Celebrate a Tax Holiday Near You

Ohio will have its first tax holiday ever the weekend of August 7-9, 2015. It will give sales tax exemptions for clothing and shoes under $75, as well as school supplies and instructional materials under $20. For more information, call 1 800 304 3211.

This will be a first time ever for Ohio, but other states have had them for years. Here's a list of all the sales tax holidays in various American states for 2015. As noted, many are created to give parents a break on school supplies and are timed accordingly. However, some in the south support the purchase of hurricane supplies, and the forward-thinking states of Georgia and Virginia also give a break on the purchase of Energy Star appliances.  Tennessee gives a break on computer purchases. Check on your state and go to the listed state websites for more detailed information on what is allowed, and what's not.

Still Bonuses Available for Ohio Veterans of Afghanistan

While the deadline has passed for Ohio veterans to apply for a bonus for service in Iraq, veterans of the conflict of Afghanistan are still eligible to apply for a bonus. The president has only declared an end to hostilities in that country recently, and a deadline for veterans in that country has not yet been announced. So check the website, or call 1-877-644-6838.

If you have filed for a bonus as a veteran of Iraq, you need all your documentation ready and submitted by June 30

Free Veteran's Day Meals, 2014 and Free Cat Microchipping in Detroit

Two items: a big list of free and discounted meals for veterans in honor of Veteran's Day 2014 can be found at the Military Wallet. Be sure to read the part about proof of eligibility. The site also has excellent stuff about military benefits and other financial info for veterans.

And the Michigan Humane Society is offering free microchipping for 2000 cats on a first come first serve basis. Microchipping helps positively identify lost pets. For a list of more financial help for pet owners, see these Freemoneyatemybrain entries.

If you live in the Cincinnati area, check out the Pet Alliance of Ohio's Microchip Ohio program, which is starting a pilot program of low cost microchipping in Ohio.

Time Running Out for Ohio Veterans of Iraq. File for Bonus by the End of 2014

The Ohio veteran's bonus is continuing, with a deadline for applying for those veterans who served more than 90 days in Iraq from March 2003 through the end of 2011 coming up. Those veterans, and their survivors, have until December 31, 2014 to file for their bonus.  You can apply online, but if you mail your entry, it must be postmarked by December 31st.

For veterans of Afghanistan there is currently no deadline, and will not a deadline until U.S. involvement is over.

For more information, see the websites or call. 1--877-644-6838.



 

If You Are Already a Homeowner in Ohio, a New Program

You've heard about first time homebuyer programs. These programs are as thick as fleas and can be found at every state housing agency, and are aimed at buyers who have not owned a home in the last three years.  But Ohio has a program to help current homeowners--or those who have owned a home in the last three years--buy yet another home. 

Next Home is the program for people contemplating that next home in Ohio.  You must have decent credit (at least 640), and there are some income limits. The assistance comes in the form of down payment assistance (2 1/2%) that is forgiven 20% per year that you live in the house, till it all goes away in 5 years.  Check it out of you seek assistance, but are already wan Ohio homeowner.

Low-Cost Loans to Finance an Employee Buyout, or Grow an Employee-Owned Firm

Last year we featured some information on funding available for worker's cooperatives.  We have found another resource for workers attempting an employee buyout in Ohio or areas near the state of Ohio.  It's the Common Wealth Revolving Fund, which makes available loans of up to $250,000 either for employee buyouts or to finance growth in employee-owned companies.  The fund is centered in the Kent State University Employee Ownership Center, which also offers consultation, training and development for current companies as well as those contemplating a buyout. 

The EOC not only offers consultation to those companies, but business owners that are thinking of exiting, or thinking of selling out to their employees.  They also host seminars and educational programs for business owners who are looking to leave or sell their businesses, to employees or otherwise.  If you are involved in any of these situations, their website would be a valuable resource.

Free Financial Education and Other Good Stuff at State Treasurer's Offices

The state's treasurer's office is a place that hardly anybody thinks about in their daily lives, unlike, say, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  But they can offer a treasurer trove of good information for individuals.

In many states, they are in charge of finding unclaimed funds on the state level, like insurance payments, bank deposits, and other money owed.  They may be the state agency involved in 529 college saving programs, and they may offer linked-deposit accounts and lower interest loans for business or agriculture, or even individuals such as the state of Ohio's various programs.

Often they are in charge of financial education programs.  In Ohio, for instance, there is another series of free financial education programs going through the state this summer, Smart Money Choices is a free, half-day seminar on with sessions on Social Security, investment, credit and debt, student funding and debt management, and more.  They will be holding five sessions throughout the state in the summer of 2014. 

