Ohio Earned Income Credit #
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Ohio is one of 26 states with an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — pegged at 30% of the federal allocation, but it does little to help the states’ poorest working families.
Ohio’s credit leaves out the most important part: refundability. It is one of the weakest in the nation as the value of a nonrefundable credit does little for the poorest families who rarely owe income tax.
Ohio Works First (OWF) #
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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, needy families — for up to 36 months.
You will be required to participate in work activities for the required number of hours every month that you are on assistance. Failure to do so without good cause can result in termination of benefits.
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How much is cash assistance in Ohio?
Currently, an OWF benefit for a family of three is $542. Benefits are issued through either the Ohio PATHWAY card or deposited directly into your bank account.
You may apply for Ohio Works First online by going to Benefits.Ohio.gov or by filling out the “Request for Cash, Food and Medical Assistance” (JFS 7200) form and submitting it to your county agency.
Ohio Food Assistance Program #
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Ohio Food Assistance Program — formerly the Food Stamp Program, helps eligible low-income Ohioans stretch their food budgets and buy healthy food.
You may qualify for benefits if your household’s gross monthly income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines or about $2,590 a month for a single mother of two.
If you are accepted into the program, your food assistance benefits are automatically deposited to your Ohio DIRECTION Card account on the same day of each month you are eligible.
Ohio Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) #
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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.
To be fully eligible for the program, applicants must be determined by a health professional to be “at nutritional risk” and have incomes within the Ohio’s WIC income guidelines.
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How do I apply for WIC in Ohio?
WIC clinics are located in all 88 Ohio counties. To find a WIC clinic near you, please click here or call 1-800-755-GROW (4769) for assistance.
Ohio Healthy Families #
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Ohio Healthy Families guarantees coverage for basic health and long-term care services for Ohioans from low-income families — mostly uninsured families with children under age 19.
As Ohio is expanding Medicaid coverage, Healthy Families is now available to all Ohioans age between 19-64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
Those who qualify gain access to important services like doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, immunizations, vision and dental care, mental health services and more.
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How do I apply for Ohio Medicaid?
Apply online at OHIO Benefits — the official portal for Ohio residents to apply for Medicaid. If your application for Medicaid is approved, you will get a letter with your Medicaid card and can start using services right away.
Ohio Healthy Start (SCHIP) #
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Healthy Start (also called SCHIP) provides health care coverage for children younger than age 19 and pregnant women who qualify based on income.
Healthy Start is open to uninsured children from families whose household income is 211% or less of the federal poverty level (FPL) or less than 205% for pregnant women.
For most families, it is free. For families who qualify under higher income bracket, co-payments typically range from $3 to $5.
Ohio Child Care Assistance Program #
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Ohio CCAP is the state subsidy program targeted at low-income families who need help paying for child care. It provides assistance with payment for child care on a sliding fee basis for eligible parents.
CCAP is available for children under age 13 whose parent is employed or enrolled in OHIO WORKS FIRST program. Some exceptions can be made for those that are disabled.
The program pays for part of the child care costs, and you co-pay for a portion based on your income, family size and the number of children in care.
How do I apply for child care assistance in Ohio?
Ohio Summer Food Service #
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The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program that provides free nutritious meals to children living in low-income areas throughout Ohio. The program operates throughout the summer months (Jun – Aug) when they are out of school.
All children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free meals during the summer months at participating program sites. For more information or to find an SFSP site near you call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (486479)
Ohio Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) #
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The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps income eligible Ohioans pay their heating bills. The one-time benefit is applied directly to a recipient’s utility bill or fuel bill. 2
Ohioans with a household income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the program. Priority is given to households with the highest needs or home energy costs in relation to their income.
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Can I apply for HEAP online in Ohio?
You can submit your application online at energyhelp.ohio.gov along with a copy of your most recent utility bills.
For additional Information:
Call HEAP toll-free at (800) 282-0880 to be directed to your local HEAP provider.
If you have received a disconnect notice, you should immediately contact your local HEAP provider for help applying for Emergency HEAP.
Ohio Unemployment Insurance #
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Unemployment Insurance is a “wage replacement” program that helps workers who are unemployed. It provides temporary financial help to qualified individuals based on their previous earnings, while they are looking for a new job.
Ohio is one of the states that offers a dependency allowance to those who qualify. If you have up to two dependents, you may receive up to $530 per week of unemployment benefit.
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How do I file for unemployment in Ohio?
You may apply for UI benefits either electronically or by phone at 1-877-OHIOJOB (1-877-644-6562) toll-free, Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) #
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Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program provides grant money to Ohio students who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need with an expected family contribution (EFC) of $2,190 or less.
Award amounts may vary based on student’s enrollment status and the type of institution the student is attending. The application deadline is October 1 each year.
- On April 8, 2019, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed legislation to increase the state’s EITC from 10 to 30 percent of the federal credit and remove the income cap.
- Families who live in federally subsidized housing where the heat is included in the rent are not eligible for HEAP.