Hamilton County Ohio Social Service News

Election day is approaching! This year the general election is Tuesday, November 3rd. If you or someone you know needs information about how, when, or where to vote, the following information may be helpful. How to verify you are registered to vote: The Hamilton County Board of Elections (Phone: 513-946-8500) […]

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed every October, serves as a crucial reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence and its lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities. This month-long campaign aims to raise public awareness about the signs, effects, and prevention of domestic abuse, including resources for individuals […]

The United States Department of Homeland Security provides Citizenship & Immigration Services, that include fee waivers for individuals that can demonstrate an inability to pay filing fees for various citizenship and immigration documents. The Form to Request a Fee Waiver (Form I-912) and the Instructions for Completion are available on […]

The Cincinnati Computer Reuse, located at 49 Novner Drive, is a non profit organization that provides low cost home computers to anyone. Everyone is welcome to purchase their refurbished desktop or laptop computers. Low-income individuals and families who meet the Technology Access Program eligibility requirements are eligible for additional discounts. […]

FREE laundry services are available to low-income families, students, individuals and the homeless. Volunteers assist with the laundry services, and all laundry fees and supplies are paid for through generous donations. The laundry services are offered on a first come, first serve basis, and guests must remain present during throughout […]

Medication Assisted Recovery, outpatient, and intensive outpatient services for women with Opioid Addiction are available at My Sisters Garden, located at 4129 East Galbraith Road, Deer Park, OH (Mailing address: P.O. Box 37169, Cincinnati, OH 45222). They accept Medicaid and offer medication assisted treatment, as well as case management and […]

Families comprise 40% of the homeless population. Children in these families typically change schools 7 to 8 times per year, significantly disrupting their peer relationships and education. There are several programs in Hamilton County using a single gateway specifically focusing on the provision of housing support to homeless families with […]

There is an updated tool for application and participation in the public service loan forgiveness program. The tool allows participants to manage their account completely online, including the required signatures by borrowers and their employers.  Things you can do with the online tool include the following: The tool provides a […]

Metro's Fare Deal program allows eligible riders to obtain a Fare Deal identification card valid for half-price fares on any Metro trip. Eligible Participants include adults 65 and older, Medicare card holders, Riders with disabilities, and Access Program participants. Those 65 years-old and older are automatically eligible; proof of age […]

As we age, maintaining a regular exercise routine becomes increasingly important for our overall health and well-being. For elderly adults, staying physically active can help prevent illness, improve mobility and flexibility, and enhance overall quality of life. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such […]

9 8 8 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a national network of local crisis centers, providing free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone can call or text 9 8 8 or chat online at […]

Free afterschool meals for kids and teens are available at select library branches throughout Cincinnati and Hamilton County. In partnership with United Methodist Church Food Ministry, kids ages 1 through 18 can enjoy FREE meals Mondays through Fridays at the Library throughout the school year. No application or registration form […]

Cincinnati Public Schools offer full-service health centers at sites around the district to serve the medical needs of students, families and the community. Currently, there are 25 School-Based Health Centers to serve students' needs; 14 of those centers are also open to the community. The school based health centers offer […]

Amazon offers online Telehealth appointments for individuals to see a doctor or nurse. The appointments enable participants to discuss their medical issue, receive a treatment plan and a prescription for any recommended medication. Prescriptions can be filled by Amazon Pharmacy and delivered to one's home. Amazon can alternatively have the […]

If you or somebody you know has a disability and would like to work, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors can help them explore options. The State of Ohio provides at no charge vocational rehabilitation counselors to individuals with disabilities. One can apply online for these services or by calling 1-800-282-4536 to get started.  […]

The National Association for Children of Addiction produces a booklet called “Tools for Kids” to support healthy development of children impacted by addiction in their family. The 2024 version of the booklet provides children with important information about addiction, how addiction impacts kids, what kids can do, and how children […]

