For the Public

Any statements pertaining to the law contained on this website are intended solely to provide broad, general information, not legal advice. Readers should seek advice from a licensed attorney with regard to any specific legal issues.

I need my driver's license back - are there payment plans for those who owe fees? 

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers payment plans to people who owe fees in order to reinstate their driver’s license right away.   To be eligible for the payment plan, a person must owe at least $150, have met all the other reinstatement requirements, show current proof of insurance, not be under suspension or have pending suspensions, and not be on a court-ordered payment plan.  More information about the payment plan, and the application form, visit  this BMV website.  The completed application, $50, and proof of insurance should be submitted to any deputy registrar license agency or reinstatement center, or by mail to: Ohio BMV Attn: Revenue Management/Points P.O. Box 16521 Columbus, OH 43216.  Note there is an additional $10 service fee for paying at a Deputy Registrar license agency. 

New online access to Social Security Administration info through online account

You can create an online, my Social Security account to verify your earnings, see an estimate of future benefits if you’re still working, or manage your monthly benefits once you begin receiving payments.

You can also check the status of your claim or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card, and get an instant benefit verification letter.

For more information and to create an account, visit this Social Security Administration website.

Common Sense Legal Tools
now available online to prepare legal documents for free!

Access online tools at
http://ohiolegalhelp.org/self-help-forms/
to complete personalized legal documents

Using these online tools, a person can apply for a civil protection order, answer an eviction complaint, complete health care directives, apply to seal a criminal record, request the return of a security deposit, answer a credit card debt lawsuit, apply for a divorce without children, answer a foreclosure complaint, apply to waive court filing fees, or create a simple will.


The program does not provide legal advice or individual legal help from an attorney.
It will help you prepare forms that you will file without an attorney.

I am a Tenant – Can I call/text my questions about my rights & responsibilities?

Tenants can now call Legal Aid’s Tenant Information Line at 216.861.5955 with questions about their rights and responsibilities.  Tenants can call between the hours 9am-5pm and leave a brief message with their housing question and someone will call them back within 24 business hours. 

Tenants can text Legal Aid at 216.242.1544 for info about responding to an eviction, requesting return of a security deposit, problems with housing conditions and lead poisoning. 
•    For help responding to an eviction complaint text FAQ EVICTION. 
•    For information on how to request a return of a security deposit text FAQ DEPOSIT.
•    For information on how to rent deposit text FAQ REPAIRS. 
•    For lead poisoning information text FAQ LEAD.

United Way of Greater Lorain County 2-1-1

What is United Way of Greater Lorain County First Call for Help?
Every day in Lorain County, someone is in need of essential services - from finding substance abuse treatment to securing food for their family. Faced with these problems, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary and readily available services because they don't know where to start. United Way of Greater Lorain County 211 assists over 10,000 callers in finding services to meet their needs each year.

What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number that connects individuals with resources in the community. 2-1-1 provides individuals with information about and referrals to human services for every day needs and can also help them in crisis situations. 2-1-1 is a central number to call when individuals and families need services, or when they want to make a meaningful contribution of time or goods.

Is 2-1-1 free?
Yes! All 2-1-1 services are absolutely free.

Is 2-1-1 always available?
Yes! Our 2-1-1 program is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a result, people can find available help whenever the need arises.

Is my call confidential?

Yes! Your call is completely confidential. Our staff will ask for basic information including age and zip code in order to provide an appropriate referral.

Is 2-1-1 available in other locations?
As of 2013, over 90% of the United States population has access to 2-1-1. Visit www.211.org to search for 2-1-1 Information and Referral services in other communities.

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
It is the function of United Way of Greater Lorain County 211 to provide information about and referrals to a broad range of human service agencies throughout the Lorain County area. It is the intent of the program to provide as much information as possible to individuals who call to enable them to make informed decisions about which of the available resources may best meet their needs. While we strive to give the most accurate and appropriate information and/or referrals possible, United Way of Greater Lorain County 211 is not responsible for the quality of service delivered by any agency to which a caller is referred. 211 Staff refer to available agencies; they do not recommend one over another.

It shall be United Way of Greater Lorain County 211's practice to maintain as comprehensive a file as possible of agencies and programs whose services are directed toward the solution of human problems. To view our Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria, click here.

