Hamilton County Means Business
Small Business resources in one convenient location
Get Relief Now
513Relief.org is a one-stop resource providing Hamilton County residents direct access to economic relief.
Hamilton County Commissioners launched 513Relief.org at the height of the pandemic to connect residents with the various federal, state and local programs designed to help families find stability in challenging times. Commissioners introduced the 513Relief Bus to ensure access to these resources in every community, Commissioners introduced the 513Relief Bus.
Click here for 513Relief bus tour schedule
Services 1
Rent/Utility Relief
Keeping your family in your home
Housing/Utility Relief
Keeping your family in your home
Small Business
How can we help your business thrive?
Small Business
How can we help your business thrive?
Services 2
513Relief Bus
Bringing no-cost resources to a neighborhood near you.
513Relief Bus
Bringing no-cost resources to a neighborhood near you.
Health Services
Prescription Card programs and Covid-19 info you can trust
Health Services
Prescription Card programs and Covid-19 info you can trust
Services 3
Employment
Unemployment and helping you look and train for a job
Employment
Unemployment and helping you look and train for a job
Other Services
Services for your mental health, addiction, tax preparation and more
Other Services
Services for your mental health, addiction, free wifi and more
513 Relief
Access the support you need
We have created this website to serve as a gateway to relief options available to Hamilton County residents impacted by Covid-19. Together with our partners, we resolve to make community support known and swiftly provided to those in need.
Hamilton County Commissioners
Alicia Reece, President
Denise Driehaus, Vice President
Stephanie Summerow Dumas
513 Relief Alerts
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513 Relief News
513 Relief News
“We need to do what we can to help struggling homeowners pay property tax increases”
Hamilton County Commissioners Allocate Additional Funding to Mortgage, Property Tax and Utility Relief for Eligible Homeowners
Hamilton County, Ohio – Amid higher property taxes after the recent reappraisals, Hamilton County Commissioners approved the reallocation of $701,000 in federal funds to provide relief to eligible homeowners who are behind on their mortgage, property taxes and/or utility bills.
With the additional funding, the Hamilton County Mortgage, Property Tax and Utility Program now has $1.4 million available for homeowners to help cover the costs for up to six months of past-due mortgage, property taxes, and/or utilities for owner-occupied properties.
“At 513Relief Bus stops, at commission meetings and at community gatherings across Hamilton County, we have heard directly from homeowners about the need for help,” said Commission President Alicia Reece. “This funding allows us to extend the program to help more homeowners who are struggling to stay in their homes, keep the lights on and help pay property taxes.”
“We need to do what we can to help struggling homeowners pay property tax increases,” said Commissioner Denise Driehaus. “As we spend down our ARPA funds we will continue to be nimble and respond as quickly as possible to the needs of the community.”
“Words cannot express how gratified I am to offer additional relief to families who need help right now,” said Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas. “We want to get the word out and make sure that it reaches every eligible homeowner in Hamilton County.”
Hamilton County homeowners must have established connection to residence and be the applicant’s primary residence (second homes, rental properties, Airbnb, and other similar type rentals are not eligible for assistance). Homeowners must have a household income under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For example, a single-person household making less than $45,180 annually, or a three-person household making less than $77,460.
Commissioners are using dollars provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to combat the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamilton County received $158.8 million from the United States Department of the Treasury to support the Board’s response to and recovery from the Pandemic. Commissioners reallocated backstop funding left over from the Rent and Utility assistance program that ended in October 2023.
To date, the Commissioners, through the work of Hamilton County Job and Family Services, have provided mortgage assistance to about 1,000 residents. Homeowners can find the application on this website’s homeowner’s section. If a homeowner experiences internet or computer troubles, the United Way 211 Care Navigators can help.
513Relief Bus Rolls into 2024 with Two Dozen Hamilton County Departments
‘Everything Hamilton County’ Delivers Vital Services to Underserved Communities
The 513Relief Bus, a nationally recognized initiative of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, is rolling out its 2024 season by teaming up with an unprecedented number of partners. Over 20 County Departments will be on hand Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 10am-3pm at Corinthian Baptist Church, 1920 Tennessee Ave. (45237) to help those in need with fresh produce, homeowner assistance, tax resources and information, medical screenings, veteran services, job resources and more!
The 513Relief Bus is designed to reach communities that may face barriers in accessing essential services. Through strategic planning and community collaboration, the 513Relief Bus aims to provide resources directly to residents using a community-based approach.
