So happy to chat about the Habitat ministry and the exciting changes at Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Canton with our good friends at The Light 95.9!
We’re broadcasting the mission of Habitat and ReStore over the airwaves! In this interview, we’re chatting with Pam Cook and Gary Rivers from News-Talk 1480 WHBC.
Before you begin your application for housing with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, let’s review a few eligibility requirements. Please answer each of the following questions.
Income from the following sources can be considered:
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.
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:
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.
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.
To designate Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio as a beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan or other financial account, please use the following information:
Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio (Tax Identification Number: 34-1595372) located at 1400 Raff Road SW, Canton, Ohio 44710
The following language may help you and your attorney when drawing up a bequest that meets your needs.
If you intend to leave an outright gift of cash, securities, or other property by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset, or a fixed percentage of your estate to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio to be used for general purposes:
“After taking care of all expenses, debts and other provisions, I give, devise and bequeath ___ percent of the rest and residue [or $___ if a specific amount] to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, an Ohio-based charitable organization [Tax ID# 34-1595372] currently with administrative offices at 1400 Raff Road SW, Canton, Ohio 44710.”
If you intend to make an outright bequest for a specific purpose, such as to support advocacy or disaster response:
“I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its charitable purposes, including but not limited to ___________ use and purpose.”
If you wish to make a contingency gift so that Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio will receive a portion of your estate if your named beneficiary does not survive you:
“If any of the beneficiaries named in this will should die before becoming entitled to receive their distributive share of my estate, I direct my trustee to pay or transfer the share to which such beneficiary would otherwise be entitled to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio for its unrestricted use and purpose.”