UWGC provides an extensive index of resources available in Hamilton County and the Tri State area for a wide range of needs. Visit their website, https://www.211uwgc.org/ or call 211.

VISIT – https://www.211uwgc.org/

CALL – 211

Can provide assistance with housing, utilities, rapid rehousing, food and clothing.

VISIT – https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/greater-cincinnati/overcome-poverty/

CALL – (513) 762-5660

Provides a range of assistance including food, clothing, furniture, rent, utilities, or beds.

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

CALL – (513) 421-0602

Update

Hamilton County’s federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) stopped accepting applications as of October 17, 2023. Applications submitted before then will be reviewed in the order received.

The review process can take 8-12 weeks due to the high volume of applications. You will be notified when the outcome of your application is reviewed. Please check your email frequently for a checklist requesting documents to verify your circumstances.

Applications that have been reviewed and accepted for further action will require at least the following: 1. Rent ledger, 2. Income statements for all adults (age 18+) in the household, 3. Landlord vendor registration, 4. Hardship statement. If utilities are requested, we need a copy of the entire utility bill.

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 emailed to you with a list of documentation still required.

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

EMAIL – hamil_caresfunding@jfs.ohio.gov

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

PRC is designed to help Hamilton County families overcome immediate employment-related hardships. The goal is to help individuals achieve or maintain self-sufficiency.

PRC Program Eligibility

PRC Applicants must:

• Be at least 18-year-old
• Have at least one dependent child under the age of 18 in the household – or be at least six months pregnant.
• Meet income requirements.
• Be employed or have an employment offer sufficient to meet ongoing needs.

PRC Application Requirements

Documentation of financial eligibility must be submitted with the application. If documentation is not received with the application, it cannot be processed.

• Pay stubs or similar proof of household income received within the last 30 days
• Employment verification letter
• Employment offer letter

Documentation of need must be submitted with the application. If documentation is not received with the application, it cannot be processed.

• Rent: Eviction notice, landlord statement of amount owed, Vendor Registration for completed by the landlord.
• Deposit: verification of coming out of homeless as documented by a referral partner or natural disaster or infestation and a Vendor Registration form completed by the new landlord.
• Utilities: Current bill(s).  Note: Assistance with gas/electric bills is not available during the Winter Heating Season from 10/15/2023 – 03/01/2024.
• Baby Items: Birth verification of a child under 18 months of age or pregnancy statement documenting pregnancy of at least six months.
• School Supplies: Verification of school enrollment.
• Work Uniforms/Scrubs: verification of employment related uniform requirement
• Beds and Bedding: Verification of coming out of homelessness, natural disaster or infestation.
• Gas cards/bus passes: Documentation of employment or a job offer.

Application

APPLY – Prevention, Retention and Contingency Program Application.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) – is a federally funded program designed to help income-eligible Ohioans with their water and wastewater bills. The program runs from Oct. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Eligible clients are those at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), who have been disconnected (or have a disconnection notice), have a past due amount, going into lien, need to establish new service, pay to transfer service or are seeking assistance with a current water bill (no past due balance).

VISIT – HEAP Winter Crisis Program | Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency (cincy-caa.org)

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 Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) helps eligible Ohioans manage their energy bills year-round, offering households affordable monthly payments that help maintain gas and electric services. If your home is heated with gas, you will have a monthly payment of 6% of your household income for your natural gas bill and 6% for your electric bill. If you heat with electric, your monthly payment is 10% of your household income. The state of Ohio subsidizes the balance of your utility bill. There is a minimum monthly payment of $10.00.

VISIT – https://www.cincy-caa.org/what-we-do/supportive-services/utility-assistance-programs/pipp-plus.html

CALL – (513) 685-4478

Hamilton County Commissioners developed a Senior Utility Assistance and Home Repair Program to help eligible older adults with utility bills and home repairs. The program is open to Hamilton County residents age 60 and older, who do not qualify for other assistance programs. Visit Council on Aging’s website for more information.

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

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://www.homecincy.org/contact

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/ – Help and information

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)

HER Cincinnati’s mission is to empower women to break the cycles of poverty, addiction, and human trafficking. We envision a community where all women have the skills and the confidence to thrive. Our program efforts are focused in three areas: Housing, Education, and Recovery Services.

VISIT – https://hercincinnati.org/

Provides limited financial aid for paying rent or utility or security deposits to families facing homelessness. Other support is provided too, such as furniture or referrals. Families facing eviction or homelessness should first call the CAP line at (513) 381-SAFE (7233) to complete an intake assessment.

CALL – (513) 381-SAFE (7233)

Easterseals Redwood Military & Veteran Services Community One Source Hotline provide emergency assistance for military and veterans. We offer assistance with utilities, groceries, and connecting to other veteran services organizations who can help with emergency needs. Contact us at (513) 240-6897 or vetsinfo@eastersealsredwood.org.

VISIT – https://www.eastersealsredwood.org/

CALL – (513) 240-6897

EMAIL – vetsinfo@eastersealsredwood.org