providing critical services, and you can find more information on this on the Cuyahoga County website. This is a fast-moving situation and we are all working to keep our residents and our employees safe while maintaining critical services. Thank you to our residents and our employees for your patience during this time and please stay safe and healthy.”

Information on County services can be found on the “Online Services” link on the Cuyahoga County homepage. The webpage includes what services are available online, over the phone or via email.

Current and potential Health and Human Services clients are encouraged to access benefits and services online or by phone. Changes to operations include the following:

Division of Job and Family Services

• No walk-in applications for benefits are being accepted.
• To apply by phone call: 1-844-640-OHIO (6446)
• To apply online: visit www.benefits.ohio.gov
• Clients can also use self-service drop boxes or scanning kiosks to submit documents.
• All in-person assessments and on-site visits related to work activity requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are suspended until further notice.

Other services that can be contacted by phone:

• Child Care Assistance Information Line: (216) 987-6929
• Long-Term Care Contact Line: (216) 858-8405
• PRC Information Line: (216) 987-7392

Office of Child Support Services (OCSS)

• Continuing all Genetic Testing for 6-8 weeks. Parents will be provided with a new date and time.
• All Administrative Hearings will be conducted by phone.
• All other services should be accessed online or by phone, including:
  • Application for Child Support
  • Payment Inquiries
  • Case Information
  • Administrative Hearings
  • For payment options, please visit https://oh.smartchildsupport.com/ or 1.888.965.2676, option 5.
  • Review and Adjustment Requests
  • Fatherhood Initiative Services

Ways to Contact OCSS

For case questions and information please call or send us a message via:

• the Child Support Customer Service web portal at https://childsupport.ohio.gov/login.jsf.
• OCSS Contact Center (216) 443-5100
• Automated Payment Line 1-800-860-2555
• Fatherhood Initiative (216) 348-3967

Division of Children and Family Services

• Walk-ins accepted for hotline emergencies only.
• If you have a question, concern, or need services please call the DCFS hotline at 216-696-KIDS (5437).
• If you have a scheduled appointment or meeting regarding a case, please plan to participate by phone. Participants can call the DCFS front desk at 216-431-4500 to be connected to their meeting. If calling in is not possible, you can attend in person and will be escorted to a meeting room.

Division of Senior and Adult Services

• For information about services call the Centralized Intake line: 216-420-6700
• Adult Protective Services referrals can be made by phone or online at dsas.cuyahogacounty.us.

Other Essential County Services:

Auto Title

• The Bedford and Parma auto title locations will be open Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30 to process dealer work only.
• There will be no Saturday hours during the shutdown period.
• The Main Branch located at the Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters will remain open to process all mail and dealer work. A drop box is located in the lobby.
• The three branches will be staffed by management only.

Fiscal Operations

• Homestead and Exempt applications will be processed until otherwise notified.
• For Homestead, Exempt, Transfer and Recording the Fiscal Department will accept filings through UPS, FedEx, US mail and provide a drop box in the lobby of the County Administration Building for walk-ins.
• Tax Payments: During this period, the Treasurer’s Office will not accept in-person tax payments. While payments by mail will continue to be processed as normal, taxpayers are encouraged to utilize online and phone payment options available at https://treasurer.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/ways-to-pay.aspx.

Cuyahoga County Jail

• Friends/family – all visits held at the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center (CCCC) will be suspended until further notice. Starting March 18, 2020, remote video visitation will be available for all inmates. A promotional event (for the next 30 days) will allow each inmate to have one remote visit per week at no cost. Information will be shared with inmates within the next week explaining how to receive the free visit. 
• Attorney/Professional Visits required by the Court (aka essential visits) – these visits will continue as current practice. However, it is highly recommended attorneys and professional visitors consider the options of either on-site video visitation or remote visitation (see below). All other non-essential visits will be conducted as on-site video visitation.
• On-site video visitation for attorneys and professional visitors will be available on a walk up basis at no charge to the visitor. While it is encouraged to schedule a visit (so the inmate is aware of the visit), it is not required. A Scheduled on-site video visit does require the visitor to establish a user account (more information available before Friday, March 20, 2020). On-site video visits are 20 minutes in duration. 
• Remote video visits will be available starting March 18, 2020 with each visit being 25 minutes in duration. A User Account for the visitor will be required in order to have a remote video visit. The Visitor may use a smart phone, tablet or computer for remote visits (assuming the phone/tablet/computer meets all technology requirements). With the exception of the promotional one free visit per week, all remote video visits have a fee of $5 for 25 minutes (additional fee applies for payment by credit card).

Family Justice Center/Witness Victim Service Center

• Starting on March 18, 2020, the Family Justice Center located at 75 Erieview Plaza, Cleveland, OH 44114 will be closed for walk in traffic. Victims requiring assistance may call 216-443-7345 and leave a message. This mailbox will be checked routinely during the day and an advocate will reach out to you shortly thereafter. For emergencies, please continue to call 9-1-1.