Franklin County Emergency Assistance Program

Franklin County Emergency Assistance Program is sponsored by Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services. Offers one-time assistance to low-income families facing unexpected challenges, including rent, utilities, and auto repairs.

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Services include summer lunches, school supply distribution, job referral assistance, and adopt-a-family programs. They also offer emergency cash assistance for housing, utilities, car repair, or medical needs. PO Box 542, Groveport, Ohio 43125 Columbus Public Health (CPH) Resource Lists These neighborhood resource lists are extremely helpful in finding resources near you.

They provide detailed listings of free and low cost health care, vision care, dental care, prescription help, food pantries, transportation, job help, pregnancy resources and much more. They are updated annually 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.

All lists updated 2025.

Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – French Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – Haitian Creole Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – Somali Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens – Spanish Health Care (Free Clinics, Dental, Vision & Women’s Health) Health Care – Haitian Creole Emergency Resources (Housing, Food, Utilities, Safety & Clothing) Services for Immigrants & Refugees Job Help (Unemployment, Looking for a Job, Online Searches) Pregnancy Resources (WIC, Healthcare, Utilities, Baby Supplies, Diaper Banks, Housing, & Parenting Classes) Prescription Help (Reduced Cost Prescriptions, Discount Programs & Medicaid Info) Mental Health & Substance Use Resources (Crisis Lines, Healthcare, Support Groups, Disposal Box Locations) 240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215 columbus.

gov/Services/Public-Health/Find-Health-Care-Resources/Health-Resources-List Offers financial assistance for families who need financial help due to their child’s medical needs.

Includes help with utility/rent bills, meal expenses while at the hospital, gas expenses for travel to and from hospital or doctor visits, non-covered medical expenses, non-covered supplies that would aid the child in their treatment and funeral expenses related to the death of a child. Go online for additional contact information and to apply for assistance.

PO Box 1981, Pompano Beach, Florida 33061 Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services (JFS) Provides financial, medical, and social service programs in Franklin County. Programs include cash assistance (Ohio Works First, LEAP), help paying for child care, food assistance (Ohio Direction Card/SNAP/EBT, WIC), medical assistance (Medicaid, Healthy Start), and Ohio Means Jobs assistance for job seekers.

Emergency Assistance (PRC) funds may be requested for a maximum of $2,000 to use towards overdue rent and utility bills, car repairs; or damages as a result of a natural disaster, housefire, or flood. Visit the website to view specific eligibility requirements for each program, and to start your application. People outside of Franklin County should visit their local county Department of Job and Family Services.

East Opportunity Center: 1055 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203 Northland Opportunity Center: 1721 Northland Park Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229 West Opportunity Center: 314 North Wilson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43204 Customer Access Center: (844) 640-6446 Medicaid Transportation: (614) 233-2381 Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline: (800) 324-8680 Workforce Development: (614) 212-1800 Ohio Direction EBT Card Assistance: (866) 386-3071 Find Your Local ODJFS Office: jfs.

ohio. gov/about/local-agencies-directory Self-Service Ohio Benefits Portal (Apply Here): ssp. benefits.

ohio. gov/apspssp/ssp. portal Main Website: jfs.

franklincountyohio. gov Franklin County Job & Family Services (ODJFS) Learning, Earning & Parenting (LEAP) A cash assistance program for teen parents up to the age of 20 working on completing a high school diploma or GED. The program includes case management assistance to get help finding childcare, transportation, school-related issues, or other barriers to graduation.

373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 Ohio Law & Rules about LEAP: codes. ohio. gov/oac/5101:1-23-50 jfs.

franklincountyohio. gov/cash-assistance One Dublin (Formerly Welcome Warehouse) Serves individuals and families living in the Dublin City School District who are temporarily in need. Programs include Back-to-School Celebration for free school supplies and Adopt-Family/Adopt-A-Senior for holiday gifts.

Emergency household assistance is available with referral for utilities, medical expenses, or transportation assistance. Transportation assistance can be used for car payments, uber cards, or bus passes. Assistance is not provided for car repairs or rent/housing.

The Mattress Program provides new twin mattresses for free, with sheets, mattress pads, and pillows based on availability. The Community Free Shop provides gently used clothing, personal care items, and household essentials. Families can walk in and shop once every three months, no appointment needed.

Visit the website for shop hours and additional program details.

Mailing Address: 7032 Hospital Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43016 Community Free Shop at Indian Run United Methodist Church: 6305 Brand Road, Dublin, Ohio 43016 Call or text: (614) 726-6958 UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) Provides medical grants for families to pay for healthcare services related to a major medical condition that are not covered by their family’s insurance plan.

Children must be 16 years old or younger, be a U.S. citizen, and have coverage through a commercial health plan to qualify for a grant. Families must meet income eligibility requirements. Applications must be submitted on a computer, not phone or tablet.

Visit the website for a full list of requirements and for application instructions. An official guide to federal information and services. Use the website to find helpful information on topics like how the government works, government benefits, disability services, immigration and citizenship, taxes, legal issues and more.

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