‘Everything Hamilton County’ Key Partners and Expanded Services
- Hamilton County Auditor’s Office (Board of Revision, Homestead Credit, Owner Occupancy Credit)
- City Link (employment services)
- Closing the Health Gap (health services and information)
- Council on Aging (aging adult and caregiver services and resources)
- Easterseals (Disability, Veteran and Employment & Training Services)
- Economic Community Development Institute/ECDI (small business resources, bookkeeping, website, marketing, financial readiness, and access to funding)
- Hamilton County Board of Elections (voter registration)
- Hamilton County Clerk of Courts (Help Center: Municipal Civil Court; Auto Title & Passport info)
- Hamilton County Clerk of the Board of Commissioners (notary services)
- Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls (personal hygiene products)
- Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (intake, resources, and services)
- Hamilton County Department of Economic Inclusion and Equity
- Hamilton County Human Resources (accepting applications for County employment)
- Hamilton County Job and Family Services (Mortgage & Utility Relief Program, cash assistance, food assistance, Medicaid, childcare inquiries, child support modification applications and real-time case information, guidance, fatherhood support, kinship support, workforce, and jobs)
- Hamilton County Office of Reentry (intake and resources for returning citizens)
- Hamilton County Office of Small Business (coaching, business planning and connection to small business resources)
- Hamilton County Office of Youth (youth employment)
- Hamilton County Ohio Means Jobs (job search, resources and employment services)
- Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office (expungement, background assessments)
- Hamilton County Public Health (FREE birth certificates, health education, lead info, infant and child vitality)
- Hamilton County Public Library (library card renewal)
- Hamilton County Quick Response Team (substance use education, linkage to treatment, harm reduction materials)
- Hamilton County Recorder’s Office (homeowner fraud alert, veteran ID applications)
- Hamilton County Resource (food boxes, fresh produce)
- Hamilton County Sheriff (free gun locks)
- Hamilton County Treasurer (property tax payment plans, prepayment plans / escrow info)
- Hamilton County Veterans Services Commission (Veterans services, linkage to assistance)
- Legal Aid (tax attorneys to answer questions, self-help in real time)
- Metropolitan Sewer District (utility help, customer assistance program for seniors)
- OhioMeansJobs (work force development)
- Sweetcheeks (free diapers)
- Talbert House Medical (blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings)
- Talbert House Social Services (mental health, social services, substance abuse)
- United Way (tax resources and information)
- Urban League (career development program enrollment)
Find the 513Relief All Year
Residents can find the growing 2024 Bus Schedule here.
New 513 Relief Bus Hits the Streets
Hamilton County’s New 513Relief Bus Brings Mobile Services Directly to Neighborhoods
County Commissioners cut the ribbon on the new bus Thursday, Jan. 26 at Corinthian Baptist Church, 1920 Tennessee Avenue. Residents immediately started using the services the bus provides, including health screenings, help applying for public assistance, support for older adults and caregivers, employment connections, financial literacy, career styling, mental health and substance abuse referrals and Covid-19 vaccinations.
Working together, Hamilton County departments and other partner agencies are proactively reaching as many residents as possible with a wide variety of services. The 513Relief Bus removes barriers that might keep residents from seeking help, including accessibility, transportation and technology.
Commission President Alicia Reece invites the whole community to the new bus stops.
“We helped over 4,000 people with our pilot bus in 2021,” said President Reece. “Today, we are announcing the new permanent tech bus that allows Hamilton County to go mobile countywide with health and economic services to help residents. We are using technology to deliver services in what has become a national model.”
“At the onset of the pandemic, we quickly learned there are numerous residents of our county who are hard to reach in traditional ways,” said Commissioner Denise Driehaus. “This gives us the ability to engage people in their own community in a proactive way.” Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas said she’s excited about bringing resources directly to people.
“We can’t expect them to find us,” she said. “We are bringing help to them. That’s important because it shifts the perception away from being just a number to face-to-face interactions that hopefully lead to meaningful support.”
Before the new bus, the county borrowed a bus from UC Health. That bus already helped more than 4,000 people with relief and vaccinations. It visited 28 zip codes in 2021 and took applications for rent, utility and mortgage relief from people living in 50 zip codes.
Introduced by Commissioner Reece and unanimously supported by the board of commissioners, the bus idea was adopted with the support of local civil rights and grassroots leaders, who suggested a one-stop bus to fight Covid-19 and other health and economic disparities.
County Departments that are participating include:
- Hamilton County Job and Family Services
- Hamilton County Office of Reentry
- Hamilton County Public Health
- Hamilton County Community, Outreach, Recovery and Engagement Program (CORE)
Other organizations participating include:
- Council on Aging
- Dress for Success
- Your Priority Healthcare
- UC Health
- Urban League
- Addition Services Council
- Talbert House
For more information and the bus schedule, please see 513Relief.org/bus.
Hamilton County Restarts Rent & Utility Program
Commissioners Announce $12 Million In Covid-19 Federal Aid To Help Families Avoid Eviction And Keep The Lights On
Hamilton County Commissioners voted to accept $12 million in federal emergency rent and utility relief funding that will effectively relaunch the program that was paused in July as the County awaited additional funding. Starting Monday, November 21, Hamilton County Job and Family Services will accept applications from County renters through 513Relief.org. The County will pay up to 15 months rent (12 past due and three future) and utilities for eligible renters at or below 80% of the Area Median Income who experienced a financial impact due to COVID.
