Grants for Disabled People in Ohio

In Ohio, there are 2,626,873 adults with disabilities. This equates to 28 percent or one percent of adults in Ohio having a specific functional impairment. In Ohio, the average healthcare cost for a person with a disability is $17,732. 

All Ohioans are entitled to a rich, complete life filled with opportunity and accomplishment. Ohio is pleased to be a disability inclusion state, with resources to assist families and individuals of all ages in receiving the care they require, achieving the best degree of independence possible, and actively participating in their communities. 

State Assistance for Disabled People in Ohio

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

Ohio agency Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) empowers Ohioans with disabilities via employment, disability determination, and independence. The objective that links all parts of OOD is independence for Ohioans with physical or mental disabilities. The agency collaborates with businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to create tailored employment strategies for Ohioans with disabilities.

OOD’s skilled and professional team assists Ohio businesses in recruiting and retaining workers with disabilities. 

In collaboration with the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Division of Disability Determination assesses medical eligibility for Ohioans who petition for Social Security Disability payments (Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income). Read more at https://www.selectmcohio.com/economic-development/partners/p/item/11048/opportunities-for-ohioans-with-disabilities-ood.

Health Assistance For Disabled People in Ohio

Medicaid 

Ohio Medicaid provides a variety of programs to help aged persons and disabled people with medical bills. These programs offer health care coverage that includes primary and acute-care compensation packages and long-term care. Workers with disabilities who are employed may be interested in the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities program.

Proof of income, assets, age or handicap, citizenship or non-citizen status, and other health insurance is necessary when qualifying for this sort of Medicaid. Applicants may appoint an authorized representative to submit their application on their behalf. To learn more, read at  https://www.caresource.com/oh/plans/medicaid/.

Dental Assistance for Disabled People in Ohio

Ohio Partnership To Improve Oral health through access to Needed Services (OPTIONS)

Dental OPTIONS is a service provided through a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Dental Association that connects qualified, low-income, uninsured persons in Ohio with volunteer dentists.

The Ohio Department of Health runs the Dental OPTIONS Program in collaboration with the Dental Lifeline Network.

Dental OPTIONS provides free treatment to seniors, those with disabilities, and people with life-threatening medical illnesses.

Low-income Ohioans with limited financial resources and severe dental requirements who do not have dental insurance or qualify for Medicaid are eligible for discounted care. Read more at https://www.oda.org/get-involved/in-your-community/volunteer-for-dental-options/.

Social Security for Disabled People in Ohio

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

If you are “insured,” the SSDI program will provide payments to you and selected family members. This means you worked for a long enough period – and recently enough – and paid Social Security taxes on your wages.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The SSI program benefits individuals and children who satisfy the criteria for a qualifying disability and have minimal resources and income.

While these two programs are not the same, the medical requirements are. Monthly payments are provided if you complete the nonmedical standards and have a medical condition projected to continue for at least one year or result in death. Read more at https://www.ssa.gov/disability.

Financial Assistance for Disabled People in Ohio

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

The Disability Financial Assistance Program in Ohio offers a monthly cash benefit to low-income persons with disabilities who do not fulfill all the conditions for assistance from other federal and state programs, such as Supplemental Security Income and Ohio Works First. Eligibility is determined by county employment and family services departments using Ohio Administrative Code standards. 

Disability Financial Assistance (DFA)

The DFA program in Ohio offers a monthly cash benefit to low-income persons with disabilities who do not fulfill all of the conditions for assistance from other state and federal programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Ohio Works First (OWF). Read more at http://djfs.co.seneca.oh.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DFA-cash-assistance.pdf.   

Housing and Rent Assistance for Disabled People in Ohio

Ohio 811 Program 

The Ohio 811 Program provides secure, affordable housing in apartment complexes around Ohio. Staff from the county board serve as referral agents for persons who want to live independently in their flats. The program is intended for severely low-income adults who have a handicap and qualify for Medicaid, and are at least 18 years old but no older than 61 at the time of move-in. To learn more about this program, read at https://oups.org/.

Utility Bill Assistance for Disabled People in Ohio

Public Utility Commission

The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) in Ohio is a federally financed low-income household energy efficiency program. The initiative minimizes the energy usage of low-income households, resulting in more affordable housing for those in greatest need. Their services include insulation of attics, walls, and basements, air leakage reduction using blower doors, heating system repairs and replacements, as well as health and safety examinations.

All measures are offered based on an on-site energy audit and cost-effective guidelines produced using the NEAT computerized energy audit. Individualized client education is a critical component of the approach. The program is available to Ohioans whose family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Read more at https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/ohwxeval.pdf.

Transportation Assistance for Disabled Persons in Ohio

Department of Developmental Disabilities

Mobility Ohio aims to meet unmet transportation requirements highlighted by stakeholders in the Ohio Statewide Transit Needs Study, Transportation Challenges for Ohioans with Disabilities Study, and Ohio Mobility Transformation Study. The vision establishes a single entity to manage all health and human service transportation throughout ODOT’s Human Service Transportation Coordination (HSTC) Regions.

Food Assistance for Disabled People in Ohio

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Food Assistance Program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the United States, assists qualified Ohioans in stretching their food budgets and purchasing healthful food. Food stamps are given electronically using the Ohio Direction Card, which functions similarly to a debit card. Read more at https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.gov/programs/detail/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program.

Assistance for Disabled Veterans 

Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Compensation at the Federal Level

Accident or disability compensation is a monetary reward granted to disabled veterans as a result of an injury or sickness sustained or exacerbated while serving in the military. Other than compensation, a Family Support Network is also devoted to supporting military families. Check about veterans’ financial assistance, healthcare, home loans, legal assistance, license plates, military burials, and Military Injury Relief Fund (MIRF) at https://case.edu/socialwork/centerforebp/resources/ohio-department-veterans-services-odvs.

Charities Assistance for Disabled People in Ohio

Community Fund Management Foundation

The Community Fund Management Foundation, as they were formerly known, was founded in 1993 to manage pooled special needs trusts. Their trusts exist to improve the lives of Ohio citizens with disabilities by safeguarding their eligibility for government assistance. They also support current and future needs through pooled special needs trusts, grants, community education, and other services. Community Fund Management Foundation changed its name to Community Fund Ohio in 2020. Find more information at https://www.communityfundohio.org/. 

Catholic Charities 

They offer resources for raising disability awareness, education, and advocacy. They aim to help people with disabilities participate fully in the Church and society.

The Arc of Ohio

The Arc of Ohio’s objective is to advocate for persons with intellectual and physical disabilities, human rights, dignity, and community involvement. This is accomplished via legislative and social action, information and education, local chapter support, and family participation. Read more at https://www.ccdocle.org/service-areas/disability-services-ministries/resources/disability-services-ministries.