Rights
What you are entitled to when you leave care
Rights and supports that exist whether or not anyone told you about them.
What it is
A plain summary of what Ohio provides to young people leaving foster care, and where to get advice that is actually binding.
Why it matters
Support does not end automatically at 18, and several things you may be entitled to are not offered unless you ask by name.
You may be able to stay in care past 18
Ohio's Bridges programme supports young adults after 18 with housing and a caseworker. Eligibility depends on your circumstances, and asking costs nothing.
Bridges and aging outMedicaid can continue to 26
Young people who were in foster care at 18 can usually keep Medicaid until 26, in any state, without an income test. This is one of the most commonly missed entitlements.
Health resourcesEducation money exists specifically for you
The Education and Training Voucher, Ohio Reach and several scholarships are for people with foster care experience. They are not need-blind pots you are competing for at random.
Education resourcesYou have tenant rights from day one
A landlord cannot remove you without going to court, whatever they say. If you are threatened with eviction, get legal advice before you agree to anything or sign anything.
Ohio Legal HelpYou can ask for your own case file
The record kept about you while you were in care is about you, and you can request it. It often contains documents you need.
Where this comes from
Written by the Student Civic Leaders cohort from the public guidance of the organisations below. They own the rules and the current fees; we only explain the process. Where the two differ, believe them, and tell us so we can fix it.
Last reviewed September 2026.
This is information, not legal or financial advice, and rules and fees change. Bridge explains how to get these things and never holds, uploads or stores a document for you. If you get stuck, dial 211 and a person will help you work out the next step.