The Ohio Benefit Bank is a web-enabled, counselor-assisted program being implemented by The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and used by faith-based and community groups and public agencies at sites across Ohio, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Benefit Bank sites allow low and moderate-income Ohioans to file electronically their federal and state income tax returns, while simultaneously finding out their eligibility, and completing applications, for tax credits and benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, food stamps, child care subsidies, home energy assistance and children’s health care insurance.
The Ohio Benefit Bank not only helps those in need but has a strong economic impact across Ohio. Read more (PDF)
The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks has trained over 4,000 Benefit Bank counselors and has established more than 900 Benefit Bank sites. These organizations are in turn using their staff and volunteers, and partnering with public agencies in their counties, to provide outreach and access to Benefit Bank services. Faith-based and community groups integrate the Benefit Bank into their existing programs (for example, into case management) to assist clients in moving out of poverty and in to self-sufficiency.
“The Ohio Benefit Bank provides weekly reporting of results, available by counselor and site, groups of sites, and for the State, and anonymous information about the clients served. Throughout all 88 counties of Ohio, The Ohio Benefit Bank has assisted Ohioans in claiming over $120 million in tax credits and benefits. The work of the faith-based and community organizations and public agencies through the Benefit Bank also stimulates economic growth, through the infusion of monies from tax credits and public benefits, most of which are spent in local communities.
The support of the State of Ohio – for programming, maintenance, training and outreach – will expand the use of The Ohio Benefit Bank by faith-based and community organizations and their staff and volunteers, in partnership with public agencies, to bring more help in credits and benefits to Ohio families and communities struggling with poverty and job loss. Thank you to Governor Ted Strickland, the Ohio General Assembly and numerous funders and community partners for your support of The Ohio Benefit Bank and to the Ohioans we serve!
For more information about establishing an Ohio Benefit Bank site, arranging for counselor training, sponsoring clinics and promoting Benefit Bank outreach in your community, please call The Ohio Benefit Bank hotline number at (800) 648-1176.
Meet the Benefit Bankers! Watch the video to learn more.
OBB and ODRC
In continued effort between the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, the Ohio Benefit Bank and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to help serve those clients, we would like to share the information below. Click here to visit the ODRC Reentry Resource Center website.
M.U.S.C.L.E. is a centralized guide for Department staff, offenders, families, and community partners that provides assistance in locating community resources and information to foster strong, safe communities.
The Reentry Resource Guide is a collection of county by county fact sheets that provides vital information to assist offenders' reentry into society. Areas include social services, human services, local, county, state, and federal agencies, and other service agencies such as libraries, substance abuse programs, mental health counseling, veterans services commissions, educational opportunities, faith-based agencies, food, clothing, and job training and placement.
Would you like to become a volunteer? Below is a link to the PDF volunteer form:
You could be a vital part of community-based efforts to help individuals and families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits and benefits. You could help low and moderate-income Ohioans move toward self-sufficiency by service as a Benefit Bank counselor. Training sessions (one day for benefits, one day for taxes) are being scheduled across Ohio. Community Trainers are located in every region of the State and will conduct training sessions at times and in locations convenient to you. For more information on available positions please click here.
2) Establish an OBB Site
You could work with your place of worship or business or with a faith-based or community organization to establish an Ohio Benefit Bank site to help low and moderate-income Ohioans. Each site can generate as much as $650,000 in credits and benefits which, when spent in local communities, generate large multiplier effects and boost local economies. Regional Coordinators work with organizations to help them establish sites and arrange training's for counselors.
3) Sponsor an OBB Clinic
You could work with organizations in your community to sponsor clinics to provide tax, food stamp, health care, child care or home energy assistance -- or any combination of these. Ohio Benefit Bank field staff, working with trained counselors in your area, are available to set up these temporary clinics to meet needs in your your community. Click here for more information about hosting a successful Benefit Bank clinic in your community.
4) Organize outreach efforts
You could with local faith-based and community groups and government officials to promote free income tax and public benefits assistance using The Ohio Benefit Bank as an outreach tool. Regional Coordinators are available to speak to organizations interested in sponsoring sites or recruiting counselors. These Coordinators work with local partners to build outreach efforts.
5) Promote the Ohio Benefit Bank
You could also distribute professionally-prepared, multi-color promotional materials within your organization or in your community. You may view, download and print promotional materials concerning all OBB services, and about specific work supports such as child care subsidies, food stamps, health insurance, home energy and income tax assistance, including tax refund outreach posters. You may also order copies of OBB promotional materials and OBB tax materials.
6) Tell us about your experience
Let us know what you and your clients think about the whole Ohio Benefit Bank Experience to help us better help you and those you serve. This form is an interactive Pdf. that can be filled out on line or printed then submitted. Thank you for your time and help.
