Shelter for Women and Families
Dayton's main 24/7 emergency shelter for women and families with children. Residents get a bed, daily meals, clothing, laundry, showers, mail, and housing-focused case management. Men are referred to Homefull's Shelter for Men on South Gettysburg Avenue.
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Northeast Ohio, with intake lines in eight languages and walk-in intake at the downtown Cleveland office. Apply by phone, online, or at neighborhood advice clinics in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties.
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
Civil legal assistance for low-income people in Southwest Ohio, covering housing, benefits, family, and consumer matters, plus a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Start by calling the Legal Aid Line.
Ohio Legal Help
Statewide website with plain-language legal information, court forms, and a Find a Lawyer tool that points to legal aid by county. Covers housing, benefits, driver's license reinstatement, name changes, family safety, and immigration; no phone line, chat only.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
24/7 call-or-text crisis line plus counseling, advocacy, support groups, and a drop-in center with services specifically for survivors of human trafficking, including low-barrier Hep-C testing. Spanish-language services and support for Deaf survivors available.
Women Helping Women
24/7 call-or-text help line, live chat, hospital accompaniment, legal advocacy, and support groups for survivors of domestic violence in Hamilton, Butler, Brown, Adams, and Clermont counties.
Ohio Benefits
Online portal to apply for SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, Ohio Works First cash assistance, and child care in one application using an OHID login. In-person and phone help is through your county Job and Family Services office; the Medicaid Consumer Hotline answers coverage questions.
YWCA Dayton
Runs the 24/7 domestic violence hotline and shelter for Montgomery and Preble counties, with rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, advocacy, and aftercare for survivors leaving abusive situations.
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Statewide coalition that connects survivors anywhere in Ohio to their local domestic violence program. Call the toll-free line or use the Find Help page to reach the agency serving your county.
Ohio 211
Free information and referral line for housing, food, utilities, health care, recovery, and legal help across Ohio. Dial 211 from any phone or use the online chat; coverage is expanding to all 88 counties.
National lines that work in Ohio
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.