Money Assistance Ohio

Ohio is ranked in the lower half of states for their poverty level with 16 percent of all residents living below or at the poverty level; 11.6 percent of families in the state are considered poor. The lack of employment opportunities is a major factor to this high percentage. To assist those who are having financial issues, the State of Ohio along with many other organizations have created a range of financial benefits and aid programs to help residents with paying bills and providing free assistance for certain living essentials.

Assistance with Utilities: The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low income Ohioans meet the high costs of heating their homes through the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Office of Community Assistance. There are also programs for those that have been disconnected to be reconnected during the cold winter months through the Winter Reconnect Program. Lastly there is the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), which HEAP is a part of, but also includes the weatherization of your home.

Food Assistance: The Ohio Food Assistance Program also federally referred to as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is meant to aid those in low-income households to raise their nutrition levels. In Ohio this is accomplished through an EBT, Electronic Benefit Transfer card that looks like a debit or credit card that is loaded by the program and the individual can use at specified food stores.

Loan Help: There are certainly numerous situations which require cash to keep the household running. Car repairs, appliance repair or replacement and so on. If you are in need of a personal loan, see how credit unions, non-profits and even some banks can help through specialty loans. Learn about these many options here.

 
Rent and Mortgage: The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) helps supports Americans in any state by providing a subsidy to renters with low-incomes. This comes in the form of a public housing voucher or through vendors listed as public housing qualified. There are other organizations located throughout the state that can also help with short term mortgage payments found here.

Medical Assistance: In any state, Medicaid, a federal program enables low income individuals, families, the disabled and the elderly to receive free essential health care. This program is administered by the Ohio Department of Medicaid. Children’s Health Care Coverage in Ohio, also known as CHIP also provides low or no-cost coverage for children’s medical needs.

Educational Assistance: There are plenty of state grant and scholarship programs that can aid a student entering any accredited institution in Ohio if they qualify which can be found here. There are also Federal Student Aid Programs that can help students in various situations achieve payment aid.

Community Action Agencies: Beginning in 1964 the State of Ohio founded the Economic Opportunity Act supporting Community Action Agencies that comprise locally controlled private organizations whose sole purpose is to help low-income families and individuals become self-sufficient. With 50 agencies in all 88 counties there is a resource near you to help in a number of ways.

Charities: There is always a need for both volunteers and those that rely on charities for assistance. Many Americans are unaware about the different types of charities that are out there and how they can assist. There are thousands of charities across Ohio with many in your own neighborhood. Learn more about what they do and how they can help here.