1. Connecting your Clients to Additional Resources Ellen Mackall 1

2. Contents Heating/utility assistance programs 211/InfoLine SNAP Promoting SNAP at your agency 2

3. HEAP: Heating Assistance Home Energy Assistance Program  One-time credit to heating bill  Eligibility: 200% of poverty level 3

4. HEAP: Heating Assistance Clients can fill out application and mail in –Attach proof of income for 12 months & copy of utility bills Appointment at Community Action Agency NOT required! Save your clients time by providing HEAP applications in the winter! Spanish applications available too 4

5. PIPP: Utility Assistance Percentage of Income Payment Plan PLUS 5

6. PIPP: Utility Assistance Utilities regulated by PUCO (heat) Heat and electric Pay 6% of income for gas, 6% for electric –OR: 10% of income for all-electric Applications mailed  Ohio Development Services Agency Request brochures for clients (free) 6

7. E-HEAP: Emergency HEAP Winter Crisis Program: Nov 1- March 31 –Disconnect notice or already disconnected heat/electric –200% of poverty level Summer Crisis Program: July 1- Aug 31 –Household member over 60 OR medical necessity for air conditioning –Payment on electric bill OR purchase of air conditioner –175% of poverty level 7

8. E-HEAP: Emergency HEAP Crisis programs administered through Community Action Agencies County-by-county 8

9. Help! My clients are asking questions I can’t answer about other social services! Who gives out clothes? Who helps with rent payments? Who provides eyeglasses? Who provides legal aid? Where can I get counseling? 9

10. Call 211! 10

11. Additional food programs If clients need more pantry/hot meal recommendations  Getfoodhelp.org OR www.akroncantonfoodbank.org/need- food.aspx Or: call us at 855-560-0850 11

12. Introduction to SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program “Food stamps”  SNAP USDA Food and Nutrition Service 12

13. Introduction to SNAP 16% of Ohioans (1,845,000 people) 21% of eligible Ohioans aren’t receiving 69% of SNAP participants are in families with children (OH) Average household: less than 1 year on SNAP Center on Budget and Policy Priorities state fact sheet 13

14. New card (August 2013) 14

15. Prevalence of SNAP 15 One in 24 bags of food assistance comes from a charitable organization. Federal nutrition programs provide the rest.

16. SNAP Income Guidelines 130% federal poverty level 16 Household sizeMonthly income 1$1245 2$1680 3$2116 4$2551 5$2987

17. SNAP Application Process JFS/OBB Interview Amount depends on income/expenses (formula assumes 30% of income  food) 17

18. SNAP Myths Myth: People who own their home can’t receive SNAP Fact: Currently no asset limits in OH Myth: SNAP amounts awarded are completely random Fact: Based on income and expenses –Minimum: $16/month 18

19. Myths: Fraud Myth: Food stamp fraud is common Fact: 1 cent per dollar (national food stamp trafficking rate) Illegal to use SNAP to purchase non-food and nearly impossible Cash assistance on similar card (EPPI) 19

20. Myths: SNAP and pantries Myth: People receiving SNAP don’t need food from pantries too Fact: Average monthly SNAP benefit per person = $138.60 (OH)  $1.54/person/meal 90% redeemed by the 21 st of the month 20

21. Myths: SNAP and pantries Myth: Everyone who comes to a food pantry is already receiving SNAP Fact: Only 55% of food insecure individuals are eligible for SNAP 21

22. SNAP Myths Myth: Everyone who needs SNAP is already receiving it. Fact: 86% of eligible households with children participate  Only 35% of eligible seniors receive SNAP  65% of working families participate 22

23. SNAP Myths Myth: People receiving SNAP are only using it to buy junk food Fact: 85% of benefits used for nutritious foods  Comparable to patterns for low/moderate- income households without SNAP 23

24. The Cost of Healthy Eating 24

25. SNAP Myths 25

26. SNAP Myths Myth: Most people on SNAP are just “living off the system” Fact: 4 out of 5 SNAP participants are not expected to work (children, elderly, disabled) OR are working  82% of working-age adults worked previous year, that year, or next year (87% for parents) 26

27. SNAP and Food Security Household level: Reduces food insecurity 20% for high-risk children and improves health Recession: increase in participation as unemployment grew 27

28. SNAP and Food Security 40% of SNAP households have incomes below half of the poverty level 50% poverty level = $814/month for family of 3 28

29. SNAP and Food Security Impact on community: $1 SNAP  $1.73 economic activity $3 billion  Ohio’s economy (2012) 82% of benefits redeemed at grocery stores Only 5% redeemed at convenience stores 29

30. SNAP and Farmers’ Markets Many now accept SNAP 2012: Alliance Farmers’ Market Countryside Conservancy (Peninsula/Akron) Medina County Farmers’ Market Tuscarawas Valley Family Farmers’ Market Programs to double SNAP 30

31. State of SNAP Benefit amounts November 2013 $20-25/month decrease ($240 yearly) Farm Bill hasn’t passed 31

32. Why does SNAP matter? When benefits are cut, not everyone can make up the difference More demand at pantries/hot meals 32

33. Provide These Resources 33 Referral Form Post 1- 800 Number Host SNAP Outreach Ohio Benefit Bank

34. 1-(855)560-0850 34

35. Referral Form 35

36. Host a SNAP Outreach Worker A member of our SNAP outreach team can come to your pantry and speak with your clients 36

37. Ohio Benefit Bank Help a client with applications at your agency. Train your volunteers Free 37

38. Thank you! Ellen Mackall, OBB Counselor/HarvestCorps member emackall@acrfb.org 330-777-1050 Laura Vanzo, SNAP Outreach Specialist lvanzo@acrfb.org 330-572-3101 38