1. www.clasp.org Introduction to Benefit Access Working Poor Families Project Policy Academy June 30, 2011 Elizabeth Lower-Basch Senior Policy Analyst

2. www.clasp.org 2 TANF SNAP (Food Stamps) EITC Housing Vouchers Child Care Subsidies Child Support Medicaid CHIP Child Tax Credit WIC SSI Veterans Benefits Pell Grants Social Security Unemployment Insurance

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6. Tuition, books and fees reflect only 1/3 of total annual cost of attendance for community college students when living and transportation costs are included College students have substantial unmet financial need even after financial aid (roughly $6,000/year) Financial aid generally not available for non- credit classes WIA rarely provides needs-based payment 6

7. www.clasp.org 7 Unmet Need Too much work Failure to complete Stress Housing and food insecurity Too little sleep Part-time enrollment Too little studying Poor grades

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11. www.clasp.org Too many families don’t get benefits that they are eligible for. Childless adults not eligible for many programs Applying is often time consuming, frustrating. Programs are often run in “silos,” don’t look at the needs of the person or family as a whole. 11

12. www.clasp.org Social Security, Medicare Children’s health insurance Earned Income Tax Credit (for families) Why high participation? Entitlement High levels of publicity/outreach Broad eligibility Intermediaries  tax preparers  health care providers 12

13. www.clasp.org TANF cash assistance Child care subsidies Housing assistance Why low participation? Capped funding Child care and housing: capped enrollment TANF: Stigma, burdensome requirements, and time limits restrict participation 13

14. www.clasp.org SNAP (food stamps) Health insurance for parents Pell grants (for students) WIC Unemployment insurance 14

15. www.clasp.org 2008 15 California – 50% Wyoming – 48% Maine – 94% Oregon – 92% National – 67%

16. www.clasp.org Eligibility limits are very low in many states Cost is shared between federal government and states, and is a significant portion of state budgets Complicated rules determine eligibility. Change is coming…. 2014… 16

17. www.clasp.org 17 Login Here

18. www.clasp.org 18 No online application Income limit for family of 3 is $424 per month “health care for children, pregnant women, and people who are aging, blind and disabled”

19. www.clasp.org Note: Program participation among citizen children with family income below the poverty level and no reported health insurance. The data should be viewed with caution. Source: CBPP analysis of 2009 data from Survey of Income and Program Participation.

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21. www.clasp.org Full time minimum wage worker ($7.25 an hour, 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year) Does not qualify for SNAP Does not qualify for EITC At poverty level ($10,830) Pays ~$828 in payroll taxes Gets ~$200 in EITC Could get maybe $40 in SNAP benefits 21

22. www.clasp.org 22 Influence state policy and spending choices Influence state process and implementation choices Bring a cross-program perspective

23. www.clasp.org 23 Image thanks to Shelley Waters Boots