Bridging the Gap Training Series, 2011Hillary Lazar, Program Director, 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

The Hard Numbers:

43.6 Million People in America in poverty

10 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

40+ Million People receiving Food Stamps

7+ Million Eligible for and not receiving Food Stamps

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

2011 Poverty Line for Family of 3 $18,530/Year

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

Budget Surplus: Up to $2000+/year

Medical Expenses

TransportationRent & Utilities

Basic Needs

Child Care

The benefits help workers keep working and care for themselves and their children.

Workplace Success:

Decreased absenteeism and presenteeism

Increased retention Greater employee commitment Higher-levels of productivity 

Saves on expenditures and profit-loss

Decreased Absenteeism/Presenteeism:

• Routine illness – 29%

• Problems with child care – 22%

• Transportation for family – 10%

Employee Support

Increased Retention, Commitment, and Productivity:

*An effective workplace demonstrates commitment to employees by providing benefit access and support programs along with other opportunities for career advancement and roles in decision-making, which leads to greater organizational and mission success.

Employee Support

Saves on Expenditures:

How much does it cost to fill a $16k job?

$6,000 - $12,000

Earned Benefits 101

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Up to $5666 in cash back

Workers who earn up to $48,000

Largest available income booster

Must file taxes

individuals.marylandtaxes.com/taxhelp/

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Up to $1000 credit per child

Workers with qualified children ($110k – married, $75k single)

Helps offset cost of raising kids

Must file taxes

individuals.marylandtaxes.com/taxhelp/

What it is:  Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Pays for groceries with Electronic Benefit Transfer Card (EBT)

Low-income families and individuals

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

Healthy food means a healthy body

Online applicationIndependence Card (MD’s EBT)

What it is:  Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Pays for nutrition-related health services

Low-income mothers w/kids under 5

Up to 40k (family of four)fha.maryland.gov/wic

Helps moms and kids stay healthy

Application and check-up

• School Lunch Program

• School Breakfast Program

• Special Milk Program

What it is:  Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Low and no-cost health insurance

Uninsured low-income individuals and families

Up to 17.5k (family of four)SAIL MD

Covers medical bills and care for uninsured

Application

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Low and no-cost Health

Individuals and children who don’t qualify for Medicaid

Up to 44k (free - family of four)SAIL MDwww.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mchp/

Covers medical bills for uninsured

Application

• Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program

• Medicare Buy-In Program

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Help with heating, cooling and weatherization

Low-income and at-risk households

Heating and cooling are central to home safety

Application

liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Maryland.htmMHEAP HotlineSAIL MD

What it is:

Who it benefits:

Why it’s important:

How to claim it:

In MD:

Help with loan modification and refinancing

Homeowners at-risk for losing their homes

Home is essential for family stability

Call 877-462-7555

Maryland HOPE InitiativeMDHOPE.org

• Privately owned subsidized housing

• Public Housing

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

• State Child Care Subsidies (Child Care Works)

• Temporary Cash Assistance

• 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:

– SAIL MD –marylandsail.org

- mdhope.org/

- dhr.maryland.gov

- Bridging the Gap page

Workplace Outreach:Use Existing Resources

Benefits Hotline

- 211DHR General Information

- 1-800-332-6347MHEAP

- 1-800-352-1446

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!