Ohio 211
United Way / Ohio 211
One number for local help with food, housing, utilities, health care and other needs. Open 24 hours a day.
Next step: Dial 211 and say what you need and what county you are in.
Bills, food and housing
Who to call for groceries, WIC, the electric bill, rent and a safe place to stay.
Find homeless services and shelter in your county
Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO)
Each Ohio county has one front door for shelter and housing help. COHHIO lists the right number to call for every county.
Next step: Open the Ohio housing resource guide and choose your county. If you are fleeing abuse, call a domestic violence program first.
Help with heating and electric bills (HEAP)
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
HEAP helps households at or below 175% of the federal poverty level pay utility bills. Crisis programs can help when you have a shutoff notice.
Next step: Call to be connected to your local energy assistance provider, who can take your application by phone or in person. The state's online application works on a computer only, not on a phone or tablet.
Food, cash and Medicaid: one application
Ohio Benefits
One application covers SNAP (food), Ohio Works First cash assistance, Medicaid and child care help. Your county Job and Family Services office decides eligibility.
Next step: Apply online or by phone. Fill in as much as you can; you can add documents later.
Call 844-640-64461-844-640-OHIOWebsite
WIC: food for pregnancy, babies and children under 5
Ohio Department of Health
WIC provides healthy food, formula help, breastfeeding support and health screenings for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5.
Next step: Call the Help Me Grow helpline to find your county WIC clinic and make an appointment.