SNAP Benefit help!

The City of Columbus published a webpage in response to the government shutdown and the temporary suspension of SNAP benefits.

1. • On this webpage, you can find information about a variety of resources (https://www.columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/SNAP-Response-Plan).

   • And on this webpage, you can find information specifically about food assistance resources. The website has lists of food pantries according to what side of town they are on (https://www.columbus.gov/Government/Mayors-Office/SNAP-Response-Plan/Find-Food-Resources).

Emergency Assistance/Utility Assistance/Home Goods

(Resources taken from Cap4kids, https://cap4kids.org/columbus/, please see their website for more sources.)

• Franklin County Emergency Assistance:

  • • provides one-time financial assistance to aid with emergency situations. You must have at least one minor child or a pregnant person living in your home and have a gross household income at or below 165% of the federal poverty level to qualify for PRC one-time emergency assistance. Applicants can request aid for more than one emergency (such as overdue rent and utility bills) up to a maximum of $1,500.  https://jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/emergency-assistance-(prc)

• AEP Ohio & Dollar Energy Fund Neighbor to Neighbor Program:

  • • Provides help for electric bills to people with a low income who have tried all other resources (HEAP and PIPP). To qualify, households must have disconnected electric service and must have made a sincere effort to pay their electric bill in the last 90 days. Go online to use their income calculator to find out whether you qualify. Click to find an agency in your area that will help you with the application process.
      (800) 683-7036 dollarenergy.org
      AEP Ohio: aepohio.com/info/community/paymentAssistancePrograms/NeighborToNeighbor.aspx

    • AEP Ohio Payment Assistance: Customers who have received a disconnect notice or are unable to pay their electric bill can call the toll-free number to set up a payment extension or a discount plan. Customers who have special needs or medical conditions can request a medical certification form.
      (800) 672-2231
      aepohio.com/save/residential/payments

• Central Community House:

  • • A neighborhood-based community center that serves the near east and near south neighborhoods of Columbus, Ohio. They offer soft skills training, employment assistance, financial education training and emergency housing programs to help access rent or mortgage assistance, food nutrition programs, utility services, health care, parenting workshops and more. Additionally they offer afterschool programs, summer programs, and child care for ages six-weeks through five-years-old. https://www.cchouse.org/programs
      1150 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205, (614) 252-3157.

• City of Columbus Department Utilities Discount Programs: 

  • • Offers a utility discount for water and sewer charges for people with a low income. Seniors age 60 and older with limited income may qualify for a discount on electricity and/or water bills. Go online to complete the application offered in both Spanish and English. 111 North Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, (614) 645-8276
      columbus.gov/utilities/customers/Utility-Discount-Programs

• Columbus Cake Celebrations

  • • Every child deserves a birthday cake. This group of volunteers bakes / buys and delivers cakes and cupcakes free of charge to Columbus children on their birthday. Parents and guardians can submit a request for their children on the website. The group provides, on average, 100 birthday cakes per month to Columbus area kids.
      columbuscakecelebrations.com

• Furniture Bank of Central Ohio:

  1. • Provides free furniture to central Ohio residents struggling to furnish their homes as a result of economic and other significant life challenges. Furniture With A Heart Thirft Store, a social enterprise of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio carries gently used furniture, household goods, clothing and sporting goods. Referral needed.  furniturebankcoh.org
       Thrift Store: furniturebankcoh.org/thrift-stores

• Impact Community Action: 

  • • Provides income-based case management services, emergency assistance services, financial services, computer literacy and workforce development programs. Most of the programs are for Franklin County residents living at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Visit the website or call for more information.

• Emergency assistance services: household items, burial support, rent/mortgage, transportation, water and energy (HEAP) assistance, food giveaways during the summer

• Empowerment services: computer classes, financial services, re-entry program, programs for foster youth and youth, ages 14-24 not enrolled in school and are not employed (AMP program), workforce development/employment, vocational training and certification, mobile medical unit in partnership with the Breathing Association

• Energy assistance services: free home repairs through their Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and energy efficient lighting and refrigerator/freezer replacement through their AEP Program

• 711 Southwood Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43207, General: (614) 252-2799, Emergency Assistance: (866) 747-1038, AMP (Achieve More & Prosper): (614) 453-1709 or (614) 233-2671, impactca.org.

