Life on $11 an Hour in Ohio: One Parent, Two Kids, and the Reality of Making Ends Meet 

When Ohio’s minimum wage rises to $11 per hour on Jan. 1, 2026, many workers will see more money in their paychecks. But for a single parent raising two children, even that modest increase still means living very close to the financial edge — and qualifying for public benefits that help families cover food, health care, child care, and housing. 

Below is a real-world look at how a household like this could survive — not just get by — on the new minimum wage. 

What $11 an Hour Looks Like for a Parent With Two Kids 

At $11/hour, a full-time worker makes: 

• Weekly before taxes: $440 

• Monthly before taxes: about $1,907 

• Annual before taxes: about $22,880 

After typical payroll and federal income taxes, take-home pay might be closer to $1,500–$1,700 per month — which is below poverty level for a family of three. (Illinois data shows that families with incomes below about $26,650 annual are near the 100 % Federal Poverty Level for 3 people in 2025.) Jarvis Law Office 

At that income level, this parent would likely qualify for several public assistance programs designed to bridge the gap. 

SNAP (Food Assistance) 

Ohio’s SNAP program helps families buy groceries and nutrition supplies. 

• To qualify, a household generally must have a gross monthly income at or below 130 % of the Federal Poverty Level — for a household of 3, that’s around $4,442/month gross. Snap Screener 

• With a gross of about $1,907/month on $11/hour, this family is well below the eligibility cap and would likely qualify. 

• Monthly SNAP benefits vary by income, expenses, and deductions, but could be several hundred dollars per month — helping stretch the grocery budget. 

👉 SNAP doesn’t count solely earnings — it considers total household income and allowable deductions like dependent care and shelter costs. Ohio Benefits 

Medicaid (Health Insurance) 

Health care coverage is one of the biggest family expenses — but it’s one benefit most low-income families can get. 

Ohio Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to families with low incomes. The exact income limits vary by household size and program, but for a family of three, parents and kids are often eligible at income levels up to several thousand dollars per month. Cloudinary 

• For example, Medicaid charts show coverage categories where caregivers and children can qualify with monthly incomes below roughly $3,465–$4,442 or higher, depending on the specific plan. Cloudinary 

• With this family’s income, the children — and possibly the parent — would qualify for Medicaid, meaning little to no premiums and major health care cost relief. 

Child Care Assistance 

Child care can easily top $500–$800 per child per month — a staggering cost for a family on $11/hour. 

Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program helps families pay for daycare or preschool: 

• Families must generally have a gross monthly income under 145 % of the Federal Poverty Level to start receiving help — for three people, that’s about $3,220/month. Policy Matters Ohio 

• Once enrolled, they may continue receiving assistance until their income climbs above higher limits (sometimes as high as 300 % FPL). Policy Matters Ohio 

Because this single parent’s income is far below 145 % FPL, they would likely qualify for child-care subsidies, which can cover most of the cost of approved child care providers. 

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Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program 

Affordable housing is another major expense. Ohio families can apply for federally funded Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), which help pay rent in the private market. 

To qualify for a voucher: 

• Families typically must earn below 50 % of the Area Median Income, and many vouchers are reserved for households at 30 % or less of median income. Lucas Metropolitan Housing 

• HUD publishes income limits by county and region — for example, in the Toledo metro area, very low income limits for a family of 3 might be around $42,700 annually (roughly 30 % AMI). HUD User 

At about $22,880 annual income, this family qualifies as very low income and could be eligible to receive a housing voucher, making rent much more affordable. However, many local housing authorities have long waiting lists, so eligible families might wait months or years before receiving help. Lucas Metropolitan Housing 

Additional Supports That Could Help 

Beyond the big four (SNAP, Medicaid, child care, housing): 

• WIC (Women, Infants & Children) can provide nutrition assistance for children under 5 — often accessible to families with incomes below 185 % of FPL. Food and Nutrition Service 

• Head Start or Early Head Start programs can offer free early education for low-income families. Wikipedia 

• Ohio Works First (TANF) offers cash assistance, though income limits are very low and benefits modest. UHCAN Ohio 

• Utility assistance (HEAP) can help families pay heating or cooling bills during peak months. UHCAN Ohio 

What This All Means 

For a parent earning $11/hour in Ohio with two kids: 

✔️ They would likely qualify for SNAP to help buy groceries.
✔️ They would probably qualify for Medicaid health coverage for themselves and their children.
✔️ They could receive child care subsidies that make daycare affordable or free.
✔️ They likely qualify for Section 8 housing assistance, though timing depends on waitlists. 

These supports don’t replace a living wage, but together they can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs, making it possible for families to afford health care, food, housing, and care while parents work. 

Monthly Budget: Single Parent, Two Kids, Making $11/Hour in Ohio 

Assumptions 

• Full-time work (40 hrs/week) 

• $11/hour 

• Monthly gross: ~$1,907 

• Estimated take-home: ~$1,600
  (after federal taxes, payroll taxes, and minimal state withholding) 

❌ Budget WITHOUT Public Assistance 

❗ Reality Check 

• Monthly take-home: ~$1,600 

• Monthly expenses: ~$3,820 

• Shortfall: –$2,220 

👉 Without assistance, this household is financially impossible, even with perfect budgeting.  

✅ Budget WITH Public Assistance 

This version assumes the family qualifies for SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, and housing help. 

 📊 Side-by-Side Impact 

• $11/hour does not come close to covering basic costs for a family of three 

• Public assistance doesn’t mean “extra” — it means survival 

• Benefits turn an impossible budget into a barely balanced one 

• Even with help, there’s little room for emergencies, car repairs, or savings