The means test in Ohio: median income
The Ohio median income table and the first step of the means test.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
These are the official U.S. Trustee Program medians for Ohio. If your household's yearly income is below the median for its size, you pass the first step.
- 1 person
- $66,239
- 2 people
- $83,725
- 3 people
- $102,504
- 4 people
- $123,702
- Each extra person
- +$11,100
- Medians apply to cases filed on or after
- April 1, 2026
Ohio median income check
Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in Ohio. Here are the official medians:
- 1 person$66,239
- 2 people$83,725
- 3 people$102,504
- 4 people$123,702
- Each extra person+$11,100
Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4
Ohio bankruptcy courts and divisions
You file in the district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Ohio has two districts, Northern and Southern. To find your division, see the Northern District's county map (https://www.ohnb.uscourts.gov/content/county-distribution-map) or the Southern District's courthouse pages, which list the counties each one serves (https://www.ohsb.uscourts.gov/court-locations-and-entry-requirements).
Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408
Divisions: Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown
Clerk's phone: (216) 615-4300
Divisions: Cincinnati (Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Highland, Lawrence, Scioto counties), Columbus (Athens, Belmont, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Union, Vinton, Washington counties), Dayton (Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, Warren counties)
Clerk's phone: 1-833-809-1611
Exemptions in Ohio at a glance
In Ohio you use state exemptions only (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep).
Home (homestead): $182,625 in equity in one parcel or item of real or personal property that you or a dependent use as a residence (a house, condo or mobile home).
Car or other vehicle: $5,025 in equity in one motor vehicle, per person.
Wildcard (any property): $1,675 in any property (only in bankruptcy cases)
In nearby states
- West Virginia: 1 person $63,908 · 2 people $68,592 · 3 people $92,050 · 4 people $93,672
- Indiana: 1 person $64,461 · 2 people $81,986 · 3 people $95,627 · 4 people $115,656
- Kentucky: 1 person $61,652 · 2 people $73,892 · 3 people $85,212 · 4 people $109,443
- Pennsylvania: 1 person $72,230 · 2 people $87,534 · 3 people $110,151 · 4 people $135,862
- Virginia: 1 person $78,491 · 2 people $101,171 · 3 people $123,159 · 4 people $144,826
- Michigan: 1 person $67,352 · 2 people $83,432 · 3 people $103,449 · 4 people $123,010
Your next steps in Ohio
Gather your income
Add every source of household income for the last 6 months.
Fill in the first form
The court uses Official Form 122A-1.
If you are above the median
You continue with Official Form 122A-2.
File in your court
You file the forms in Northern District and Southern District.
Free legal help in Ohio
Questions about the means test in Ohio
How much home equity can I keep in Ohio?
$182,625 in equity in one parcel or item of real or personal property that you or a dependent use as a residence (a house, condo or mobile home)
How do I find my bankruptcy court in Ohio?
You file in the district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Ohio has two districts, Northern and Southern. To find your division, see the Northern District's county map (https://www.ohnb.uscourts.gov/content/county-distribution-map) or the Southern District's courthouse pages, which list the counties each one serves (https://www.ohsb.uscourts.gov/court-locations-and-entry-requirements).
What are the Ohio means test numbers?
For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $66,239; 2 people: $83,725; 3 people: $102,504; 4 people: $123,702; Each extra person: +$11,100.
Is there free bankruptcy help in Ohio?
Ohio Legal Help — statewide legal information and free legal aid finder and Legal Aid Society of Cleveland — bankruptcy pro bono program (listed by the Northern District court).