OHIO

Ohio Works First (OWF)

Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of Ohio’s TANF program. OWF was established to provide time-limited cash assistance to eligible families with children.

According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, eligibility is limited to needy families earning at or below 50% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that’s just about $1,138 per month.

OWF cash benefit is limited to 36 months in a lifetime, though exceptions may exist for certain cases. For “child only” cases there is no time limit.¹

How much is cash assistance will I get in Ohio?

Currently, the OWF benefit for a family of three with little or no income is $640. The table below shows the maximum payment schedule by household size.

How do I apply for cash assistance in Ohio?

You may apply for Ohio Works First online by going to Ohio Benefits  or by filling out the application form ² and submitting it to your county agency .

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Benefits Customer Service
(844) 640-6446

Ohio Food Assistance Program

Ohio Food Assistance Program or known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps eligible low-income families stretch their food budgets and buy healthy food.

Families qualify for benefits if their household’s gross monthly income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines or about $2,960 per month for a family of three.

How much is SNAP benefits in Ohio?

Benefits may vary depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size and income. For example, a family of three with no income may receive up to $808 in monthly SNAP benefits.

How do I apply for SNAP in Ohio?

Applications for Ohio Food Assistance Program (FAP) can be made online at Ohio Benefits  or in person at your county JFS office .

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Benefits Customer Service
(844) 640-6446

Ohio Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Ohio WIC helps income eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition.

Applicants must be determined by a health professional to be “at nutritional risk” and have incomes within the Ohio’s WIC income guidelines .

What is the income limit for WIC in Ohio?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC is available to Ohio families with a household income less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level.³ That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for WIC in Ohio?

WIC clinics are located in all 88 Ohio counties. To locate a nearby WIC clinic, call the Help Me Grow Helpline at (800) 755-4769 to schedule an appointment.

Ohio Medicaid

Ohio Medicaid is a public program that offers comprehensive health coverage to eligible low-income Ohioans, including families and children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Medicaid covers essential services such as doctor visits, prescription medications, hospital care, vision and dental services, immunizations, mental health care, and more.

For most, there are no premiums or deductibles. According to the Ohio Department of Medicaid, a few services carry a copayment: $3 per visit for dental care and for non-emergency hospital or emergency room visits, $2 per exam for eye examinations, and $2 to $3 per prescription for brand-name and prior-authorization medications. Members younger than 21, pregnant women, and people receiving emergency, family planning or hospice services are not charged.⁴

What is the income threshold for Medicaid in Ohio?

As Ohio is expanding Medicaid coverage, Medicaid is now available to all adults age between 19—64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $3,142 per month for a family of three.

Children with existing private health insurance may be eligible for coverage up to 156% of the federal poverty level, while those with no other health insurance may qualify for Health Start at a higher income level.

People who have both Medicare and Medicaid may be eligible for the MyCare Ohio  program, which coordinates benefits between the two.

This includes long-term care services both in the community, assisted living, and in a nursing facility as well as behavioral health services.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Ohio?

You can apply for Medicaid online through Ohio Benefits  which is the official portal for Ohio residents to apply for Medicaid.

Ohio Department of Medicaid
Medicaid Consumer Hotline
(800) 324-8680

Ohio Healthy Start (CHIP)

Healthy Start (CHIP) provides health care coverage for children from birth through age 18 and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid.

Healthy Start is available to uninsured children from families whose household income is at or below 211% of the federal poverty level (FPL) or 205% for pregnant women.

For most families, coverage is free, and according to the Ohio Department of Medicaid, members younger than 21 are not charged copayments.⁴

What is the income limit for Ohio Healthy Start?

As of 2025, Ohio has implemented continuous eligibility for children, ensuring they stay covered regardless of small changes in family income during their eligibility period.

Ohio Healthy Families

Healthy Families  is a separate Medicaid program available to families with incomes up to 90% of the federal poverty level and a child younger than age 19.

Healthy Start primarily covers pregnant women and children (birth to age 19) from low-to-moderate income families, while Healthy Families extends that free health coverage to the entire family, including parents.

What is the income limit for Ohio Healthy Families?