Medical 

(Resources taken from Cap4kids, https://cap4kids.org/columbus/,  please see their website for more housing resources.)

• Columbus Public Health (CPH) Resource Lists

  • • These neighborhood resource lists are extremely helpful in finding resources in and around your neighborhood. They provide detailed listings of free and low cost health care, vision care, dental care, prescription help, food pantries, transportation, job help, transportation, pregnancy resources and much more. They are updated frequently and reviewed by the Columbus Public Health social work team. Please note that CPH does not provide direct monetary assistance, but these lists are helpful in finding community agencies that do provide this assistance.

      1. • Health Care (Free Clinics, Dental, Vision & Women’s Health) 

         • Emergency Resources (Housing, Financial, Food, Utilities, Safety & Clothing)

         • Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens

         • Immigration & Refugee Resources 

         • Job Help (Unemployment Compensation, Looking for a Job, Online Searches) 

         • Pregnancy Resources (Baby Supplies, Prenatal Care, Smoking Cessation, Parenting Education)

         • Prescription Help (Reduced Cost Prescriptions, Discount Cards, Medicaid Info) 

240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Columbus Public Health Neighborhood Social Work Helpline: (614) 645-6807
www.columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/health-resources-lists

• Franklin County Public Health (FCOH) Immunization Clinic

  • • Offers vaccine clinics and information on vaccines for children and adults. Vaccines are available at a low cost (or sliding fee scale) for children, and no one will be turned away due to an inability to pay. Visit the website for their clinic schedule and list of clinics that offer travel vaccines. Appointments are required.
      280 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, (614) 525-3719, myfcph.org/shots

• Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) Care Connection (School-based Health Services):

  1. • Provide additional access to health care at your child’s school. The services provided are not meant to replace your pediatrician or family doctor. Care Connection programs include: Pediatric Services, Mental Health Counseling Services, Mobile Care Center, School-Based Asthma Therapy (SBAT) and Wheelchair Clinic. Visit the website for the list of participating schools and additional contact information. nationwidechildrens.org/care-connection

     • Pediatric Services: (614) 355-2590 or contact your school nurse

     • Mobile Care Center: (614) 355-2590

     • School-Based Asthma: (614) 355-2590 or contact your school nurse

• Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) Dental Clinic: 

• • • Provides routine and emergency walk-in dental care for babies, children and teens, including those with special health care needs. They offer sliding scale fees for those who cannot afford a private dentist. They accept many insurances as well, including Medicaid.
      380 Butterfly Gardens Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215
      (614) 722-5650
      nationwidechildrens.org/dentistry

• Ohio Association of Free Clinics (OAFC) 

  • • Offers a list of Ohio Free Clinics. Free clinic services vary, but may include primary care, prescription assistance, dental, vision, behavioral health and other specialties.
      88 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, (614) 914-6458, ohiofreeclinics.org/who-we-are/clinic-map-test.html

• Ohio Medicaid Healthy Start & Healthy Families: 

  • • Provides free and low-cost health care coverage to families, children (birth through age 20) and pregnant women. Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, pregnancy services, vision, dental and mental health services. Go online for the exact income guidelines.

• Healthy Start includes Medicaid and CHIP programs. The Medicaid program is available to children (up to age 19) and pregnant women in families with a low income.

• Healthy Families is a Medicaid program available to families with children (younger than age 19) and a low income.

50 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Medicaid Consumer Hotline: (800) 324-8680
medicaid.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/medicaid/families-and-individuals/citizen-programs-and-initiatives/children-families-and-women

Transportation

(Resources taken from Cap4kids.org)

Ohio Insurance Managed Care Plans (MCP) Medicaid Hotlines

In Ohio, most individuals who have Medicaid must join a managed care plan (MCP) to receive their health care. These plans provide a toll-free medical advice phone line that is open 24 hours a day, help coordinating care for individuals with special health care needs, annual physical exams and sick and well care. Ohio has a general hotline for advice about managed care plans.

