bridging the gap training series, 2010 hillary lazar, benefits outreach coordinator, nhsa

Bridging the Gap Training Series, 2010Hillary Lazar, Benefits Outreach Coordinator, NHSA

Supporting Employees and Strengthening Workplaces

The Whys and Hows of Earned Benefits

Understanding the Basics:

What Earned Benefits Are and Why They

Matter

• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC/EIC)• (Additional) Child Tax Credit (CTC)• State Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly Food Stamps)• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)• Medicaid• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)• Housing Assistance Programs• Subsidized Child Care

Examples of Earned Benefits

Earned benefits and other income supports are crucial for two reasons:

1. Family Success

2. Workplace Success

Family Success:

Income Income

Food Stamps

Medicaid

Rentand Utilities

Other

FederalTax Credits

State and CityTax Credits

HEAP

Budget GapFood

Health Care

Transportation

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

Annual Expenses Annual Resourcesbefore Benefits

Annual Resourceswith Benefits

2009 Poverty Line for Family of 3 $18,300/Year

Budget Gap – Single mother, 2 children, working as a childcare provider, $8.00/hour

Budget Surplus: Up to $2000/year

Workplace Success:

Decreased absenteeism

Increased retention

Greater employee commitment

Higher-levels of productivity 

The Hard Numbers:

7.6 Million Families in poverty before the financial crisis

8 Million+ Home foreclosures in 2008

People who lost their jobs since 2007

1.35 Million3 Million +

8 Billion+ Dollars in benefits that get left on the table each year

7% Percentage of families who claim all four major benefits

45% Percentage increase in annual income for some EITC recipients

Home foreclosures expected in 2010

Earned Benefits 101

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In PA:

Up to $5666 in cash back

Workers who earn up to $48,000

Largest available income booster

Must file taxes

PA VITA (DPW)Pathways PA

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In PA:

Up to $1000 credit per child

Workers with qualified children

Helps offset cost of raising kids

Must file taxes

PA VITA (DPW)Pathways PA

What it is:  Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In PA:

Formerly Food Stamps – Pays for groceries

Low-income families and individuals

Up to 35k (family of four), 44k (w/senior) - $668/monthCOMPASS PA

Healthy food means healthy body

Online applicationACCESS CARD

What it is:  Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In NY:

Pays for nutrition-related health services

Low-income mothers w/kids under 5

Up to 40k (family of four)PAWIC.com

Helps moms and kids stay healthy

Application and check-up

What it is:  Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In PA:

Low and no-cost health insurance

Uninsured low-income individuals and families

Up to 17.5k (family of four)COMPASS PA

Covers medical bills and care for uninsured

ApplicationACCESS Card

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In PA:

Low and no-cost Health

Individuals and children who don’t qualify for Medicaid

Up to 44k (free - family of four)Chipcoverspakids.comCOMPASS PA

Covers medical bills for uninsured

Application

• National School Food Program

• Expedited Food

• adultBasic*

*Cut as 2011.

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In NY:

Help with heating, cooling and weatherization

Low-income and at-risk households

Heating and cooling are central to home safety

Application (fall only)

Up to 33k (family of four)Regular, CrisisLIHEAP HotlineCOMPASS PA

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In PA:

Help with loan modification and refinancing

Homeowners at-risk for losing their homes

Home is essential for family stability

Call 888-995-HOPE

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance ProgramHeretohelppa.gov

• Privately owned subsidized housing

• Public Housing

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

• State Child Care Subsidies (Child Care Works)

• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

• Veterans Benefits

Earned Benefits Outreach in the

Workplace

Workplace Outreach:Raise Awareness

Include fliers with paychecks/stubs or when distributing W-2s

Put up posters in the break room or bathrooms

Send out email “benefit blasts”

Talk about benefits during staff meetings

Direct employees to Diakon Inroads EAP

Workplace Outreach: How to Talk About Tax Credits Talking points to emphasize:

It’s for working families

They earned it – they should get it!

The financial crisis

It’s a simple process

Use Language That’s Empowering.

Get creative

Think strategically

7 is the magic number

Quick Tips for Workplace Outreach: And Remember!

Workplace Outreach:Use Existing Resources

Access Information Online:

– COMPASS PA

- Heretohelp.pa.gov

-

helpinpa.state.pa.us/

-

www.dpw.state.pa.us/

- Bridging the Gap

page

Workplace Outreach:Use Existing Resources

- 211

- 1-800-G0-BASIC

- 1-800-986-KIDS

- 1-800-986-BABY

- 1-800-WIC-WINS

- 1-800-PA-BANKS

- 1-877-4-PA-KIDS

Use Referral Services:

For more information about benefit outreach or the Bridging the Gap Initiative please contact:

Hillary Lazar, Program Director – NHSA202-347-2080 x15 • Ph 202-393-4517 Fax

hlazar@nassembly.org

LEARN MORE!