Public Benefits Resources

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), sometimes called Food Stamps, are public benefits for low-income people to buy food. In Ohio, the benefits are loaded on an Ohio Direction Card, which looks similar to a debit card. The card can be used at participating grocery stores. The amount of Food Stamps a household can get depends on the number of people in the household and their income.

Food Assistance Benefits

This brochure explains what food stamps are and how to apply.

Expedited SNAP Benefits

This brochure explains how to get emergency SNAP benefits quickly (usually within either 24 hours or seven days) and who qualifies for Expedited SNAP.

Immigration and the Public Charge Rule

This brochure explains what to do if you are concerned about whether receiving SNAP will impact your immigration status.

Ohio Works First (OWF) is Ohio’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, a cash assistance program for families and children. Households may be eligible if they have a minor child in the home or are pregnant and in the third trimester and have no or low income. OWF is available for 36 months, though you may able to receive it for longer than that. 

Ohio Works First (OWF) Extensions

This brochure includes more information about Ohio Works First and how to apply for a hardship extension if you have used up your 36 months of cash assistance.

Medicaid is a health insurance program which covers low-income individuals, families, and children. In general, children in households with an income below 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible. Adults under the age of 65 who don’t receive Medicare and whose income is below 138% of the federal poverty level are also eligible. People who work but are disabled can also get Medicaid if their income is below 250% of the federal poverty level

Medicaid Basics

This flyer explains the basics of Medicaid, including who is eligible, how to apply, and how you can appeal if you are denied

Medicaid Waiver Programs

This brochure explains Medicaid waiver programs for people with health issues that limit their daily life including trouble dressing, getting around, toileting, and eating. These programs can help with things like home health care, durable medical equipment, adult day services, and more.

Ohio’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program

This brochure explains the state’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program and what it could mean for you. You may have heard that the state will take your house if you apply for Medicaid. While that is not entirely true, the state can sometimes recover some of its costs from your estate if you have Medicaid

Medicaid Treatment for Children

This brochure explains what Medicaid covers for children.

Medicaid Coverage for Behavioral Health

This brochure explains what mental health and substance use disorder benefits Medicaid must cover.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program available to people who are aged 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with end stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant). Medicare helps cover services like: hospital bills, doctor’s bills, and prescription drugs. Medicare covers part of the costs of hospitalizations, prescriptions, doctors services, and medical supplies among other things. Medicare does not cover all the costs of healthcare. There are still deductibles and cost-sharing requirements. Most people will have to pay a Medicare premium each month, which is usually deducted directly from their Social Security checks.

Medicare Basics

This brochure explains the basics of Medicare, including who is eligible and different Medicare programs and what they cover.

Medical debt is one of the leading causes of bankruptcies in the United States. These debts are just like other debts, and if you are unable to pay them, you can be sued in court and even have your wages garnished.

There are some programs that can help you address your medical debts. For example, if you qualify for Medicaid, you could have bills covered for services in the 90 days before your date of application for Medicaid. You can apply for Medicaid online, in person at your county’s Department of Job and Family Services (find your county JFS office here), or by filling out the application here and turning it in to your county’s Department of Job and Family Services. 

Depending on your income, you may be eligible to have some or all of your hospital bills covered through the Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) or charity care programs. You can apply for HCAP by contacting the hospital’s billing department and asking for an HCAP application.

If you get paperwork or a complaint from a court saying that you have been sued over medical debts, you should contact us immediately. You only have 28 days to respond to the complaint. While we can’t represent everyone who calls our offices, we may be able to at least provide advice and information on how to respond on your own to the court case. We can also help you evaluate whether you would benefit from filing for bankruptcy.

Social Security Disability is a cash assistance program for people who are disabled and have worked enough qualifying quarters to be eligible. 

SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a cash assistance program for individuals with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or aged 65 and older. Unlike Social Security Disability, SSI is for very low-income individuals with few resources who have not worked enough to qualify for Social Security Disability.

Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income

This brochure explains these two federal benefit programs for those who are disabled, who is eligible, and how to apply.

Note: If the Social Security Administration sends you a notice saying they are going to stop your benefits or reduce the amount they are going to send you each month, it is important that you file a request for reconsideration and contact our office. Even if we are unable to represent you, we are usually able to at least give you advice on how to proceed.

You should also call our office if you get a notice saying that you have to pay back some of your benefits. Even if they are right that you were overpaid, you may be able to get it waived and not have to pay the money back. You may also be able to lower how much they take from your check each month.

Unemployment compensation, sometimes called “unemployment benefits” or “unemployment insurance” is paid by the state to unemployed workers who have lost their jobs due to layoffs. It is meant to provide a source of income for jobless workers until they can find employment. To be eligible for unemployment compensation, there are requirements, including having worked for a minimum period and actively looking for a job.

Applying for Unemployment

This brochure explains the Unemployment Compensation program in Ohio, who is eligible, and how to apply.

If you have minor children and work, are in job training, or are in school, you may be able to get help paying for child care. Normally, your income needs to be less than 142% of the federal poverty level. If your child has special needs, then that limit is 150% of the federal poverty level. Once you start receiving child care assistance, you can earn up to 300% of the federal poverty level and still get help. If you’re eligible, then the state will pay all or some of your child care costs. Some people may have to pay part of their child care costs depending on how much they earn. 

You can apply for child care payment help through your local county department of Job and Family Services (find your county JFS office here) or online. If your application for child care is denied or you get a notice saying your child care is going to be stopped, you should call us as soon as possible.

PRC (Prevention, Retention, and Contingency) a one-time cash payment for families in emergency situations. It can help with expenses like late rent, security deposits, or other expenses. You can only get this help once in a 12-month period. To be eligible, you must have a minor child in the house and have income less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) 

This brochure explains more about the PRC program, who is eligible for help, and what you need to apply.

What Can I Do if My Benefits Are Sanctioned in Ohio?

If you don’t report changes in household size or income, you may be sanctioned and lose your Ohio Works First benefits for a period of time. This brochure explains more about sanctions, what to do if you are sanctioned, and how to avoid losing your cash assistance.

You Have the Right to a State Hearing if You Disagree with a Decision about Your Benefits

This brochure explains your rights when you disagree with a decision by your Job and Family Services office.