Many state's treasurer's sites also have good links to financial education sites online.  Find your own state treasurer's office, and check it out-you may find some good money and financial education programs.

HEAP Extension For Ohio for 2014

The past winter has been brutal, with a heavy demand for heating fuel.  The state of Ohio has responded by extending the application period for heating assistance.  Usually, it's cut off at the end of March, but for this winter, the deadline for HEAP applications is April 15th. 

For a list of Ohio agencies that will take your HEAP application, see this list, and find an application here. 

For contact information in your state, see the liheap state directory.

Vouchers to Take the GED in Ohio

The GED (General Educational Development) test, the high school equivalency examination, went to a computer form in 2014,  and had a huge increase in cost ($120).  People who need the GED to help them in the job hunt rushed to complete their tests last year, and some states looked for alternatives to the GED. 

Here in Ohio, there is some financial help for people who are taking the GED for the first time.  The state is offering vouchers worth up to $80 if the test-taker works with a Career-Technical Planning District center in the state on career planning.  You can find the nearest center to you from this county-by-county directory.Then, follow these instructions to get the voucher. 

To find out information about GED and adult education in your area, contact your state's office in charge of adult education.

Some Relief in Ohio, Minnesota and Kansas for the Propane Crisis

The disruption of propane supplies has sparked response through the country.  Unfortunately, this has pretty much been in the form of relaxed shipping and trucking regulations.  Unlike natural gas and electric companies, there is little in the way of outright financial assistance.

But some relief in various forms is available in some places in the U.S.  In Ohio, Prism Propane can't cut the costs--or the shortage--but they are evenly short-filling their fuel to their customers.  They are also offering their customers electric heaters at cost to help them fill the heating void.  If you're a customer, call 877-887-7476 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to reserve yours.

In a couple of states, there are some financial relief programs just for propane users.  In Minnesota, hotlines have been set up for propane users who need to be directed to the state liheap program or, for those who don't qualify, to nonprofit agencies that can help.  Several sources of help have sprung up, and the information is here.

In Kansas, a propane energy relief program  has been set up.  Applications will be taken through March 4th from families making between 130% and 180% of the poverty level.  Households with lower income than that are encouraged to apply for the regular liheap program.

For all heating issues, try your own state's low-income heating programs to see what they may have for you.

The States and the Feds Make Finding Benefits Easier Than Ever

This fall, the state of Ohio decided to make searching for all its benefits for individuals more centralized.  Despite what you may have read from frauds and ignoramuses, "free money" and "grants" by the government are just benefits, like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, plus other helpful stuff like child care for the working poor, heating assistance, job training, etc.  So if you need cash help with your life, you are in fact looking for "benefits." 

In Ohio, you need to start with the benefits page.  It directly links you to medicaid (which Ohio decided to expand in the last few months), but also heating assistance, employment, cash assistance, WIC, and unemployment insurance, and links to more types of assistance, too.  In New York state, the bennies page is mybenefits.  However, if your state does not have a one-stop shop for benefits of all kinds, try the federal benefit page, and the state-by-state benefit page set up for easy browsing. If you wish to search for benefits within your state, a good strategy might be to go to google and simply type: benefits (name of your state) and site:.gov.That last bit is important--it limits your search to ONLY sites with the .gov designation.

However, don't forget to check for community action agencies in your area.  These are nonprofit rather than government agencies. Often, states contract out benefits like job training and energy assistance to them, and the people working there are knowledgeable about programs that you could qualify for.  Find the community action agency that covers your area here.

ONE (Ohio's New Entrepreneur) Fund, and other Accelerators for New Business

The Ohio Third Frontier program, part of the Ohio Development Agency's effort to grow new high tech firms in the state, has opened up applications for its ONE (Ohio's New Entrepreneurs) Accelerator program.  This is a seed accelerator program like many in the private sector for new and developing Ohio high tech businesses.  They choose the most promising high-tech applicants, give them a "boot camp" in entrepreneurship and fund raising, then let them make their pitch to potential investors.  Applications for this go-round of training and mentorship will be taken through February 7th.  Since the program was created to develop high-tech in Ohio, firms are limited to those in the state.

However, ONE is not unique.  Other states, like Wisconsin and New York, have similar programs.In the private and nonprofit sectors, similar programs exist.  In the for-profit sector, promising firms are mentored and groomed to get financing in exchange for equity in the firm.  Government and nonprofit firms operate to foster economic development in their states and communities.  If you are looking for a seed accelerator outfit, here's one list from Seed-DB.  Here's another list, from those accelerators that participated in last year's national accelerator's Demo Day.  Accelerators often specialize high-tech or information tech firms, but they may have other types of specialization.  You can also check your own state's economic development office to see if they run a program, or have a list of those operating in your area.  Before you check into it, read this article in Entrepreneur on how to see if a seed accelerator may be for you and your firm.