Medicaid Hotline: (800) 324-8680

• AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio Member Services: (833) 764-7700
  amerihealthcaritasoh.com/

• Anthem Member Services: (800)331-1476
  anthem.com/medicaid/

• Buckeye Member Services: (866) 246-4358
  buckeyehealthplan.com/members/medicaid

• CareSource Member Services: (800) 488-0134
  caresource.com/oh/plans/medicaid

• Humana healthy horizons: (877) 856-5702
  humana.com/medicaid/ohio

• Molina Eligibility Questions: (866) 480-7852
  Member Services: (800) 642-4168
  www.meetmolina.com/oh-medicaid

• United Healthcare Eligibility Questions: (855) 957-5912
  Member Services: (800) 895-2017
  uhccommunityplan.com

AmeriHealth Transportation Services

Members who have Medicaid or Medicare through AmeriHealth who have an appointment that is over 30 miles away can call Member Services to schedule a free ride to health appointments. If traveling less than 30 miles from your home, you can get transportation for certain services through the local county department of job and family services (CDJFS) Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) program.

• Members can call directly 48 hours (2 business days) in advance (833) 664-6368 or (833) 764-7700 to schedule transportation.

amerihealthcaritasoh.com/member/eng/benefits/transportation.aspx
Service County Directory: jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm

Bikes for All People (B4AP)

Provides affordable access to bicycles and cycling-related resources to those who rely on bikes as their sole means of transportation. They offer new and pre-owned bikes, parts, tools and cycling gear, free maintenance classes, an open repair shop and group rides. They also accept donations.
934 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 670-8685
bikes4allpeople.com

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Mainstream

Offers a shared-ride service for people with disabilities, and rides must be scheduled in advance. This handicapped and wheelchair accessible van can provide door-to-door service for eligible customers. Customers must complete the online application and have it signed by a physician to get the COTA ADA card.

• COTA Pass Sales Office
  33 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
  (614) 272-3033 or (614) 272-3030 TTY

• COTA Mobility Services Facility
  1330 Fields Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
  (614) 275-5828

cota.com
Mobility Services: cota.com/services/cota-mainstream
Discount Fairs: cota.com/riding-cota/discount-fares

Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services (JFS) Transportation Services

Transportation services are provided for non-emergency medical appointments for children and adults with Medicaid. Families may use the transportation services multiple times once they are approved.
314 North Wilson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43204
Transportation Unit: (614) 233-2381
jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/medical-support-services

Free Charity Cars

Provides free donated vehicles to struggling families to assist them in their transition from dependency to self-sufficiency.  Free Charity Cars operates the largest free non-profit car-donation / distribution program in the nation and has awarded over 9000 free vehicles nationwide. For more information, visit their website.
freecharitycars.org

Mercy Medical Angels

A non-profit charity, dedicated to providing non-emergency, long-distance ground transportation to financially disadvantaged, ambulatory patients who are traveling for treatment. They use the following resources for assisting patients: gas cards, bus, train and airline tickets. Trips within a local area or community is typically not handled, but exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. Visit the website for contact information.
4620 Haygood Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455
mercymedical.org

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)

Offers information and local resources about local biking events and trails, bicycle safety, promotes bicycling in central Ohio. They also provide a Franklin County Home Repair program low- and moderate-income homeowners, home energy efficiency and safety services at no cost to income-eligible homeowners and renters, and information on air quality.
111 Liberty Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-2663 or (800) 750-0750 TTY
Home Repair: (614) 233-4171
Free Home Energy Efficiency & Safety Services: (614) 621-1171
morpc.org

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Their website provides a lot of information about car safety ratings, choosing a car seat, how to find out about recalls, airbag information, reporting vehicle theft, car seat laws, finding a car seat inspection site and a lot more. With your child’s date of birth, height and weight, you can click on the link below to figure out what car seat to choose.
1200 New Jersey Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20590
(888) 327-4236 or (800) 424-9153 TTY
Car Seat Finder Tool: nhtsa.gov