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. |
| The Ohio Benefit Bank's new RV equipped with satellite internet, 8 laptops, 2 work stations and a generator to go anywhere in Ohio and provide functionality at plant closings or disaster areas. OBB will be able to set up a mobile benefit bank clinic just about anywhere. |
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Growth and Results
The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks has trained over 4,000 Benefit Bank counselors and has established more than 850 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 $100 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.
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
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