The Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program draws on funds to provide short-term assistance to renters who live in Hamilton County and can document income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, Hamilton County will pay up to 15 months rent (12 past due and 3 future) and 12-months of past due gas, water and/or electric utilities:

Once you apply, you may be contacted to provide additional information about your circumstances.

Before You Apply

Please be prepared to attach the following verification documents to your application:

If you are unable to attach all the required verifications to the application, you can e-mail them to hamil_caresfunding@jfs.ohio.gov

After you Apply

Landlord Vendor Registration

If you applied for RENT assistance, your landlord must be a registered vendor. Ask your landlord to register at: https://www.hcjfs.org/services/workforce-development/vendor-registration/. 

Submit Verifications

If the caseworker contacts you and requests additional information, a checklist will be e-mailed to you with a list of documentation still required.

If you are unable to attach all the required documents to the application, you can e-mail them to hamil_caresfunding@jfs.ohio.gov. 

APPLY – https://erap.hcjfs.org/

EMAIL – hamil_caresfunding@jfs.ohio.gov

CALL – (513) 946-1000 option 1 for status updates on submitted applications

Those seeking information about the status of their application; the status of a payment to a landlord, mortgage or utility company; changing a current application; or sending missing documents, can contact the Hamilton County Job and Family Services team at (513) 946-1000 option 1.

The United Way of Greater Cincinnati Care Coordination team can help with the online Rent/Mortgage/Utility application. Call 211 and request to speak to a Care Coordinator or text 211CARES to 51555. You can also visit their website: United Way 211 Helpline – Get Help | United Way of Greater Cincinnati (uwgc.org)

Through the Ohio Home Relief Programs, CAA is able to assist renters and homeowners with their past due rent, utility, water, gas and electric bills. Those interested in receiving assistance through the program should visit: https://www.cincy-caa.org/what-we-do/supportive-services/caa-home-relief.html to find out if they are qualified or call (513) 569-1840 option 4 to get in touch with a customer service representative who will walk you through the application process.

Applications are being accepted, reviewed and processed in the order received.  Court eviction cases may take precedence. 

VISIT – https://www.cincy-caa.org/what-we-do/supportive-services/caa-home-relief.html

APPLY – https://apply.cincy-caa.org/

CALL – (513) 569-1840, option 4

The Hamilton County Mortgage Relief Program draws on federal relief funds to provide assistance of up to six months of past due mortgage, property taxes, and/or utilities for owner-occupied properties. Hamilton County homeowners must have established connection to residence and be the applicant’s primary residence (second homes, rental properties, Airbnb, and other similar type rentals are not eligible for assistance). Homeowners must have a household income under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL):

Before You Apply

Please be prepared to attach the following verification documents to your application:

If you are unable to attach all the required verifications to the application, you can e-mail them to hamil_caresfunding@jfs.ohio.gov

After You Apply

Mortgage Vendor Registration

Your Mortgage lender must be a registered vendor. Ask your lender to register at: https://www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org/pdf/Finance/vendorregform.pdf  

Submit Verifications

If a Hamilton County caseworker contacts you and requests additional information, a checklist will be e-mailed to you with a list of documentation still required.

If you are unable to attach all the required documents to the application, you can e-mail them to hamil_caresfunding@jfs.ohio.gov. 

APPLY – https://erap.hcjfs.org/

EMAIL – Hamil_caresfunding@jfs.ohio.gov

CALL – (513) 946-1000 option 1 for status updates on submitted applications
Those seeking information about the status of their CARES/ERAP application; the status of a payment to a landlord, mortgage or utility company; changing a current application; or sending missing documents, can contact the Hamilton County Job and Family Services team at (513) 946-1000, option 1.

The United Way of Greater Cincinnati Care Coordination team can help with the online Rent/Mortgage/Utility application. Call 211 and request to speak to a Care Coordinator or text 211CARES to 51555. You can also visit their website: United Way 211 Helpline – Get Help | United Way of Greater Cincinnati (uwgc.org)

Save the Dream Ohio provides assistance to Ohio homeowners facing foreclosure and/or who cannot afford to pay their mortgage payments or other related housing costs as a result of economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is administered by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, and is expected to continue through September 30, 2025 or until the available funding is depleted.

Eligibility

• Must be a homeowner with primary residence in Ohio.
• Meet income eligibility equal to or less than 150% of area median income. Graph below.
• Must have experience a financial hardship due to COVID after January 21, 2020.

Before you Apply

Please be prepared with the following verification documents:

• Mortgage statement
• Most recent tax return or most recent 30 days of income for all adult household members. If you do not have a tax return: W2, quarterly profit and loss statement, most recent award letters or payment statements. Lump sum payments are excluded. Full list here – https://savethedream.ohiohome.org/resources.html

APPLY – https://savethedream.ohiohome.org/

EMAIL – SavetheDream@ohiohome.org

CALL – (888) 404-4674

Hamilton County Commissioners developed a Senior Utility Assistance and Home Repair Program to help eligible older adults with utility bills and home repairs. Hamilton County residents age 60 and older, who do not qualify for other assistance programs, can apply online or by calling (513) 743-9000.