Need more information? Dial 2-1-1 or call 1-800-275-6106

“Back to School Amnesty Program” for Driver’s License Suspensions

LORAIN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF JOB & FAMILY SERVICES
42485 NORTH RIDGE ROAD - ELYRIA OH 44035-1057
(440) 284-4401 FAX: (440) 323-3422 TDD: (440) 284-4125


For the month of July 2018, the Lorain County Child Support Enforcement Agency (LCCSEA) is sponsoring a “Back-to-School Amnesty Program” whereby LCCSEA will re-instate a defaulting child support obligor’s driver’s license upon payment of one month’s worth of child support.  The obligor must also pay a $25.00 re-instatement fee to the BMV.  We hope that this program will generate some extra money for the custodial parents as they send their children back to school this year. 

In the Ohio Administrative Code, under chapter 5101:12-55-25, it specifies how a CSEA may suspend a defaulting child support obligor’s license.  As set forth in that rule, LCCSEA provides notice to the obligor that his/her driver’s license will be suspended. In addition to the letter, the obligor must also have received what is commonly known as a “Notice of Default” at the time he or she became delinquent.  LCCSEA attempts to work with obligors and offers several options for reinstatement other than monetary criteria.  For instance, we will re-instate a license if the individual participates in our “seek work” program.  Also, if a newly unemployed obligor provides proof that he/she has applied for unemployment benefits, LCCSEA will monitor the case to determine when unemployment payments begin rather than suspend the license.  LCCSEA has an internal policy with regard to driver’s license suspensions that we follow in addition to the O.A.C. rule.

If you have any questions regarding the Amnesty Program, please contact LCCSEA at the phone number above.



If you need legal assistance,
You can contact Legal Aid any weekday for help.

New intakes are processed via phone:
888-817-3777 (toll free)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 9a.m. – 2 p.m.

If you prefer an in-person intake application, those are handled:
Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
At any of our four Northeast Ohio offices (Cleveland, Elyria, Jefferson & Painsville).

Visit www.lasclev.org for more information!

Listed below are The Legal Aid Society’s upcoming neighborhood clinics. 


CIVIL MATTERS ONLY (NOT CRIMINAL)

SATURDAY, JUNE 30
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Fatima Family Center
6600 Lexington Avenue
More info: https://lasclev.org

TUESDAY, JULY 10
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Oberlin Depot - Oberlin Community Services
240 South Main Street, Oberlin
Call 440-774-6579 for an appointment
More info: https://lasclev.org

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Catholic Charities Ashtabula
4200 Park Avenue, Third Floor
Call 440-992-2121 for an appointment
More info: https://lasclev.org

THURSDAY, JULY 12
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Maple Heights Senior Center
15901 Libby Road, Maple Heights
More info: https://lasclev.org

SATURDAY, JULY 14
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Cleveland Public Library – Lorain Branch
8216 Lorain Avenue
More info: https://lasclev.org

SATURDAY, JULY 28
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Mt. Haven Missionary Baptist Church
3484 Martin Luther King Boulevard
More info: https://lasclev.org

SATURDAY, JULY 28
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Chagrin Park Community Center
7060 Woodland Avenue, Chagrin Falls
More info: https://lasclev.org

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1
US Veterans Only
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Call 216-391-0264 for an appointment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Catholic Charities Ashtabula
4200 Park Avenue, Third Floor
Call 440-992-2121 for an appointment
More info: https://lasclev.org

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Cleveland Public Library – South Brooklyn Branch
4303 Pearl Road
More info: https://lasclev.org

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Oberlin Depot - Oberlin Community Services
240 South Main Street, Oberlin
Call 440-774-6579 for an appointment
More info: https://lasclev.org

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
US Veterans Only
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Call 216-391-0264 for an appointment

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Cleveland Public Library – Glenville Branch
11900 St. Clair Avenue
More info: https://lasclev.org

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Oberlin Depot - Oberlin Community Services
240 South Main Street, Oberlin
Call 440-774-6579 for an appointment
More info: https://lasclev.org

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Catholic Charities Ashtabula
4200 Park Avenue, Third Floor
Call 440-992-2121 for an appointment
More info: https://lasclev.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Naturalization information Clinic
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Call 888-817-3777 for an appointment

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Chagrin Park Community Center
7060mWoodland Avenue, Chagrin Falls
More info: https://lasclev.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
West Side Catholic Center
3135 Lorain Avenue
More info: https://lasclev.org

At these clinics, attorneys are available for free brief advice on legal matters relating to shelter, safety, consumer issues, and legal issues related to health, education, work, income and immigration.

In addition to providing help via neighborhood clinics – people in need can contact Legal Aid anytime for help – see details at: http://lasclev.org/contact/



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