Prevention, Retention, and Contingency
ALL requests for rent and utility assistance must go through United Way 211 or (800) 275-6106.
See below for additional PRC services available through Lorain County Department of Job and Family Services
What is PRC?
The Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) program is designed to help families residing in Lorain County overcome immediate barriers to achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency. The PRC program has become a critical tool for Ohio counties to help families become and stay self-supporting.
PRC is a non-assistance program that provides services and nonrecurring, short-term, crisis-oriented benefits that are directly related to one of the four purposes of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program (reference 45 CFR 260.20), which do not meet the federal definition of assistance.
Lorain County partners with our local nonprofit organizations to fund a variety of programs that are focused on supporting working families within our community.
Who is Eligible?
Services can be funded for residents of Lorain County that are a United States citizen or qualified alien. The assistance group must include a minor child or pregnant individual. Services and benefits are also available to a non-custodial parent with current child support obligation being met through CSEA or Seek Work Program whose minor child does not live in the same household.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that a specific change in circumstance occurred within the 3 months prior to the PRC application contributed to the current, demonstrated need. The change in circumstance must be an unexpected, life-altering event including but not limited to job loss or reduction of hours/wages due to no fault of the client, an accident or illness resulting in the client not being able to work, natural disaster or fire, household member who provided monetary support is no longer in the home, or addition of a household member.
Applicants must show economic need and have household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for all programs.
INCOME GUIDELINES: PRC FPG 200% (effective 01/15/2025)
|
Family Size |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
Maximum Gross Monthly Income |
2,609 |
3,525 |
4,442 |
5,359 |
6,275 |
7,192 |
8,109 |
9,025 |
PRC SERVICES: Nonrecurring benefits and services may encompass more than one payment per year, as long as the payment provides short-term relief and addresses a crisis situation rather than meeting ongoing or recurring needs.
| Auto Insurance - Liability up to 4 months' coverage | Emergency Hot Water Tank Repairs or Replacement |
| Car Repairs - Not regular maintenance | Emergency Furnace Repairs or Replacement |
| Driver's Education Classes | Emergency HVAC Repairs |
| Other Employment Related Expenses | Property Taxes - 1/2 year delinquent or longer |
| School Fees | Pest Removal Services |
| GED Incentive Payment |
How do I apply for PRC Assistance?
- Click here for more information.
Questions regarding the PRC program or application status, please call 1-844-640-6446. To reach PRC, you will need to follow the prompts from the Call Center Main Menu as listed below.
CALL CENTER PROMPTS:
- Language Selection (Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, et cetera).
- Select option 2 (for help with Medicaid, Food, Cash Assistance benefits, or Child Care).
- If prompted, enter zip code and select county.
- If prompted, enter 9 digit SSN and 8 digit DOB.
- Choose option 3 to apply for benefits.
- Choose option 5 for PRC. A call center representative will then direct your call.