Emergency Aid

Emergency Aid for Needy Families

The Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) program helps families overcome immediate barriers to self-sufficiency. Benefits and services are for unemployed and low-income employed families or individuals in need of non-recurrent, short-term, crisis-oriented benefits to help during a crisis.

Services Covered

  • Rent / mortgage
  • Automobile repairs
  • Utilities
  • Home repairs
  • Emergency shelter
  • Legal fees for victims of domestic violence
  • Assistance with K-12 school fees, clothing and supplies
  • GED testing fees
  • Childcare for Kinship Caregivers
  • Tools, equipment for employment
  • License and testing fees
  • Uniforms for work or school
  • Job coaching, job retention

Who May Be Eligible

  • Needy families with minor children
  • Pregnant women
  • Victims of domestic violence
  • Kinship Caregivers
  • Non-custodial parents of minor children (Ohio residents not living in same household as child, cooperating with Child Support Enforcement Agency)

Verifications Needed

  • ID for the applicant
  • Documentation regarding your emergency
  • Verification of all income within 30 days of application
  • Verification of all monthly expenses
  • Child support documents or proof that child is in your household
  • Verification of placement from Children's Services for Kinship Caregivers
  • Proof of residency
  • Social security numbers for all household members

Eligibility

U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines are used to determine financial eligibility for PRC.

Apply

  1. Download and complete the PRC Application (PDF). You can also e-file the form.
  2. Email your completed application or bring to any JFS dropbox.
  3. You will be contacted by an agency representative to complete a phone interview.

Please note, there is a monetary cap on PRC and assistance is limited to once every 12 months per covered service.

Kinship caregivers in need of assistance should contact their Children Services caseworker to apply.