Did you know Cleveland will clean your house and mow your lawn?
The City of Cleveland Department of Aging’s Chore Services Program helps older adults and residents with disabilities for free. Services include light indoor cleaning, lawn mowing in the summer, leaf raking in the fall and shoveling sidewalks and steps in the winter.
It is only for residents who do not have other people in their household who could do the tasks.
Signal Cleveland spoke with the city to further understand how the Chore Services Program works.
How many slots are available per year?
It varies as enrollment ebbs and flows each year. This year, 1,094 Cleveland residents signed up.
How can a resident sign up?
There is an open enrollment period that begins in February and runs through mid-April. During this enrollment period, applications are available on the department’s website. Residents can return completed applications to the city by mail, in-person, email, or request pick-up at their home. You may contact the Department of Aging at any time to join their mailing list to receive a paper application during the enrollment period.
| Email/In-person drop off | Phone number | Pick up |
|---|---|---|
| Email: Aging@clevelandohio.gov Drop off: The Cleveland Department of Aging 75 Erieview Plaza, Room 201, Cleveland, OH 44114 | 216-664-3998 For assistance in Spanish, dial 216-664-6129 | Residents can also request city staff come to their homes and pick up an application. |
What is the criteria to participate?
| Eligibility requirements |
|---|
| Must be located within the City of Cleveland |
| Must be at least 60 years old or under 60 and receiving disability |
| Cannot reside with an able-bodied individual who’s capable of providing the same service – as this program is more so targeting folks who don’t have anyone else that can help them |
| Must live in a single- or two-family dwelling (i.e. not multi-family or apartment) |
| Must be owner-occupied to receive all services, but non-homeowners and apartment renters may still be able to receive indoor chore services. |
Are there income requirements?
Because it is a free program, it’s geared for those who truly need it, but the city will never turn anyone away based on income alone. The application asks household income for reporting purposes only.
How long does it take to notify residents that their application has been accepted or denied?
The city notifies residents in April.
Once capacity is reached, will residents be placed on a wait list?
Applications received after the deadline are still considered for enrollment as space becomes available. (Sometimes residents drop out because they no longer need services or because a family member hired a caregiver, etc.)
Does the city prioritize residents not chosen for services the following year?
Any Cleveland resident can apply for services each program year. Anyone who expresses interest in the program is added to the department’s mailing list. Residents can call and ask to be put on the list anytime throughout the year. These residents, along with those who participated in the program the previous year, are then sent new applications at the same time in February.
The department begins to fill spots until capacity is reached (applications are date-stamped upon receipt). However, priority can sometimes be given to applicants aged 80 and older or those who use a wheelchair ramp. Ultimately, it’s a case-by-case basis.
What is considered ‘general cleaning’ for indoor/outdoor chores?
| Services Provided |
|---|
| Dusting |
| Sweeping |
| Mopping |
| Vacuuming |
| Cleaning appliances |
| Changing light bulbs |
| Grass cutting (once per month from May through October) |
| Leaf raking (once in the fall, weather permitting) |
| Snow removal during winter months (shoveling pathways and steps) |
What happens after a resident is accepted into the program?
Once accepted into the program, residents call to schedule their indoor appointments, which usually last about an hour.
The city asks residents to notify the Department of Aging ahead of time if an appointment has to be canceled, rescheduled or is no longer needed. This helps redirect personnel to someone else in need of support.
They also ask that participants provide their own cleaning supplies and equipment like mops, brooms, etc. This is done for health reasons and to avoid potential allergic reactions or other adverse health effects.
Who performs the chores?
A combination of full-time and part-time staff complete indoor chores. Staff members and court community service workers do outdoor chores.
How much money did the city allocate for the program in 2026?
The most recent funding included $438,000 – which pays for a combination of Department of Aging staff and contractors. Additionally, some council members allocate a portion of their discretionary casino dollars to pay for chore services in their wards.
Who uses the program?
The number of chore services the city has provided has gone up significantly over the past four years due to an increase in residents’ needs for assistance.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,561 chore services performed | 7,217 chore services performed | 9,156 chore services performed | 9,745 chore services performed |
Residents across all 15 wards are utilizing the program, with residents of Ward 1 using the service the most.
| Ward 1 | Ward 2 | Ward 3 | Ward 4 | Ward 5 | Ward 6 | Ward 7 | Ward 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228 residents | 129 residents | 110 residents | 58 residents | 27 residents | 51 residents | 14 residents | 78 residents |
| Ward 9 | Ward 10 | Ward 11 | Ward 12 | Ward 13 | Ward 14 | Ward 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 residents | 86 residents | 43 residents | 35 residents | 57 residents | 32 residents | 21 residents |
Pets
The city asks that program participants keep pets secured away from the service area for safety reasons.
