🚀 Apply for Benefits
Understanding Federal Poverty Levels
The Federal Poverty Level is an income amount used to determine eligibility for various income-based public programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps. The dollar amount varies depending on how many people are in your household. If your yearly income is below the dollar amount listed for the number of people in your home, you are considered in-need and eligible for various income-based public programs.
2025 Federal Poverty Level
| Household Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 contiguous states + DC | $15,650 | $21,150 | $26,650 | $32,150 | $37,650 | $43,150 | $48,650 | $54,150 | Add $5,500 per additional person |
Note: Federal Poverty Level guidelines are issued yearly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Ohio Assistance Programs and Services
There are many different types of public assistance programs for those deemed in-poverty or in-need. For example, ODJFS and ODM have several programs that help low-income individuals. Each program has its own eligibility rules. Below is a list of assistance programs and supportive services:
Available Programs
Ohio Works First (OWF)
Cash benefits for families in need for up to 36 months. You may be eligible for up to 60 months if you meet certain criteria.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Benefits to help purchase food.
Child Care Assistance
Financial assistance for child care costs to eligible caretakers while they work, go to school, or are participating in job training.
Medicaid
Assistance to help pay for health care for low-income and medically vulnerable Ohioans.
Child Support
Financial and medical support for children.
Unemployment Benefits
Temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. To file for unemployment by phone, call 877-644-6562.
Refugee Services
Helps refugees find work to support their families and to connect them with local schools and the community.
Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC)
Work support and other services to help low-income families overcome immediate barriers to achieve self-sufficiency.
Employment Services
Job training and/or help finding a job.
Foster Care and Adoption Assistance
Provides subsidies and reimbursements to foster care and adoptive families.
Learning, Earning and Parenting Services (LEAP)
Designed to encourage pregnant and parenting teens to attend and complete high school or the equivalent.
Kinship Programs
Provide benefits and services to caregivers so that children may be cared for in the home of relatives or other caregivers when their parents are unable to care for them.
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Tip: JFS Can Give Personalized HelpContact your local county Job and Family Services (JFS) office to discuss which programs you may be eligible for and get help with applications.
How to Apply for Benefits
There are multiple ways to apply for SNAP, Cash, Medicaid, and Child Care Assistance programs in Ohio:
Application Methods
💻 Online
Create or access your account at ssp.benefits.ohio.gov. You can fill out applications for all programs using your account.
📧 Mail or Fax
Mail or fax completed applications to your county JFS office. Find contact info at jfs.ohio.gov/about/local-agencies-directory.
📞 Phone
Call 844-640-6446 to apply by phone or request an application. For Medicaid only, call 800-324-8680.
🏢 In-Person
Complete, sign, and turn in applications at your county JFS office. They will give you a receipt.
- Application for SNAP, Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance, and Child Care Assistance.
- Application for Medicaid.
📝 Application Process Steps
- Fill as much of the application as you can - Include at least your name, address, and signature. You can leave questions blank if you are not sure how to answer a question.
- Sign and date the application - Required before turning it in to your county JFS office.
- Submit within required timeframes - You have 30 days from the date you turned in your application to provide any additional information.
- Complete interview (if required) - Some applications require an interview such as SNAP or Cash Assistance.
- Provide verification documents - Your county JFS office will tell you any verification documents you need to submit and will send a Verification Request Checklist (JFS 07105) - this list contains deadlines for verficiation submissions. JFS will send you an eligibility notice after your application is processed.
- Receive decision - You'll get an approval notice with benefit information or a denial notice explaining the decision.
⚠️ Important Notes
- You can use an Authorized Representative to assist completing applications. They must be at least 18 years old and aware of your household circumstances. The representative can be changed at any time.
- For SNAP, Cash, and Child Care Assistance applications, your JFS office determines eligibility within 30 days of the date your application is turned in.
- For Medicaid applications, your JFS office will eligibility within 45 days.
- You may get help applying for Medicaid thorugh local providers or hospitals.
- Review any notices you receive carefully - they contain helpful resources and contact information.
📋 Required Documents
Typical documents needed: Social Security cards, birth certificates, pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, utility bills, medical expenses documentation, and proof of citizenship or immigration status.
📞 Need Help Applying?
Contact your local county Job and Family Services (JFS) office
They can help determine which programs you're eligible for and assist with applications.