North Coast Health Ministry Offers Benefit Bank Counseling

North Coast Health Ministry (NCHM), a free clinic serving the low-income uninsured of Greater Cleveland, is now offering assistance to members of the community wishing to apply for public assistance programs through The Ohio Benefit Bank™. Individuals interested in learning about programs they may be eligible for are guided through an online application process by a trained Benefit Bank counselor. These programs can provide resources to individuals who may be having a hard time making ends meet, and include food and nutrition, health care, energy and child care assistance.

“It is our job as a free clinic to help our patients get access to all forms of assistance for which they are eligible,” says NCHM Executive Director Lee Elmore. “If someone is eligible for Medicaid, for instance, it’s our responsibility to assist them with their application so that they can get the benefits to which they are entitled. Our Ohio Benefit Bank counselors can help them through the process and, in many cases, help them access a range of other supports that positively impact their health, such as food, prescription, and utility assistance.”

Each year, more than $2.4 billion in public assistance goes unclaimed by Ohio citizens. Nearly 97 percent of these dollars are federal funds and must be returned for reallocation to other states or programs. The Ohio Benefit Bank™ strives to assist Ohioans in accessing these dollars because they are revenue for our local economies, they help stabilize families, and they help low- and moderate-income people overcome the devastating effects of poverty.

North Coast Health Ministry’s Benefit Bank counselors are available by appointment only, and counseling takes place at 16110 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. For many of the programs supported by The Ohio Benefit Bank™, certain income guidelines must be met. Other programs have income guidelines as well as resource guidelines that must be met. Individuals who believe they may be eligible for assistance and are interested in scheduling an appointment with a counselor should call 216-228-7878.

About North Coast Health Ministry

North Coast Health Ministry is the West Side’s free clinic for the low-income uninsured, serving more than 2,500 patients who have no other route to health care. With the support of approximately 120 volunteer physicians, nurses and other caregivers, NCHM is able to provide primary health care, specialty referrals, prescription assistance, and social service referrals to the medically underserved. Founded in 1986, North Coast Health Ministry is a bridge to better health for our medically underserved neighbors in need.

About The Ohio Benefit Bank

The Ohio Benefit Bank is an Internet-based program that enables Ohioans to access a suite of applications that are administered through multiple agencies and organizations. By funneling many applications through one process, The Ohio Benefit Bank™ makes the application process simpler for those in need. The Ohio Benefit Bank is implemented through a public private partnership between the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, the State of Ohio, and over 1,100 faith-based and community organizations across Ohio.