Both Healthy Start and Healthy Families can be applied for via the unified Ohio Benefits  portal or in person at the county JFS office .

Ohio Department of Medicaid
Medicaid Consumer Hotline
(800) 324-8680

Ohio Publicly Funded Child Care

Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) is the state subsidy program targeted at low-income families who need help paying for child care.

PFCC provides assistance with payment for child care on a sliding fee basis for eligible parents while they work, attend school, or take part in job training.

The program pays for part of the child care costs, and the parent co-pays for a portion based on their income, family size and the number of children in care.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Ohio?

A family in Ohio is considered “income eligible ” when the total gross monthly income is at or below 145% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application, or higher if the parent has a child with special needs.

Once enrolled, the family remain eligible until their income reaches 300% of the federal poverty level or about $6,830 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Ohio?

Families whose income does not exceed 145% of the federal poverty level may apply for child care assistance online through Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal .

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Family and Customer Support Center
(877) 302-2347

Ohio Child Care Choice Voucher

Parents whose income is above the eligibility threshold for the state’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program may be considered for the Child Care Choice Voucher.

Eligibility is limited to households whose income falls between 146% and 200% of the federal poverty level at the time of application, or higher if the parent has a child with special needs.

Families may apply online through Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal  or in person at the local County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS).

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Family and Customer Support Center
(877) 302-2347

Ohio SUN Meals!

Ohio’s Summer Food Service Program, now called SUN Meals! is a federally funded program that provides free, healthy meals to children during summer break.

All children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free meals at participating program sites, such as schools, parks, and other approved, safe sites.

The program operates throughout the summer months of June through August when school is not in session. No application or registration is required.

In addition to physical meals, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says eligible families receive a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible child through “SUN Bucks” (Summer EBT) to purchase groceries.⁵ Children ages 6 to 18 who receive SNAP, Ohio Works First or income-qualified Medicaid are enrolled automatically.

To find a nearest Sun Meal! site,
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
(866) 348-6479

Ohio Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Ohio’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income eligible Ohioans pay their heating bills. The HEAP program provides a credit once per winter heating season towards a household’s primary heating source.⁶

Ohio offers several other energy assistance programs, including:

1. Summer Crisis Program
2. Winter Crisis Program
3. Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), which sets utility payments at a percentage of household income
4. Weatherization Assistance Program

What is the income limit for HEAP in Ohio?

Eligibility for HEAP in Ohio is limited to households with incomes at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. For example, a three-person household earning $3,984 or less per month may qualify.

How much is the HEAP benefit in Ohio?

HEAP benefits range from $24 to $441, depending on household income and energy costs. Priority is given to households with the highest needs or home energy costs in relation to their income.

How do I apply for HEAP in Ohio?

You can submit your application online at energyhelp.ohio.gov  along with a copy of your most recent utility bills. The program runs from October 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027.

Ohio Department of Development
Office of Community Assistance
(800) 282-0880

Is LIHWAP water bill assistance still available in Ohio?

No. Ohio’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) was a temporary program funded by the federal government, and that funding is no longer available. Households cannot currently receive LIHWAP benefits. If you need help with a water or wastewater bill, contact your water utility or dial 2-1-1 to ask about local assistance.

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program provides grant money to Ohio students who demonstrate the highest level of financial need with an Student Aid Index (SAI) of 3,750 or less.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, the award amounts range from $1,000 to $4,000 annually based on student’s enrollment status and the type of institution the student is attending.

Students may apply for OCOG by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application deadline is October 1 each year.

Ohio Department of Higher Education
(800) 233-6734

Ohio Earned Income Credit

Ohio is among 31 states with a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), set at 30% of the federal credit. However, it provides limited support to the poorest working families at tax time. ⁷

That’s because Ohio’s EITC is nonrefundable, meaning any credit amount exceeding a taxpayer’s income tax liability will not be issued as a refund. As a result, the credit provides minimal benefit to families with very low incomes who owe little or no income tax.⁸

How much is Ohio Earned Income Credit?

How do I claim the Ohio EITC?

To claim an EITC, you must file a federal tax return, IRS Form 1040. If you have a qualifying child, be sure to attach a Schedule EIC.

Ohio Ethics Commission (OEC)
(614) 466-7090.