Who is Eligible:

• Hamilton County residents ages 60 and over
• Older adult or other family member in the household currently paying the utility bill
• Ineligible for other assistance programs
• Household income 175%-300% of poverty:

APPLY – https://www.help4seniors.org/hamilton-county-senior-utility-assistance-program-2

DOWNLOAD – Hamilton County Senior Utility Assistance and Home Repair Program Application & Flyer

MAIL TO – Council on Aging, Attn: Cherry Bartlett, 4601 Malsbary Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242

CALL – (513) 743-9000

The State of Ohio has designated a portion of the CARES funding to help low-income Ohioans who have fallen behind on their rent, mortgage, and water bills through the Ohio Home Relief Grant (OHRG). Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CHCCAA) is administering the OHRG in Hamilton County.

VISIT – https://www.cincy-caa.org/what-we-do/supportive-services/

Winter brings colder weather, which can bring higher energy bills. To help prepare customers for higher energy prices this year, Duke Energy has created a comprehensive Winter Bill Fact Sheet. It explains why energy bills are increasing, includes helpful energy-saving tips and lists a wide variety of programs that are available to assist customers that are in need.

VISIT – www.duke-energy.com/winterbills

INFO – Winter Bill Fact Sheet

Eligible residents can enroll to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. The Affordable Connectivity Program will provide a discount of up to $30 per month towards broadband service for eligible households.

Per the FCC’s website, https://www.fcc.gov/acp, the following are eligibility requirements (if a member of household meets one of the criteria):

• Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
• Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

VISIT – https://www.fcc.gov/acp

APPLY – https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/

Greater Cincinnati Water Works is announcing a new, quick and easy way to set up payment plans for past due charges on water and utility bills! Customers can access PromisePay to enroll by mobile phone or computer. PromisePay offers automatic payments (via e-check, credit/debit, and cash apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo) and text reminders. Customers will not be charged transaction fees for this service.

VISIT – https://gcww.promise-pay.com/

INFO – PromisePay Flyer (Español)

QRCode – PromisePay QRCode

Metropolitan Sewer District of Great Cincinnati offers a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) to help low-income senior citizens pay their sewer bills.
Eligible applicants receive a 25% discount on their monthly sewer bill (including both the minimum base charge and the commodity charge). The estimated savings is $120 or more per year.

Eligibility

A sewer discount can only be offered to low-income seniors who meet specific eligibility requirements related to age, income, and home ownership. The eligibility requirements for the CAP are:

• 65 years of age or older
• Own and live in the residence for which they are paying the MSD sewer bill
• Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of no more than $34,600 for tax year 2021. MAGI is Ohio Adjusted Gross Income plus any business income that has been deducted in computing the Ohio Adjusted Gross Income (OAGI). This applies to the combined income of the applicant and their spouse.

APPLY – https://msdgc.org/programs/customer-assistance-program-cap/

The Help Center for Hamilton County Municipal Court in Ohio provides people with education, information, and limited legal advice. You can visit their website, call the number below, or you can visit in person located in room 113 of the Hamilton County Courthouse at 1000 Main Street.

VISIT – https://cincyhelpcenter.org/

CALL – 513.946.5650

The Hamilton County Law Library provides legal research, reference, and library services to Hamilton County and to the municipal corporations, townships, and courts within the county. The Law Library is open to the public for self-help during its regular business hours. The information provided is not a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney. For legal assistance, consider the following organizations listed on the Law Library’s website.

VISIT – https://libguides.hamilton-co.org/c.php?g=392898&p=2668922

INFO – Law Library Legal Resources Flyer

HOME’s mission is to eliminate unlawful discrimination in housing in the Greater Cincinnati area. HOME advocates and enforces housing regulations for all protected classes and promotes stable, integrated communities. They provide tenant advocacy and ensure fair housing compliance.

CONTACT – https://homecincy.org/contact-us/

CALL – 513.721.4663

Legal Aid represents low income people in evictions cases in seven counties in Southwest Ohio. Tenants needing assistance should call their main number 513.241.9400 and ask for “housing intake.” Tenants who have court papers should call our intake line as soon as they are served. Tenants who do not yet have eviction court papers, but who need rental assistance due to COVID or other reasons, should first contact one of our community partners to apply for rental assistance.

VISIT – https://www.lascinti.org/get-help/covid-information/ – Help and information during the pandemic

VISIT – https://lascinti.org/what-we-do/practice-groups/housing-consumer/ – Housing & consumer information

CALL – 513.241.9400 (ask for “housing intake”)

Hamilton County Commissioners approved a $3 million expansion of the Shelter Diversion Program, which provides critical support to families who are at immediate risk of being homeless. Using American Rescue Plan funds, Commissioners are building upon their commitment to support the recovery of Hamilton County families from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county is contracting with Strategies to End Homelessness, which will coordinate the expansion with partners including Bethany House, the Freestore Foodbank, Talbert House, and Found House Interfaith Housing Network.

Are you looking for homeless shelters near you? We’re here to help. First, call our CAP Line at (513) 381-SAFE (7233). The Central Access Point (CAP) is a centralized intake system for families and individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless. Begin your journey, from shelter, to hope and stability. If you are currently homeless or experiencing a housing crisis, please call. Our Intake Specialists will gather information about your situation and help place you in a shelter or provide a referral to a partner agency for help.

VISIT – https://www.strategiestoendhomelessness.org/get-help/

EMAIL – info@end-homelessness.org

CALL – (513) 381-SAFE (7233), Central Access Point (CAP Line)

Offering safe, stable and supportive housing to women and children in crisis and transition in greater Cincinnati.

VISIT – https://stlydiashouse.org/

APPLY – https://stlydiashouse.org/apply/

CALL – (513) 549-7752