An Advance Healthcare Directive is a legal document that specifies one's healthcare preferences, and who should make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so themselves. It is also known as a living will, advance directive, or medical directive. Treatment preferences in advance healthcare directives may include specific instructions […]

Many pet owners who need housing, medical or rehabilitation services can not access these services because they will not surrender their pet. Surrendering one's animal in order to receive housing, medical or rehabilitation services for oneself or family, can cause trauma to everyone involved. Found House Interfaith Housing Network (formerly […]

The Holloman Center for Social Justice hosts information sessions about the process of criminal record expungement. The sessions are meant to answer questions about record expungement, and help connect individuals in to the relevant resources. One of these information sessions is coming up in Fall 2026. The information session will […]

New Life Furniture Bank provides furniture assistance to individuals and families in need. There is a large selection of furniture items available including new mattresses, dressers, sofas, chairs, coffee tables and more. Their main office is located at 11335 Reed Hartman Hwy, Unit 134, Cincinnati, OH 45241, and they can […]

The National Institute on Drug Abuse produces educational materials about drug abuse and addiction, as well as screening tools that can be used by clinicians. These materials are freely available in .pdf format and can be downloaded for use in drug treatment settings. The .pdfs are available in English and […]

Walmart offers up to a 30-day supply of over 300 different generic medications for $4 per prescription. They also offer a 90-day supply of many generic medications for $10. These prices do not apply to prescriptions filled by mail order. Prescriptions refills may be ordered online or by telephone, but […]

Medicaid and EBT cardholders get a 50% discount on Amazon Prime Membership, paying only $6.99 per month instead of $14.99. The 50% discount can be a significant savings for EBT card holders who already self pay for Amazon Prime. In some situations it can also be beneficial for those who […]

Seniors are welcome to enjoy free laundry services from 10 AM through noon, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, at City Limits Laundry, located at 4592 Montgomery Road, Norwood, OH 45212. The service is made available by Dedicated Senior Medical Centers. The service is limited to the timeframe […]

Individuals who have had their driver's license or Ohio professional license suspended due to lack of child support payments, can have these licenses reinstated if they make payment arrangements this August. Payment arrangements must be made with the Child Support Division of the Hamilton County Department of Job & Family […]

Amazon and Kroger both offer local food delivery services helpful to low income individuals and families. Many individuals on a fixed income and/or without reliable transportation struggle with grocery shopping, sometimes even wheeling grocery carts to the closest bus stop. Low cost and FREE delivery services for groceries can be […]

The Social Security Administration creates an annual statement for each individual, showing how much you have paid in Social Security and Medicare taxes, and how much you would get in Social Security benefits when you reach full retirement age. The Social Security Administration recalculates your retirement benefit each year after […]

For many low to moderate income households, property taxes can account for a significant portion of their monthly expenses, making it difficult to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare. Property tax relief programs can help to reduce the risk of homelessness and financial instability for low income […]

The National Association for Children of Addiction (NA CoA) has published a list of Spanish resources for children and families impacted by addiction. NA CoA works to eliminate the adverse impact of alcohol and drug use on children and families. The resource list is written in Spanish and includes links […]

Traffic court can result in a question of citizenship for individuals that don't have a driver's license, especially if they happen to be latino. This is a hardship on the Latino community in that if one is unable to present documents quickly, they are often suspected by others as being […]

People with disabilities often face unique challenges in navigating the healthcare system, including communication barriers, lack of accessibility, and discrimination. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals with disabilities to receive support for advocacy in their healthcare to ensure they receive the appropriate care and accommodations they need. Advocacy can help […]

Hamilton County Public Health offers an Overdose Rescue app to help connect care providers to resources preventing fatal opiate overdose. The app is FREE and can guide people responding to an overdose event. You can download the Overdose Rescue App from the Google Play or Apple App Store. Features include: […]

Cincinnati Museum Center participates in a national program that provides discounted admission for low income families. All SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and MARCC cards accepted. Guests with a valid food assistance (SNAP/EBT) card and a photo ID, or a valid Medicaid, WIC, or MARCC card and a photo ID, will receive […]

