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The Benefit Bank of Ohio


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The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) is a public-private partnership that helps connect low- and moderate-income Ohioans with free tax preparation and access to potential public benefits and work supports.

In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (GOFBCI) and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, the OBB

encourages eligible Ohioans to claim tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, and public benefits, such as food stamps, child care subsidies, home energy assistance and children’s health care insurance, by helping them prepare and file applications.
Growth and Results
  • Since September 1, 2006, OBB has grown to more than 550 sites in more than half of Ohio’s counties, sponsored by nearly 550 faith-based, community and private sector organizations.
  • Nearly 2,500 counselors across Ohio are trained to use the OBB to help low- and moderate-income Ohioans claim tax credits and public benefits for which they are eligible.

  • Since the program’s inception, OBB has helped more than 19,000 Ohioans claim more than $20 million in tax credits and public benefits.

A Boon for Ohio’s Economy

  • Each year, more than $1.6 billion in tax credits and public benefits go unclaimed.  More than 95 percent of these funds are federal dollars that do not come into Ohio unless the claims are made.

  • When claimed, these funds can have a significant impact on Ohio’seconomy, by maximizing the benefits provided to eligible Ohioans and stimulating economic development for local communities where the funds would be spent.

Our Partners

  • The OBB works with partners, such as community or faith-based organizations, senior service programs, food banks or food pantries, health providers, and housing programs, in order to customize the outreach programs to the needs of individual communities.
  • The involvement of Ohio businesses and faith-based and community groups is particularly important, because these organizations are well-positioned to reach underserved populations that might not access benefits through traditional channels.
  • The operations of the OBB are supported by appropriations in the State budget, funds from the GOFBCI, grants from the Ohio Department of Development and non-profit and foundation supporters, and federal food stamp administrative matching funds. Additional partners who have recently given grants to the OBB include the George Gund Foundation, The Columbus Foundation, and Charter One Foundation.

History of the Ohio Benefit Bank

  • The Benefit Bank is a project of the National Council of Churches (NCC), the Jewish Council on Public Affairs and several other national organizations.
  • In early 2006, NCC chose Ohio as a pilot state for the Benefit Bank and outreach soon began when Episcopal Community Services Foundation of Southern Ohio started recruiting counselors and establishing Benefit Bank sites. 
  • The Columbus Foundation and the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Community Services provided substantial initial funding for community outreach.
  • Later in 2006, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF), the state’s largest charitable response to hunger, became the lead non-profit agency implementing the Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB).
Contact

For more information about The Ohio Benefit Bank call
(800) 648-1176, go to www.obb.ohio.gov >