Public Assistance Programs

 

Each Public Assistance program has unique eligibility requirements. Most programs include maximum income and resource limits. To determine if you may qualify for a program, you must complete the Application Process.  For more information on applying for assistance click here.

 

Ohio Works First (OWF)
This program (formerly ADC) helps meet the needs of children and their parents or caretakers through cash and medical assistance. The goals of OWF are: to encourage care of dependent children; to maintain and strengthen families; and to help parents or relatives of children attain self sufficiency.
 

Medicaid

Medicaid provides full medical insurance coverage to low income individuals and families. There are many types of Medicaid, including:

  • Medicaid for aged (65 or over), blind, or disabled people

  • Medicaid for all families on Ohio Works First (formerly ADC)

  • Healthy Start Medicaid, for pregnant women and children ages 0-18 that meet income guidelines based on the Federal poverty level.  Application for Healthy Start Medicaid

  • Nursing Home Medicaid

  • Waiver Medicaid, with in-home nursing assistance and other services to elderly or disabled people who would otherwise be in a nursing home.

  • For more information on Medicaid click here.

 

Food Stamps

The Federal Food Stamp Program provides monthly benefits to low income households or individuals to increase their food purchasing power. The program goal is to promote better health and nutrition.

 

Ohio Direction Card FAQ

FNS Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool

Food Assistance Fact Sheet

Food Stamp Application

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or political beliefs.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
 

 

PRC (Prevention, Retention, and Contingency)

The PRC Program is designed to provide benefits and services to needy families and low income employed individuals who are in need of help with essential supports to move out of poverty and become self sufficient.  These supports include nonrecurring, short term, crisis-oriented benefits, and ongoing services that are directly related to the these four TANF purposes.

  • Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in homes of relatives

  • End the dependency of needy parents on governmental benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage.

  • Prevent and reduce the incidence of out of wedlock pregnancies and establish numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies.

  • Encourage the formation and maintenance of two parent families.
 
LEAP
This program helps pregnant teens or teen parents to graduate.  Cash incentives and counseling are used to encourage them to finish high school or secure a GED.
 
Child Care
If you are working or attending school, you may qualify to place your children in day care facilities. The Community Action  certifies day cares and private homes as acceptable providers. Customers can qualify for assistance to cover all or part of the day care cost.  Click Here For Child Care In Ohio.
 
Transportation
Qualified Medicaid customers can receive free transportation to medical appointments when they have no other way to get there.
 
Healthchek
Healthchek offers preventative health care free to all Medicaid eligible individuals through age 20. Services include physical exams, dental care, vision, and hearing services.

 
At Risk Pregnancy
The At Risk Pregnancy program screens expecting mothers to reduce the chances of pre-term delivery, low birth weight babies, and other poor birth outcomes for the Medicaid population. Once a pregnant woman is diagnosed as being at-risk, she is eligible for additional services, including extensive pregnancy counseling and education, nutrition counseling, and care coordination (medical case management). The local Job & Family Services may also provide transportation services.