The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps/EBT) helps eligible low-income Ohioans stretch their food budgets and buy healthy food.

You may qualify for benefits if your household's gross monthly income (before tax and deductions) is at or under 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

Some households may qualify if they have incomes over the limit if someone in the household is elderly or disabled.

Learn more:

• SNAP fact sheet

• Other food programs fact sheet

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online at Benefits.Ohio.gov or submit a Request for Cash, Food and Medical Assistance to your County Department of Job and Family Services .

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, contact your County Department of Job and Family Services .

Publicly funded child care is available to help eligible parents/caretakers with child care costs while they engage in work, education, or job training.

The program provides access to the early care and education experiences children need to succeed in school.

It is available for children from birth through age 13 for:

• Child care

• Preschool

• Before- and after- school care

• Summer care

Eligibility:

• Check to see if you may be eligible by completing the

  Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment

Learn more:

• Publicly funded child care fact sheet

• Frequently asked questions

• How to find child care and apply

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, contact your County Department of Job and Family Services .

In December 2018, Ohio was awarded the Preschool Development Birth through Five Grant (PDG-B-5). As part of this grant Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) in partnership with Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Ohio Department of Education (ODE), and Ohio Department of Health (ODH), have designed and developed the Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment tool. This tool was designed to assist families with determining potential eligibility for all of Ohio's early childhood services and to help them make an informed decision. The tool also includes links to summary information and guidance on how to find, apply for, and contact each program.

The programs include:

• Early Childhood Education Grant

• Early Head Start

• Head Start

• Help Me Grow Early Intervention

• Help Me Grow Home Visiting

• Preschool Special Education

• Publicly Funded Child Care

Eligibility:

• Check to see if you may be eligible by completing the

  Early Childhood Services Eligibility Self-Assessment

Ohio Works First (OWF) is the financial assistance portion of the state's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides cash benefits to needy families for up to 36 months.

Those who might be eligible include families, minor children living with a guardian, and pregnant women.

For more information, see the OWF Fact Sheet .

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online at Benefits.Ohio.gov or submit a Request for Cash, Food and Medical Assistance to your County Department of Job and Family Services .

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, contact your County Department of Job and Family Services .

The Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program provides free child car seats to eligible low income families. The program is available in all Ohio counties.

For more information or to contact the program in your county, call 800-755-GROW (4769).

Learn more about the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes Program

Not all women who get pregnant are ready to raise a child.

Sometimes they see no option except to abandon the baby.

Safe Havens allow a birth parent to leave an infant (up to 30 days old) with:

• A medical worker in a hospital;

• A medical worker at a fire department or other emergency service organization; or

• A peace officer at a law enforcement agency.

Ohio's Safe Havens for Newborns

Preventive health care and support services designed to supplement regular obstetrical care are available to all Medicaid eligible pregnant women. Pregnant women can be temporarily enrolled in Medicaid while their applications are being processed.

Learn more about Ohio Medicaid's pregnancy related services

Visit Benefits.Ohio.gov to check eligibility and apply.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, contact the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 800-324-8680 or your County Department of Job and Family Services .

Early Head Start provides free learning and development services to children from birth up to age three and to pregnant women from low income families.

Eligibility is generally based on family income at or below the poverty level. Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (SSI or TANF ) are eligible regardless of income.

Children eligible for special education and related services, or early intervention services, as determined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, are prioritized for enrollment.

How to apply

Your local Early Head Start program can help you with understanding local requirements for enrolling a child. They will answer questions, provide you with required forms, and tell you what documents you should bring with you to apply.

Due to limited government funding, there are not enough spaces for all eligible children. If there is not a space for you and the child, ask the program to put your family on the waiting list.

How to find your local Early Head start program

You may locate programs in your area by using the Head Start Locator or by calling 1-866-763-6481.

Health threats to children exposed to tobacco smoke are serious. For unborn children, the health threats are severe. A smoke-free household is the best way to ensure a healthy family.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for help.

Learn more at Ohio's Tobacco Program

Learn more about how to protect yourself and your baby from the harmful effects of lead.

• Information for pregnant women

• View information for homeowners and renters

• Check to see if you live in a hazardous property

Breastfeeding offers many benefits, including:

• Saving time and money

• Being easier on baby's tummy

• Keeping mom and baby close

Learn more about breastfeeding

Each County Department of Job and family Services offers Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) services to provide work supports and other services to help eligible low-income parents/caretakers overcome immediate barriers to employment.

Benefits and services are available short-term during a crisis or time of need. For more information, see your county's PRC plan.

Learn more:

• PRC fact sheet

• County PRC plans

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online at Benefits.Ohio.gov or submit a Request for Cash, Food and Medical Assistance to your County Department of Job and Family Services .

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, contact your County Department of Job and Family Services .

The Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) helps low-income Ohioans ages 16 to 24 prepare for and find meaningful employment.

Learn more about CCMEP

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, contact your County Department of Job and Family Services