During hot summer months it is particularly important to screen patients for risk factors. The CDC provides a screening tool which can be used for this. The screening tool is available for download as a pdf, and can be freely distributed to interested parties for use with patients or loved […]

The Hamilton County Department of Health provides a number of health education resources available for download and review. Among these are “Fact Sheets” on a number of topics, including one about important factors to consider during heat emergencies.   Those at greatest risk for heat-related illness include infants and children up […]

Over the past four years there's been new student debt relief programs created by the U.S. Government and then subsequently shut down. These changes created a lot of confusion. It is important for those with student debt to know what there obligations are for repayment, and what programs that are […]

Red Bike is a public bicycle sharing system that has bike stations throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. For individuals living near the bike stations, and healthy enough to ride, the bikes can be a more economical option than exclusively ride-sharing, using the metro bus system, or buying and maintaining a car. […]

Access to fruits and vegetables is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. For low-income individuals and families, limited access to affordable and fresh produce can pose a significant barrier to achieving a balanced and nutritious diet. This can lead to an increased risk of chronic health conditions such […]

Leisure activities and routines are crucial for maintaining good mental health. Engaging in activities such as going to a park can be an essential part of a self-care routine. For some people with mental health challenges or disabilities, they may need assistance in establishing these routines and transportation. Hamilton County […]

The St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy, with locations at the Don & Phyllis Neyer Outreach Center, the Western Hills Thrift Store, and the Milford Thrift Store, provides a last resort safety net for those who have no other way to access their prescription medication. Services The St. Vincent de […]

Program update – Fall 2026. The AC request form opens annually on May 1. At this time, due to a large volume of requests and overwhelming need, St. Vincent de Paul is no longer accepting new AC requests for the 2026 season. Please check back next May. For immediate or […]

Where do you go to buy food for your family when it takes an hour by bus to get to the nearest grocery store? What do you eat when processed food and corner-store snacks are the only things within reach, or the only affordable options? Healthy Harvest Mobile Market visits […]

Talbert House is known throughout the region as being a provider of mental health and addictions services, but they also a number of other services including primary medical care. Primary Medical Care is an important resource for every individual and family. Primary care providers can help one connect to a […]

Hamilton County officials have announced that Veterans will now be provided FREE bus fare when traveling to VA Medical Center appointments. The program will involve one-day travel tickets that the patient can use to ride the bus to their appointment and back for free. To obtain passes, a one-time office […]

Extra money is available to SNAP recipients this summer to make sure kids are getting the meals they need during summer break. Traditionally there has been no change in the amount of SNAP benefits one receives during the school year and summer, despite the fact that children have lunch provided […]

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company annually performs FREE Shakespeare plays in the park. This year they will be performing William Shakespeare's play “Much Ado About Nothing”. The performances are on different days, July 14th through September 6th. Most performances are at 7pm, and each performance is held at a different park […]

Cincinnati Recreation Commission Spray Parks are open starting as early as May 30 or June 6, and running through August 8 for the 2026 season. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission has 9 spray parks throughout Hamilton County. Each are open from 10 AM through 9 PM, seven days a week. All […]

Fentanyl test strips are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs, like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, as well as other substances. The test strips can be […]

Warnings about excessive heat and poor air quality occur frequently during the summer and are important to pay attention to, for your own health sake, and or if you have vulnerable individuals under your care. The National Weather Service will issue warnings about excessive heat when there is a prolonged […]

Dust containing lead paint particles have been found to present a significant risk for lead poisoning in children. This dust can shed from paint in houses and apartment buildings built before 1978, when use of lead paint was very prevalent in both public and private housing. How to Ascertain the […]

In Fredrick Douglass's most famous speech on the hypocrisy of American slavery, he pointed out the paradox of Independence Day: America declared every man had a right to liberty while at the same time enslaving millions of people. More than nine years after this speech, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation […]