The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) is a web-based computer program to connect low and moderate-income Ohioans with access to work supports such as tax credits and public benefits.
The OBB is offered through a public-private partnership between the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and more than 400 faith-based, non-profit, governmental and private-sector partners.
More than 2600 trained counselors are currently staffing 630+ Benefit Bank sites and clinics in 78 of Ohio's 88 counties to help prepare and file federal and Ohio income tax returns at no cost to eligible Ohioans. Free income tax assistance is also available through an online, self-service program.
Ohioans can also check potential eligibility for other work support benefits such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps at the Benefit Bank site or online.
Since beginning operations, the Benefit Bank has helped more than 19,000 Ohioans claim more than $23 million in tax credits and other work supports --$11 million in 2008 alone. However, more than $1.6 billion in tax credits and other supports go unclaimed by eligible Ohioans who do not apply.
If you need additional information about tax and benefits assistance in local communities, please call (800) 648-1176.