The County expects to help between 3,000 and 3,500 households with this new round of funding. As of September 2022, the County had distributed $44.9 million in emergency rental and utility assistance to thousands of Hamilton County renters.
“Hamilton County has done a great job getting these federal dollars to the people who need them the most. We’ve already helped over 12,000 households keep the lights on and pay their rent,” said Commission President Stephanie Summerow. “Our job is not done. Families are still struggling to pay the bills with inflation, higher fuel costs and lost income due to the pandemic.”
“The pandemic has not gone away. Families still need help with inflation, high gas prices, skyrocketing prescription drug costs on top of lost income,” said Commission Vice President Alicia Reece. “We’ve made our Rent and Utility program as easy as possible. Residents can apply on cell phones, the paperwork has been streamlined, and access to the County’s programs are all on one convenient website- 513Relief.org.”
“With winter weather upon us, we know some Hamilton County residents are struggling to heat their homes and pay the rent,” said Commissioner Denise Driehaus. “Thanks to our partners at the federal level, help is available.”
Eligibility
| Hamilton County Rent & Utility Relief Income Eligibility | |
| Number of People in Household | Max Income 80% of Area Median Income |
| 1 | $47,850 |
| 2 | $54,650 |
| 3 | $61,500 |
| 4 | $68,300 |
| 5 | $73,800 |
| 6 | $79,250 |
| Hamilton County Rent & Utility Relief Income Eligibility | ||||||
| Number of People in Household | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Max Income 80% of Area Median Income | $47,850 | $54,650 | $61,500 | $68,300 | $73,800 | $79,250 |
The Hamilton County Rent and Utility Program’s application is easy to use and can be submitted on a smart phone by visiting 513Relief.org – the County’s COVID-relief website. To apply, applicants need the following four items: 1) Current and/or past-due household bills such as rent and/or utility bills, 2) income verifications for the past 30 days (e.g. paystubs), 3) COVID-19 financial impact details (how did you suffer a financial loss due to the pandemic? Ex. lost job), 4) landlord vendor registration (checks are made out to the landlord directly).
The application portal will open on Monday, November 21st at 9am. Applications will be processed in the order received. Applicants will be contacted by staff to submit additional information or documents if needed. Applications are expected to be processed within 30 days however due to the end-of-year reconciliations, payments will likely be distributed in the new year. Applicants who already received the full 15 months of rent assistance are no longer eligible to receive these funds.
Applicants who experience barriers when submitting the online application, can seek help from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati Care Coordination team. Individuals 60+ or individuals who do not have internet access or access to a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, can call 211 and request to speak to a Care Coordinator or text 211CARES to 51555 to see if United Way 211 can help.
What About Homeowners?
The State of Ohio has a robust mortgage and utility assistance called Save the Dream that provides eligible Ohio homeowners with financial assistance to pay delinquent mortgage payments and/or future mortgage payments for up to six months. While the amount of assistance may vary by household, a household may receive up to a combined $25,000 in mortgage assistance.
There is no cost to apply for the program. To qualify for Save the Dream Ohio, a household must have their primary residence in Ohio, have experienced financial hardship or loss of income related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have an income at or below the Save the Dream Ohio income eligibility threshold (see chart below).
| Save the Dream Ohio Income Eligibility | |
| Number of People in Household | Max Income 150% of Area Median Income |
| 1 | $103,350 |
| 2 | $118,200 |
| 3 | $132,900 |
| 4 | $147,600 |
| 5 | $159,450 |
| 6 | $171,300 |
| Save the Dream Ohio Income Eligibility | ||||||
| Number of People in Household | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Max Income 150% of Area Median Income | $103,350 | $118,200 | $132,900 | $147,600 | $159,450 | $171,300 |
For those who do not qualify for the state’s program, Hamilton County Commissioners have set aside money in their American Rescue Plan allocation for homeowners to keep them from foreclosure. Details on both the state and county programs can be found at 513Relief.org/mortgage.
513Relief Bus Is Headed Your Way
The 513Relief Bus Brings Resources to Those Who Need Them
Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the need to deliver social services, including no-cost COVID-19 vaccinations, to Hamilton County neighborhoods. The Hamilton County 513Relief Bus (the Hamilton County Equity and Resources Mobile Tech Bus) will provide those resources directly to those who need it most.
NO COST Resources:
- COVID-19 Vaccinations by the UC Health
- HCJFS is providing information, direct assistance and/or on-sight applications for:
- Cash
- Food
- Medicaid
- Rent and Utility Help
- Workforce Development
- Child Support / Child Care
NO APPOINTMENT Needed
Have questions? Contact us.