Latest on the Ohio Veterans Bonus Deadline

As stated previously, a big deadline is coming up for Ohio veterans of the Persian Gulf War, who served between  August 2, 1990 and March 3, 1991.  The deadline for getting your Ohio bonus is indeed December 31, 2013.  However, less know is that the bonus deadline for other Ohio veterans is different.  According to this fact sheet, the deadline for veterans that served in Iraq between March 19, 2003 and December 31, 2011, is not until December 31, 2014--a full year later.  And if a veteran has served in Afghan since October 7, 2011, they can file for their Ohio veteran's bonus until 3 years after the President declares and end to U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.  That deadline has yet to be determined as of this writing, of course.  While the size of bonus is determined by length of service, the maximum a veteran can get is $1,000 for in-country service in either Iraq or Afghanistan. 

For more information on eligibility requirements, see this page.  To talk to someone about the details, contact the Veterans Bonus Program at 1-877-OHIO VET (1-877-644-6838), or call your county veteran's office.

Veteran's Educational Benefits on the State Level

In other posts, we note that aid to veterans is not only given out at the federal level.  In Ohio, emergency help is also given out at the county level.  Likewise, many states have state veteran bureaus and aid of their own.  And there may be other forms of help, like help in paying for higher education.

The American Legion website has done a roundup of state-level educational assistance for veterans.  It outlines which state agency provides the assistance, and what qualifications you have to meet to get it.  I did notice one thing--while poking around for other stuff, of course--is that there is a program I had not heard of for Ohio veterans.  That's the Troops to Teachers program to transition interested veterans into careers in teaching by offering stipends to help defray the cost of getting teacher certification. If you are a veteran with an interest in teaching, you may want to check it out. 

Energy Incentive Programs: Information Dump

Last month, I was asked to speak before a Toledo Rotary Club group, and the topic I chose was energy-saving incentive programs.  Ask stated a million times on this blog, to find out how to get or save cash, simply figure out what the government wants people to do.  And they want us to save energy in a big way.  So here's the handout I gave the Rotarians:

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiencies -- www.dsireusa.org. A nationwide listing of state and local energy reduction incentives.

Home Weatherization -- http://www.nhstoledo.org/weatherization-services/ Tune-up, repair and insulation for homeowners within 200% of poverty level in Lucas County.  Community action agencies administer this throughout the state.

Ecolink.  Ohio State Treasurer’s Office -- http://ohiotreasurer.gov/ecolink.  A linked deposit program that can lower a homeowner’s cost of borrowing for energy improvements by 3%.

ReEnergize Ohio-- http://ohiotreasurer.gov/ReEnergizeOhio. A linked deposit program that can reduce a business owner’s cost of borrowing for energy improvements by 3%.

Energy Loan Fund.  Ohio Development Services Agency -- http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_energyloanfund.htm.  An Ohio state fund for lower-cost energy loans for business.  Must create energy savings of at least 15%, in Ohio-based businesses of less than 150 employees.

First Energy’s Residential Rebates -- https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/save_energy/save_energy_ohio.html.  Rebates available for turning in older, less energy efficient appliances from First Energy of Ohio.

Nationwide List of Energy Rebates -- http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate_locator.

Rural Energy for America Program -- http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_Reap.html. Grants and loans for the development of biomass and renewable energy projects in rural areas.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency -- http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index.

Better Building Program:

For businesses -- http://www.toledoportauthority.org/Programs/BetterBuildingsNWO.aspx.

For homeowners -- https://www.columbiagasohio.com/residential/save-energy-money!/home-performance-solutions. 

Notice that many of these--but not all--are local and state.  Also, many are for business.  They include (mostly) plans for cheaper loans, or tax incentives, rather than outright giveaways, and some have been mentioned before in other entries on energy efficiency.  

But there are some worth pointing out--the Rural Energy for America Program, which gives grants and loans for biomass and renewable energy programs across rural America, and the nationwide list of energy rebates. There's also www.dsireusa.org, which has state and federal tax incentives.  Not all of them have been phased out by the feds, and some can still be cashed in on.  For nationwide information and local partners to the Better Buildings Initative, see more here.

 

Financial Aid for Poor People to Pay for Hospital Care

How much aid can you get if you need hospitalization, and don't have much income?  That depends on where you live. According to insure.com,   The Emergency Treatment and Labor Act of 1986 provides that hospitals that accept Medicare must provide screening, emergency care and appropriate transfers, regardless of your insurance coverage.  However, they do not include a right to ongoing care.  What if you need to stay in a hospital?

