Jessica Biggert presented on the assistance available at BenePhilly at the July 2017 meeting of the Positive Committee.

1. BenePhilly
For Your Benefit

2. I’m looking forward
to help with the food
and not having to
worry about asking my
children if they can
help me…
I really appreciate
your help.
-Ms. J, age 66
BDT Mission
• BDT is a national not-for-
profit committed to
transforming how people in
need access public benefits
• BDT partners with diverse
entities to create a benefits
access system that is
simple, comprehensive,
and cost effective 2

3. TITLE
• Text

4. On average BDT increases
household income by 12%
INDIVIDUAL IMPACT
4

5. The BDT model saves government
caseworkers 30 minutes per SNAP case,
putting money back into agencies’
SYSTEMS IMPACT
5

6. BDT has infused over $12 Billion dollars in
economic activity to local economies.
SOCIAL IMPACT
6

7. SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL

8. SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL
Targeted Identification
Comprehensive
Application Assistance
Effective Outreach

9. SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL
Continual Evaluation
Proactive Thought
Leadership
Strategic Systems Change

10. BDT’s Client Experience
10

11. BENEPHILLY OVERVIEW
11

12. • BenePhilly started in 2008
• Expanded in 2014
• Key partners: Mayor’s Office of
Community Empowerment & Opportunity
(CEO), PA Dep. of Human Services
(DHS), PA Dept. of Aging (PDA), network
of community partners
History
12

13. 1. Single point of access for multiple
federal, state and city benefits
2. Streamlining the application process and
increasing enrollment
3. Comprehensive benefits access model,
including sites for in-person assistance
BenePhilly Innovations
13

14. BenePhilly Centers
14

15. He went above and
beyond the call. I’m an old
man, and I don’t old
understand half of these
things. Every question I
asked him, he gave me a
good answer in a
language I can
understand. He did a
wonderful, wonderful job.
Benefits Suite
 PACE/PACENET: PA Rx assistance program
 Property Tax/Rent Rebate: Rebates up to $975
 Medicare Extra Help /LIS: Part D Rx assistance
 SNAP/Food Stamps: Help paying for groceries
 LIHEAP: Heating assistance
 Medical Assistance/CHIP: Public health
insurance programs
 MSP: Assistance with Medicare Part B Premium
 Homestead Exemption: City Tax benefit
 TANF: Cash assistance for families with children
 PHL Pre K/CCIS: Childcare subsidies
 Screenings for: WIC, UI, SSDI/SSI
 Additional benefits offered by in-person
BenePhilly Centers (CAP, CRP, SPBP, benefit
recertifications, etc…)
15

16. BENEFITS OVERVIEW
16

17. • PA State Pharmaceutical Assistance
Program
• Prescription co-pay & premium assistance
• Works with Medicare Part D & other
types of insurance OR can stand alone
• Works with other benefits such as Extra
Help and Medicare Savings Program
• Cannot have PACE and full Medicaid
benefits at the same time
PACE/PACENET
17

18. • Must be 65+
• Income eligibility $23,500
(single), $31,500 (married)
– Based on last year’s income
• No resource limit
• PA resident/no citizenship
requirements
PACE Eligibility
18

19. • Subsidy for Medicare
beneficiaries with low income &
resources
• Lowers Medicare Part D
premiums, co-pays, &
deductibles
• Administered by the Social
Security Administration
Medicare Extra Help
19

20. • 150% FPL
• Resource limits: ~12,000
(single), ~25,000 (married)
• Must be eligible for Medicare
• Must have/be willing to enroll in
Part D
Extra Help Eligibility
20

21. • Rebate for property taxes of rent paid in
previous year
– Includes many different types of renting
arrangements
• Must apply every year
• Rebates up to $650
(+ supplemental $$)
PTRR
21

22. • Income limit: $35,000 (homeowners),
$15,000 (renters)
– Only 50% of Social Security Income
counted
• Income based on previous year
• No asset test
PTRR Eligibility
22

23. • Benefit to households to pay heating costs
– Cash grants: $200-$1,000
– Crisis grants: restore heat/weatherization
• 2016/2017 season: Nov 1 – Mar 31
• Grants typically sent directly to
fuel provider
LIHEAP
23

24. • Household = anyone living as an
“economic unit” in same residence
– Can exclude unrelated roomers
• 150% FPL
• Must verify responsibility to pay for
heat
– Pays heating bill
– Heat inc. with rent
• No asset test
LIHEAP Eligibility
24

