Public istance and child support?

I receive food stamps and medical coverage from public istance. last time I went I was told I'm supposed to be receiving child support to get food stamps and medical coverage,but a few days later I got a letter telling me my benefits were still the same. I don't want to go through the trouble of going after the guy for child support because I know he won't pay (he even said he wouldn't pay,and he hasn't paid for his 2 older sons with his ex in about a year) and I don't want to have to keep going to court over it. I'm also afraid he'll go after me for custody which he's threatened before eventhough he is a deadbeat. does anybody know if in Ohio you really do have to be receiving support to get insurance and food stamps? I've had 3 or 4 other caseworkers before this one and none of them ever told me that