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Water, energy, utility, and rent assistance for Hamilton County residents

 

Rent assistance in Hamilton County

Help to pay Duke bills, help with the electric bill, or energy utility assistance.

Financial assistance to avoid water and sewer shut off

 

The Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program draws on federal pandemic relief funds to aid renters who live in Hamilton County and have experienced financial or medical hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic (since March 2020).

 

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Who is eligible for the Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program?

Households at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible.

Number of People in HouseholdMax Income 80% of Area Median Income
1$47,850
2$54,650
3$61,500
4$68,300
5$73,800
6$79,250

 

What do Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program applicants need before applying?

Please be prepared to attach the following verification documents to your application:

Type of AssistanceRequired Verifications
All ApplicantsPay stubs covering 30 days and/or an unemployment statement or letter.
Rental AssistanceA statement showing the amount currently owed for rent/rent arrears.Landlord Vendor Registration – See the instructions below. Please note: If your landlord does not complete the Vendor Registration, your application for assistance will be denied.
Utilities (Water or Gas/Electric)A utility bill showing the amount owed, account number, and the name and address on the account.
Your StoryHow did you suffer a financial loss due to the pandemic? Ex. Lost a job, hours cut, furlough, etc.

If you are unable to attach all the required verifications to the application, you can e-mail them to [email protected]

What is the maximum assistance a renter in Hamilton County may receive?

Hamilton County will pay up to 15 months of rent (12 past due and three future) and 12 months of past due gas, electric, and/or water utilities.

Income-eligible renters who do not owe past due on their rent but experienced financial or medical hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic (since March 2020) and have not already received 15 months of pandemic relief rental assistance may apply for up to three months of future rental assistance.

 

 

Related Article: Heating Assistance for Ohio seniors is available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

 

 

Can a renter in Hamilton County receive rent and utility assistance if they have already received pandemic relief funding from the Hamilton County Job & Family Services or Community Action Agency programs?

Renters who have not already received the maximum 15 months of rental assistance and 12 months of utility assistance collectively from Hamilton County Job & Family Services and Community Action Agency programs are eligible to receive additional funding.

 

Who can a renter in Hamilton County contact for help and questions about the Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application?

OhioMeansJobs can help renters in Hamilton County with in-person or virtual assistance in preparing and submitting a Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application by calling 513-946-1000 (Option 1) or visiting 1916 Central Parkway Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Voice of Your Customer can help renters in Hamilton County with in-person or virtual assistance in preparing and submitting a Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application by calling 513-281-3228 or emailing [email protected].

The United Way of Greater Cincinnati Care Coordination team can help renters in Hamilton County with the Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application. Renters in Hamilton County who are 60+ and those who do not have access to the internet, laptop, tablet, or smartphone to start the online application, call 211 and request to speak to a Care Coordinator or text 211CARES to 51555. Renters in Hamilton County can also visit United Way 211 Helpline – Get Help | United Way of Greater Cincinnati (uwgc.org) for more information.

 

What is the status of a Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application?

Hamilton County Job & Family Services processes applications in the order received. Renters in Hamilton County wanting to confirm the status of a pending application, update a pending application, submit missing documents, or track payments to landlords or utility companies should call Hamilton County Job & Family Services at 513-946-1000, option 1.

Renters in Hamilton County can also sign into the 513Relief.org website to see the status of a Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application. Hamilton County renters who applied more than 45 days ago and have not received an update should call 513-946-1000, option 1.

 

Once a Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application is approved, how long will it take for the landlord and utility company to be paid?

Landlords and utility companies will be paid 30 to 60 days after Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application has been approved. Call Hamilton County Job & Family Services at 513-946-1000, Option 1, if a Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application has been approved and a landlord or utility company has not received the payment.

 

 

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Will receiving Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program funds affect the applicant’s taxes or government subsidies such as food, cash, housing, Medicaid, etc.?

Hamilton County rent and utility pandemic relief funds are not classified as income and do not affect the applicant’s taxes or eligibility for government subsidies. Payments go directly to landlords and utility companies, not the applicants.

 

How are renters in Hamilton County notified when a Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program application has been reviewed?

All applicants will receive an email requesting additional information and status updates on their applications. Communications will come via email from [email protected].

 

How do Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program applicants submit requested verifications?

Verifications can be emailed to [email protected].

 

What verifications do renters in Hamilton County need to submit for the Hamilton County Rent and Utility Relief Program?

The most commonly requested verifications are as follows:

  • Copy of the lease for the unit applying for rent or utility assistance
  • Income Statements for the past 30 days (pay stubs, W-2s, W-9s, tax returns, etc.) for all adults (age 18 and over) living in the unit applying for rent or assistance
  • Rental Ledger – a list of rental payments prepared by the landlord, including any months in arrears and late fees owed
  • Gas, electric and/or water bill(s) with the past-due balance(s)
  • Statement of Hardship, including the date of the hardship and why the applicant is behind on rent and/or utilities. Examples of hardships during the pandemic (since March 2020) are as follows:
    • Loss of income – unemployment, decrease in hours, lower wages
    • Increases in family expenses
    • Increases in childcare cost
    • Forced to take off work to take care of a family member
    • Lack of or delayed access to healthcare

 

Are you looking for additional assistance? Check out these mortgage, rent, and utility assistance programs, shelter, and home repair services.

 

Source: Hamilton County Job and Family Services

 

 

Related Article: Workforce development programs empower Black communities

 

 

The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-270-3880.

 

Hamilton County Rent, Water, Sewer and Energy Utility Assistance image provided by  © [Prostock-studio] /Adobe Stock.

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Written by Sophie Barsan

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9 comments

  1. I’m on a fixed Income , I pay market rent and could use some help renting my rent is there help for senior.

    1. Residents of Hamilton County are encouraged to apply for rental assistance using the link in this article.

    1. Thank you for visiting our website. Hopefully, a location on this page can assist you or refer you to other agencies who may have funding.

  2. To whom this may concern my name is Glenda Rainey and I was under the impression that I could fill out an application for tenants utility payments?, I’m on a fixed income and I also work a part-time job to make ends meet but recently I’ve had to have 2 procedures done in one week and it kinda put me behind I’m not complaining but asking for a little help Thank you

    1. We invite you to contact the Community Action Agency to learn about their utility relief programs. Thank you.

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