Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS)
Central Ohio's independent refugee resettlement agency since 1995. Offers immigration legal services, employment placement, ESL and citizenship classes, health and wellness programs, and case management for refugees and immigrants.
Migration and Refugee Services
Resettles refugees admitted through the federal Refugee Admissions Program in the Cleveland area and welcomes asylees. Provides initial resettlement, English classes, vocational training, mentoring, affordable immigration legal services, and access to the Ohio Center for Survivors of Torture.
Refugee Services
Dayton's refugee resettlement program. Case managers handle job placement, ESOL referrals, medical and mental health connections, school enrollment, and self-sufficiency planning for newly arrived refugees.
Refugee Resettlement Services
Cincinnati-area reception and placement for refugees and Afghan SIV holders, with case management, employment services, and a youth mentoring program for ages 15 to 24. Serves Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, Warren, and seven surrounding counties.
Homeless Hotline
Single entry point for emergency shelter in Columbus and Franklin County. One 24-hour call connects adults and families to available shelter beds, street outreach, and rapid re-housing.
Men's Shelter at 2100 Lakeside
Cleveland's largest men's emergency shelter, with room for up to 365 men a night plus overflow beds. Men can walk in without an appointment; countywide shelter intake also runs through 211.
Central Access Point (CAP) Helpline
The one number to call for family shelter, substance-use transitional housing, or homeless veteran services in Cincinnati and Hamilton County. CAP places people in shelter but does not pay rent; for rent help it refers to 211.
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.
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Issues certified Ohio birth certificates for $21.50 online, by mail, or in person. The Columbus state office handles same-day birth records weekdays 10 to 2 by credit card; more than 100 local health departments also issue them.
Ohio BMV State ID Card
Ohio residents without a driver license can get a state ID card at any deputy registrar agency for $10 (4-year) or $19 (8-year); the BMV lists free cards for residents 17 and older with no license. Bring proof of name, birth date, Social Security number, legal presence, and Ohio residency.
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.
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.