Required Supporting Documentation

After completing the initial application, you must submit supporting documents to complete your file. All documents listed below (if applicable to you and the income you’re claiming) are required within one calendar month of when you submitted the initial application. If all documents are not received by the end of the one-month period, your application is considered incomplete, your file is invalid and closed, and you will need to restart the process. No exceptions.

Submitting Required Documentation

Once you submit your application and processing fee, you will be sent instructions on how to submit all required documentation through a secure online portal. Once all documents have been received, your file will be marked complete and sent for financial review. You will typically be contacted with the outcome 1–2 weeks after document submission.

If you have questions about required documentation, please contact our team:

• Email: application@habitateco.org
• Phone: (330) 915-5888
• Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 8:30am–4:00pm

Identity, Citizenship, and Custody Verification

• Driver’s license or state ID with photo for applicant and co-applicant
• Birth certificates for everyone who will live in the home, including dependents
• Legal guardianship, custody, or adoption papers if applicable (for example: custody of non-biological children or fostering)

Income from Current and Previous Employment — Applicant and/or Co-Applicant

• Most recent full month of paystubs for current job(s). Paystubs must include a year-to-date (YTD) gross income figure.
• Tax documents from the prior two years, including:
  • W-2s for all jobs worked
  • Federal tax returns
  • State tax returns
  • City tax returns

Income from Child Support or Alimony — Applicant and/or Co-Applicant

• Previous year monthly payment history printout
• Current year monthly payment history printout through the current month

Income from Social Service Benefits or Other Fixed Income — Applicant and/or Co-Applicant

This includes income from Social Security, Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Ohio Works First, pensions, Veterans benefits, and similar programs. This does not include food assistance benefits.

• Previous year award letter and/or 1099 showing benefits received
• Current year award letter showing the current monthly benefit amount

Helpful Hints — Tax Documents

Paystubs verify current employment income. Tax documentation (W-2s and tax return forms) verifies two years of income history and confirms that there are no delinquent taxes.

For federal and state tax documentation, only the forms labeled IRS 1040 and Ohio 1040 are required. Additional schedules (for example: Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Schedule J) are not required unless the applicant is self-employed or received unemployment compensation. In those cases, Schedule C (self-employment) or Schedule 1 (unemployment benefits) must also be submitted. City tax returns are typically one page labeled by the city where taxes were filed.

If you do not have copies of your tax documents, you may obtain them directly from the appropriate taxing authorities:

W-2s and/or Federal Returns:
W-2s show where you were employed and how much you earned. A Federal IRS 1040 confirms that you filed your federal taxes. Both are required. You may visit the Ralph Regula Federal Building (301 McKinley Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44702; appointment required), call 330-588-4417, or visit irs.gov to request a transcript of your W-2s or tax return.

State of Ohio:
All Ohio residents are required to file an Ohio 1040. Contact the Ohio Department of Taxation at 1-800-282-1782 or visit tax.ohio.gov to request a transcript of your state tax return.

City Taxes:
If you lived or worked within city limits, you are generally required to file a city tax return. Check boxes 18, 19, and 20 on your W-2 to determine if local taxes were withheld. For Canton, visit the Stark County Office Building (424 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH 44702) or call 330-430-7900. For Massillon, visit the Tax Department at 1 James Duncan Plaza, Massillon, OH 44646 or call 330-830-1709. For other cities, please contact your local city income tax department.