Benefits

Ohio Benefits for Older Adults

Ohio has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, heating bills, and property taxes on their home. This page lists each kind of help in Ohio, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state or county agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.

Kinds of benefits in Ohio

The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.

Social Security in Ohio

Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and family members of workers who have died. Field offices can help you apply, replace a card, change your benefit information, and apply for Extra Help with drug costs. Many tasks can be done online or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

Medicaid for Older Ohioans (Aged, Blind, or Disabled)

Medicaid in Ohio for people who are aged, blind, or disabled can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, some dental care, and hospice. In 2026, the income limit is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, with resources up to $2,000 or $3,000. Long-term care has a higher income limit of $2,982 a month for one person. The county agency decides if you qualify.

Ohio notes

• Ohio expanded Medicaid, so adults under 65 can qualify on income alone up to 138 percent of the poverty level, with no asset test for that group (Group VIII).
• People with income over the limit may still qualify through a spenddown or the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD).
• Long-term services for older adults run through PASSPORT, the Assisted Living Waiver, and MyCare Ohio plans.

Medicare Premium Assistance in Ohio (MPAP)

Ohio helps pay Medicare costs through the Medicare Premium Assistance Program, or MPAP. QMB helps people with income up to $1,350 a month for one person and $1,824 for a couple, and pays premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium for people with income up to $1,616 or $1,816 a month for one person. Resources must be $9,950 or less for one person, or $14,910 for a couple. The state decides if you qualify.

Ohio notes

• Ohio runs QMB, SLMB, and QI together as the Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP), applied for on form ODM 07216.
• Getting MPAP signs you up for Extra Help with drug costs on its own.

Food Assistance in Ohio (SNAP)

The Food Assistance Program is the Ohio name for SNAP. It helps people with low income buy food, and benefits come on an Ohio Direction Card. If you are 60 or older, your medical costs may count in a way that raises your benefit. You can own your home and still get food help. The county agency decides if you qualify.

Ohio notes

• Ohio calls SNAP the Food Assistance Program. Benefits come on an Ohio Direction Card (EBT).
• Households with a member 60 or older or disabled face only the net income test, and medical costs over $35 a month may raise the benefit.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Ohio

SSI pays monthly cash to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and few resources. For 2026, the federal part pays up to $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple. Your resources must be $2,000 or less for one person, or $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in does not count, and people who get SSI in Ohio also get Medicaid. Social Security decides if you qualify.

Ohio notes

• Ohio does not add a regular state supplement to SSI, but people who get SSI in Ohio also get Medicaid.
• Ohio also runs a small Residential State Supplement for some people in approved living settings, decided by the county.

Extra Help and Golden Buckeye Drug Savings in Ohio

Extra Help is a federal Medicare program that pays most of your Part D drug costs if your income and savings are low. Ohio also gives people 60 or older a free Golden Buckeye card, which can bring discounts at drug stores and other businesses. You may qualify for one or both. Each program makes its own decision.

Energy Help in Ohio (HEAP)

HEAP helps Ohio households with low income pay their heating bills. For 2026-27, a household of one can have income up to $27,930 a year. Older adults can also get summer help with electric bills and cooling. You apply through your local Community Action Agency or by phone at 1-800-282-0880. The agency decides if you qualify.

Homestead Exemption for Older Ohio Homeowners

Ohio lowers property taxes for older homeowners through the homestead exemption. If you are 65 or older, or totally disabled, and you own and live in your home, you may get part of your home value taken off your taxes. You apply with your county auditor. The county decides if you qualify.

Aging Services in Ohio (Department of Aging / AAAs)

Area Agencies on Aging are local offices that help Ohioans age 60 and older and the people who care for them. They can help you find meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support, and benefits you may have missed. The state Department of Aging also runs the free Golden Buckeye discount card. Help is free.

Free Medicare Counseling in Ohio (OSHIIP / SHIP)

OSHIIP is the Ohio name for SHIP, the free Medicare counseling program. Counselors can explain Medicare, compare plans, help with appeals, and check if you may qualify for programs that lower your costs, like the Medicare Premium Assistance Program and Extra Help. They do not sell insurance. Call 1-800-686-1578 to reach a counselor near you.

Applying for Benefits in Ohio (Job and Family Services)

Most Ohio benefit programs run through your County Department of Job and Family Services. You can apply for food help, health coverage, and Medicare premium help in one place online through Ohio Benefits. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bank accounts. The agency makes the final decision.

Good to know in Ohio

• Medicaid for people who are aged, blind, or disabled in Ohio follows the SSI rules: in 2026 the income limit is $994 a month for one person, with resources up to $2,000 (Ohio Department of Medicaid). Long-term care uses a special income level of $2,982 a month.
• Ohio calls its Medicare Savings Programs the Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP). For 2026, QMB goes up to $1,350 a month for one person, SLMB to $1,616, and QI to $1,816, with resources up to $9,950 for one person (Ohio Department of Medicaid standards).
• Energy help in Ohio is HEAP, run through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services network. For 2026-27, household income must be at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level — $27,930 a year for one person.
• Homeowners 65 or older may get the Homestead Exemption, which lowers property taxes on their home through the county auditor (Ohio Department of Taxation).
• Free Medicare counseling in Ohio is OSHIIP. Call 1-800-686-1578. The Golden Buckeye card, from the Department of Aging, gives discounts to Ohioans 60 or older.
• Most benefits are applied for in one place: Ohio Benefits (benefits.ohio.gov) online, or your County Department of Job and Family Services.

Free local help

Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: