The income must be "qualifying" income. Typically only earned income (e.g. wages), unemployment and retirement income are qualifying income. Interest, dividends, capital gains and rental income do not count. (the latest instructions {2019-2025, maybe earlier] say everything is qualifying except those 4 items)
From the instructions:
To qualify for this credit, you and your spouse must each have at least $500 of qualifying income and jointly file your return. "Qualifying income" is any amount included in Ohio adjusted gross income, other than the following:
●Interest;
●Dividends and distributions;
●Capital gains; AND
●Rents and royalties
