LISBON - Area residents can't withdraw money from the Benefit Bank, but they can find out whether they're eligible for monetary benefits such as food stamps, health care coverage, home energy help, prescription assistance, child care aid or tax credits.

Beth LaClair, Community Action Agency of Columbiana County case manager, explained the Benefit Bank is a web-based computer program which screens low and moderate-income residents for eligibility for a variety of assistance programs. The program can also be used to file tax returns or fill out federal student aid forms for college.

CAA received a grant in January to pay for a case worker for the Benefit Bank, with residents able to walk in or call for an appointment with a counselor at 330-424-4013 to check their eligibility instead of filling out a lengthy application for some of the different benefits first.

The program is offered through a public-private partnership between the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks and more than 400 faith-based, non-profit, governmental and private sector partners, a CAA press release said. More than 2,700 trained counselors are staffing the more than 700 Benefit

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Bank sites across the state.

CAA Emergency Services Director Ruth Allison said the agency decided to get involved because they see so many residents who won't go to the Department of Job and Family Services but will come to CAA to the food pantry or for help through the winter heating assistance program.

More than $1.6 billion in tax credits and other work supports go unclaimed by Ohio residents who may be eligible for the programs but don't apply. LaClair said people either don't want to fill out the paperwork for food stamps or other programs or they think they'll have to give up any assets they have. As of Oct. 1, she said the asset test was eliminated.

"People think if you own a car and have a home, you're not eligible and that's not the case," she said.

Residents can do a quick check, then if they learn they're eligible, they can continue the process and fill out a complete application. Allison said they can mail them the results of the quick check and then it's up to them whether they continue the process.

In July, August and September, the agency did 1,200 quick checks and processed 500 applications.

The Benefit Bank screens potential eligibility for the following programs: Ohio Medical Assistance Programs, Ohio Food Stamps, Ohio Child Care Benefits, Ohio Home Energy Assistance Program, Ohio Prescription Assistance, Ohio School Meals Program or Medicare Rx Extra Help.

The program can also be used to input information and print applications for the following programs: Ohio Cash Assistance, Ohio Women, Infants and Children, Ohio Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps, Ohio Child and Family Health Services and Ohio Senior Community Service Employment Program.

The Web site about the Benefit Bank can be accessed at obb.ohio.gov or www.thebenefitbank.com.

Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net