25. • Formerly known as “food
stamps”
• Assistance for groceries/food
• Benefit amount for 1 person:
$16-$189/month
• Can provide “special
allowances” for work or training
activities
SNAP
25

26. • Very complicated!
• Income limit: 160%/200%
• Deductions for:
– Shelter expenses
– Utilities
– Medical expenses
(seniors/disabled)
• NO asset test
• Certain restrictions for
immigrants
SNAP Eligibility
26

27. • Public health insurance program
• Many categories/different ways to qualify
• Includes:
– MSP (pays Medicare Part B)
– CHIP (coverage for any uninsured child
– MAWD
• BenePhilly can also support
enrollment in Health
Insurance Marketplace
Medical Assistance
27

28. • Eligibility varies by category
• Any U.S. citizen or lawfully present
immigrant is eligible for either MA or HIM
coverage
Medical Assistance Eligibility
28

29. • Cash assistance program
– Small monthly grants provided via EBT
• Complicated application process:
– In-person interview
– Work requirements
– Child support collection
• Under-utilized benefit!
TANF
29

30. • Available only to pregnant women and
guardians/parents of children
• Extremely low income/asset limits
• Must comply with application
requirements
• Sanctions
TANF Eligibility
30

31. • NEW exciting benefit!
• Funded through Phila’s sugar
beverage tax
• Currently slots available to
enroll 3-4 year olds (starting
Jan 4th)
• NO INCOME OR ASSET
LIMITS
• Ultimate goal = Universal
pre-K
Philly Pre-K
31

32. • Child care subsidy
– Can be used at a number of childcare
providers or private care givers
• Waiting list
– TANF families and teen
parents prioritized
CCIS
32

33. • 200% FPL
• Children 0-13 and 13-18 with
disabilities/special needs
• Work/training/education requirement for
parents
– Some exceptions
• Child is citizen or
qualifiedimmigrant
CCIS Eligibility
33

34. • Homestead Exemption
– Any homeowner
– No income/asset limits
• Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze
– Homeowners 65+
– Income limit ~200% FPL
• Senior Citizen Water Discount
– 65+
– Pays water bill
– Income limit $31,500 (household)
Philadelphia Benefit Programs
34

35. • Referral benefits:
– WIC
– SSI/SSDI
– Unemployment
• Benefits offered by in-person Centers
• Services offered by BenePhilly Center
agencies
• Connection with FECs
Other Services
35

36. • BenePhilly has a special partnership with
CLS
• CLS can assist with cases, including:
– Benefit denials/shut-offs
– SSI denials or cuts in SSDI/SSI
– Utility shut-offs
– Expungement
– Wage theft/unlawful workplace practices
CLS Referrals
36

37. HOW TO REFER
37

38. "I just wanted to let you
know you had a really good
representative. He was
really helpful and he gave
me and my boyfriend a lot
of good information about
receiving Medicaid. He had
no idea that he was going to
be able to receive that. “
- Ms. M, 23
How we can help
38
• Educate households about
benefits
• Complete application questions
and understand verification
requirements
• Follow-up with administering
agencies
• Schedule appointments at an
in-person BenePhilly Center

39. “I just wanted to say
how grateful I am for
his help and the
coverage he helped
me regain after my
husband lost his job”
-Ms. M, age 44
How to Refer
39
•Provide BenePhilly hotline number, or
referral flyer to clients
•Our Benefit Specialist will guide
clients through full process or
scheduling in-person appointment
•Stay on the line and work alongside a
Benefits Outreach Specialist
•Check in with us if you/your client
needs help!

40. “At this point I am
so grateful.
Anything would be
a help. I'm was
thrilled that just a
simple phone call
went so easily.
Hopefully it will
Info to Have Ready
 Household size
 Household income
 Household resources
(bank accounts,
investments, vehicles, etc.)
 Household expenses
 Medical
expenses/current
medical coverage
 Enrollment status in
benefits
40

41. How to Reach Us
41
All in-person BenePhilly
Centers offer evening and
weekend hours.

42. I can’t thank you enough.
Right now I’m very happy, I’m
almost in tears. [You] spent an
hour with me on the phone. I’m
trying to do the best I can at my
age…I just needed some help.
That $150 would be a great
help to pay for [food.] I thank
you very much and your
department.
-Mr. B, age 81 42
Questions?