Emergency Assistance

Falling behind on bills or facing an unexpected expense can be overwhelming but you don't have to figure it out alone.

Our Emergency Assistance program is one part of our larger Family Support Center. To receive emergency assistance, families enroll in the Family Support Center and participate with our team. This helps us understand your situation and work together to provide support that's right for you. Please note that funding for emergency assistance is not always available, but we will always work with you to find the resources you need.

The Ohio County Family Support Center operates entirely on grant funding from private foundations and the Department of Human Services Bureau for Family Assistance.  Funding for Emergency Assistance is not always available.  

To receive emergency assistance, you must:

• Live in Ohio County, WV
• Be the parent/caregiver for a child under 18 years old at least 50% of the time. 
• Participate in Ohio County FSC programming
• Have an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Limit

We can assist financially once per 365 days.  If you have received financial assistance from us within the last 12 months, we will be happy to speak with you to determine the best resources to assist you.  You may also visit our home page and download our Ohio County Resource Guide.  Common referrals for emergency assistance include Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

To speak with our staff, please call (304) 905-0205 or email familysupport@ocfrn.com

You will need to provide the following documentation if you are eligible to receive emergency assistance:

• Proof of a child under 18 living in your home.  Most often, this will be a letter from DoHS listing everyone in your household. We also accept documentation from your child's school. 
• A copy of the bill you need assistance with.  This bill must be in your name.  You do not need a shut off notice or eviction notice. 
• A copy of your ID or driver's license.  If you don't have one, we will work with you to obtain one.  

• If you meet eligibility requirements, the maximum amount we can assist with is $300.  
• When you first know you will need assistance, that is the time to reach out.  If your bill is over $300, we will connect you to other organizations who may be able to assist.  Once your bill is paid down to $300, we will schedule you for an intake.  
• Families who already participate with our program receive priority for emergency assistance.  Check out our Programs tab and look at the FSC calendar to see our schedule for Circle of Parents, Tuning into Teens, 24/7 Dad, and other opportunities. 
• If you receive emergency assistance from us, you are required to participate in programming before we can pay the vendor.  
• All recipients of emergency assistance are required to participate in Mobility Coaching.  You will complete a self-assessment at intake and receive follow up calls from our case manager to set goals and check in on progress.  This is led by you, with goals that are most important to you.