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
LEARN MORE!