There is the Hill-Burton Act, passed in the 1940s that requires hospitals that have received federal loans to give free or reduced cost to indigents.  There are about 170 facilities still under that legal obligation.  More on how to apply for assistance--if you are a patient at one of them, and indigent-- is here.

Then there's state law.  Various states have laws that cover, or help defray, the cost of hospital stays for people living below or near the poverty line (This is the level by size of household for 2013).  In Ohio, the Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) is open for Ohio residents that live at or below the poverty level.  You have up to three years from the time you are notified to apply for this aid.  Here's a sample application form. You apply at the hospital where you received treatment.  For more in-depth information, see this FAQ section by the Ohio Hospital Association. Here's more information from Human Arc.  Remember that this ONLY covers the cost of the hospital, not doctors, the pharmacy, etc. 

What if you don't live in Ohio?  Here's a website by Community Catalyst, an advocacy group for medical consumers, with a state-by-state rundown of "free" and "charity" care and the laws around them.

Declaration of No Income--Where Do You Get Them?

Fall is here, and the end of the summer cooling emergency that helps pay with summer energy bills.  If you go to the Ohio Development Agency to find the new HEAP forms, you will see this--a zero income self-declaration form. Along with the same form in Spanish.  If you indeed have zero income, and say so on the Ohio energy assistance form--you will need this form filled out, too.

People often ask where they can get a zero income statement, or declaration form.  There isn't a national form, but the human service office in your state or county may have one.  Many social service agencies have zero income forms that are peculiar to them, and if you don't use them, you will end up delaying your assistance.  When applying for any type of assistance, be it heating, food, or general assistance--and you don't have any income at all--be sure to ask if they have a zero assistance declaration or statement that needs to be filled out in addition to any application forms. You could also try to google "zero income" and the name of your state, but a worker in the agency to which you apply should know, too.

Finding Low Income Apartments Anywhere in the U.S.

While HUD (the Department of Housing and Urban Development) doesn't do direct grants and loans, preferring to work through state and local governments and nonprofits, they do have a good place to look for low-income and subsidized apartments throughout the 50 states.  It's their page for low-rent apartments.  Many people want to find subsidized housing ahead of moving there, and this is a good place to start.  You input your state, and in the next step you have to specify your town, zip code, or county.  You are also allowed to specify your type of apartment (disabled, elderly, or all types), and how many bedrooms you want.  As in dating or other choice-driven endeavors, you are better off if you are less picky.  You will then get a list of rentals that fit your criteria, and contact information.

In the state of Ohio, a wonderful website exists separate from this that goes into more detail.  The Ohio Rental Housing Locator allows you to search for a range of rents, limit your search to places with current vacancies, disability support features, and bedrooms.  It also has a link to the Coalition of Homelessness and Housing in Ohio with a search box for fining immediate homelessness assistance.  There's a good link on Ohio landlord-tenant law and a link to a county-by-county directory of sources to help get home repair assistance.    It's a worthwhile place to explore.

Ohio Persian Gulf Veterans Need to Apply for Their Bonus by December 31st

Ohio voters created a bonus program for Ohio Persian Gulf veterans in 2009, but eligible veterans and service members who do not apply by December 31, 2013, will miss out on money they deserve.  Veterans who served in war zones may get a bonus of $100 per month, up to a maximum of  $1000.  Those in non-combat locations may get up to $50 a month to a maximum of $500.  Family members of veterans killed in action, or from injuries or illnesses that happened in service, may be eligible for a bonus, too.  The bonuses are not subject to state or federal taxes, either.  Bonuses take up to eight weeks from application to receipt.

So how to apply?  Call 1-877-OHIOVET to ask for a paper application, or see this website for links to an online application,  You have to print it out, however, and send supporting documents that prove you're eligible.  Here are the full eligibility requirements.  Please check it out before time runs out!

Money To Help Out Teachers

There's money out there for schools and their projects, but what about individual teachers?  Some small money for small projects exists. 

For K-8 teachers who want money to get a small pet, such as a hamster, guinea pig or gerbil for their classroom, there's Pets in the Classroom.  It's a rebate program in which teachers must first purchase their pet and supplies, then get a rebate from one of the organization's commercial pet supply partners.

For teachers involved in teaching drama, the International Thespian Society sponsors educational programs and workshops for teachers and students involved in drama, and has grants available for teachers who want to attend their conference. 

For Ohio educators at secular schools, the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation offers grants of up to $3000 for innovative teaching in the classroom.  See their website for more details.