What is the Ohio hardship program?

Asked by: Anjali Wintheiser  |  Last update: August 11, 2025
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) also referred to as Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance is an income-based program offered to assist families that are experiencing a temporary financial hardship and help to place them on a path to self-sufficiency.

What is the hardship relief program in Ohio?

The state of Ohio was awarded $280 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury Homeowner Assistance Fund through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide assistance to eligible Ohio homeowners who are facing foreclosure or cannot afford to pay their mortgage, utility bills, or other housing-related costs as a ...

Who is eligible for Ohio cash assistance?

Who is Eligible? To receive cash assistance, single-parent households are required to work or be involved in specifically defined work activities at least 30 hours per week; adults in two-parent households have a 35 hour requirement. Receipt of cash assistance is limited to three years.

What is $500 energy assistance in Ohio?

Summer electric assistance available for low-income households. Help is available for eligible Ohioans struggling to cope with the summer heat. The Summer Crisis Program provides eligible customers of regulated utilities a benefit of up to $500, while customers of unregulated utilities may receive a benefit up to $800.

What is the hardship relief program?

One such initiative is the IRS hardship program, officially known as Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status. This program provides temporary relief for taxpayers who are experiencing significant financial difficulties by pausing collection activities until their financial situation improves.

What Is Ohio Hardship Program? - The Midwest Guru

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Who is eligible for hardship grants?

Personal Hardship Grants Now Accepting Applications

Financial assistance is available to low-income individuals and families to assist with regular monthly bills. Grants of up to $1,500 are available to veterans and military service members undergoing financial hardship.

How do you qualify for a hardship?

To be eligible for a hardship withdrawal, you must have an immediate and heavy financial need that cannot be fulfilled by any other reasonably available assets. This includes other liquid investments, savings, and other distributions you are eligible to take from your 401(k) plan.

Who is eligible for utility bill forgiveness in Ohio?

Your household income must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines to be eligible for PIPP or the HEAP winter or summer crisis programs. Your local energy assistance provider can help you calculate your total household income.

How long does it take to get approved for energy assistance?

For the Regular Benefit under LIHEAP, the approval process typically takes around 30 days, with payments being issued within 15 days of approval.

What is the Ohio emergency cash grant?

Ohio Works First (cash assistance) is temporary assistance available to families to help pay for immediate needs while the adults of the family prepare and search for jobs. Ohio Works First is a work program.

How long does it take to get approved for cash assistance in Ohio?

Click here for instructions on how to apply for cash assistance. It may take 30 days to complete your case. A Notice of Action will be mailed to you once the case has been completed.

What questions do they ask for cash assistance?

You can expect to answer questions like:
  • What is your full name and birthday?
  • What is your Social Security number?
  • Where do you live? (You can still qualify if you are houseless.)
  • Are you a U.S. citizen? (You may still qualify if you are a noncitizen.)
  • What is your monthly income?

How can I get money if I'm struggling?

Facing financial hardship
  1. Food assistance. ...
  2. Unemployment benefits. ...
  3. Welfare benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ...
  4. Emergency housing assistance. ...
  5. Rental assistance. ...
  6. Help with utility bills. ...
  7. Government home repair assistance programs.

What is the hardship scheme?

Hardship Scheme

This scheme covers medical card holders for items prescribed by the Doctor that are not usually reimbursable by the HSE. We must make an application to the HSE on the patient's behalf and seek approval before we can dispense items on the hardship scheme.

What is the Ohio Second Chance Grant?

The Ohio Department of Education's (ODHE) Second Chance Grant Program is a $2,000 grant available to disenrolled students wishing to renew their pursuit of a college degree by re-enrolling at a qualifying institution, such as The Ohio State University.

Can utilities be shut off in Ohio?

Ohio has its own set of state disconnection regulations and laws, and such rules are made to assist those in need and who sometimes cannot pay monthly utility bills. It is often illegal for utility companies to shut off its services, especially during months with extreme weather.

What is the difference between heap and pipp in Ohio?

HEAP is a federally funded program that provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their energy bills. The Percentage of Income Payment Plus (PIPP) Plan is an extended payment arrangement with regulated utilities based on income.

Does Ohio have energy assistance program?

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally-funded program available to help eligible customers in Ohio with their heat bills. The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Service.

How do you prove hardship?

Depending on your situation, you might submit documents such as an unemployment notice, medical bills, military orders or a divorce decree. It's also helpful to provide verification of all sources of income (paystubs, W-2s and 1099s) as well as account statements to show your current financial status.

What is the hardship rule?

For a distribution from a 401(k) plan to be on account of hardship, it must be made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need of the employee and the amount must be necessary to satisfy the financial need. The need of the employee includes the need of the employee's spouse or dependent. ( Reg.

What is considered a hardship reason?

In general, you may be considered to have an immediate financial need for any of the following reasons: Medical expenses. Purchase of a principal residence. Expenses for certain repairs due to damage to your home. Post-secondary education costs.

How much hardship fund can I get?

We work out a daily rate for your hardship payment. This is 60% of the amount of your sanction. The amount of hardship payment you can get is the daily rate multiplied by the number of days the sanction lasts. You can only get one hardship payment in each assessment period.

How to claim financial hardship?

Financial hardship
  1. Ask your lender for financial hardship assistance.
  2. Explain your situation.
  3. Consider financial hardship options.
  4. Make your financial hardship arrangement.
  5. Get more help if you need it.
  6. Up next in Managing debt.

Who can help me with money urgently?

You can get emergency money through a personal loan, credit card cash advance or payday loan. However, some of these options aren't ideal and can cost you a lot of money. You can also consider asking family or friends for money, using a 0% intro APR credit card or tapping into a HELOC.