bridging the gap training series, 2010 hillary lazar, benefits outreach coordinator, nhsa
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Bridging the Gap Training Series, 2010 Hillary 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. Understanding the Basics – What - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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
LEARN MORE!