Ohio Benefits
Ohio Benefits has programs to help people. These programs have different ways to see if people can apply for and use them. Look at Who Qualifies to see if you can use them.
Create or go to your online account to fill out applications for these programs here.
The MOFC (Mid-Ohio Food Collective) benefits team might be able to help you learn and apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and other health insurance and benefits.
Click the links below to access resources:
Eligibility requirements will be changing for some Medicaid Individuals and may require action from you.
- Watch for renewal notices
- Update your address and phone number
- Complete any requested forms on time
Upcoming deadlines for HR 1 work requirements
- Sept. 2026: States must begin outreach to enrollees about work requirements. According to the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), outreach efforts are expected to begin in July and August.
- Jan. 2027: States must begin work requirements. Nebraska has already implemented work requirements, with three other states planning to implement them earlier than the federal deadline.
- Jan. 2029: States that are federally approved by CMS to delay work requirements must fully implement. The June interim final rule suggests that CMS will only approve extensions six months at a time and may limit the total number of approvals.
Health Insurance and Healthcare
- Ohio Medicaid provides health care coverage for eligible people, including children, pregnant women, adults, older people, and people with disabilities.
- Click here to apply for Medicaid or call (833) 628-4467.
- Healthy Start & CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program): Free/low-cost health and dental coverage for women and children (ages 0–20 years).
Food Assistance
- Ohio's SNAP Food Assistance Program (also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamps) helps eligible families stretch their money for food and buy healthy food.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Support for healthy eating for pregnant women and those who have recently had babies, infants, and children under age 5 years ((800)755-GROW).
- NSLP (The National School Lunch Program): Free/reduced meals for children going to school; apply through your child’s school.
- SFSP (Summer Food Service Program): Free meals for children when school is out (June – August) (866) 3 HUNGRY. Search for sites near you (866) 3 HUNGRY.
- Summer EBT: Grocery money for families during school breaks.
Utility Assistance (for water, electricity, gas, etc.)
- City of Columbus Utility Assistance: Income-based discount programs for those who meet the requirements and special payment arrangements.
- HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program): Helps with home energy bills as a one-time benefit applied directly to the customer’s utility bill or bulk fuel bill.
Child Care and Early Childhood Education
- Early care and education services: Helps families find preschool services:
- Publicly Funded Child Care
- Child Care Choice Voucher Program: Helps eligible families pay for child care if their income is too high for publicly funded child care.
- Ohio PROMISE: Early childhood education and support services, especially for children with disabilities.
Employment
- Look for a job.
- Find support to build your career.
- Find funding for job training.
- Job help if you have a criminal history
- If you don’t have a job even if you are trying to get one, you may be able to get unemployment benefits.
Education
- GED (General Educational Development) and High School Graduation: Help pay for applying for the GED test.
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Federal Financial Aid – applications open October 1 every year.
- Examples of federal aid
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Federal Work –Study
- Federal Perkins Loan
- Subsidized and Unsubsidized (Stafford) Loans
- Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans)
- Student Loan Repayment
- Examples of federal aid
- Tax credits: Two education tax credits can help with cost of higher education.
- Other scholarships for higher education
Disability
- SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work.
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income) provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources.
Veterans Services
People who served in the U.S. military may be able to get veteran benefits. Complete this form to see if you are eligible.
Financial Assistance
- Ohio Works First provides cash benefits to eligible families for up to 36 months.
More Information
- Community Updates from Legal Aid of Southeast & Central Ohio
- Health Policy News updates
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