1. Bridging the Gap Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA Healthy Families, Healthy Communities From Help with Groceries to Free Health Care

2. Understanding the Basics: What Health-related Benefits Are and Why They Matter

3. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly Food Stamps) Women, Infants, Children Program (WIC) Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Medicaid Examples of Nutrition and Medical (Health/Wellness) Benefits:

4. Did you know? 1 in 4

5. People in America worry about not being able to afford groceries

6. Did you know? 1 in 7

7. ... and 1 in 6 are eligible Or 48+ million Americans are receiving SNAP Benefits

8. Did you know? 124

9. Average monthly amount a SNAP Beneficiary receives

10. Did you know? 34 :131

11. Percentage increase in employee wages vs. increase in insurance premiums since 1999

12. Did you know? 56,000,000

13. The number of people in America covered by Medicaid

14. Workplace Success: Decreased absenteeism Increased retention Greater employee commitment Higher-levels of productivity

15. Routine illness = 29% of Absenteeism A two year study showed a major company reduced their absenteeism rate by 15%. They also cut their hospital costs by 34% after three years. Turnover rate for wellness program participants for one organization was 1.8%, compared to the company-wide average of 18%. Studies of 29 of 30 worksite health promotion and disease prevention programs proved to be cost effective. In a four year study of a major company, sick leave was reduced 19%.

16. It’s good for the economy.

17. U.S. Nutrition Benefits 101

18. 1.SNAP/Food Stamps - Emergency/Disaster SNAP 2. WIC - Commodity Supplemental Food - Farmer’s Market Nutrition 3. School Food Program - Child and Adult Care Food

19. What it is: Who it benefits: Formerly Food Stamps – Pays for groceries w/Electronic Benefit Transfer Card (EBT) Low-income families and individuals

20. Eligibility: Household size Gross monthly income (130 percent of poverty) Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) 1$1,180$ 908 21,5941,226 32,0081,545 42,4221,863 52,8362,181 63,2492,500 73,6632,818 84,0773,136 Each additional member+414+319

21. Eligibility: A household w/a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only needs to meet the net income limit. Certain deductions are allowed. Lawful Permanent Residents, Children regardless of D/O/E

22. Items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits: Food/food products Vegetable seeds and food-producing plants Baby formula, diabetic, and diet foods Spices and food preservatives Water and ice Snack foods

23. How to Claim it: For more information, please visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ SNAP toll-free number: 1-800-221-5689

24. What it is: Who it benefits: How to claim it: SNAP benefits are processed more quickly or cover food lost in disaster Beneficiaries w/ income & resources less than rent, mortgage and utilities For more information, please visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/

25. What it is: Who it benefits: Vouchers for food and nutrition- related health services Low-income mothers w/kids under 5

26. Eligibility: Household sizeAnnual IncomeMonthly 1$20,147$ 1,679 227,2142,268 334,2142,857 441,3483,446 548,4154.035 655,4824,624 762,5495,213 869,6165,802 Each additional member+7,067+589

27. Eligibility: A pregnant woman of any age An infant or child up to five years of age A mother of a baby that is up to six months of age OR breastfeeding up to 1 year A resident of the U.S. At nutritional risk * Not required to be a U.S. citizen

28. WIC Foods and Services: Milk Juice Eggs Cereal Infant formula Other healthy foods Nutrition education Referrals to other resources and services

29. How to Claim it: To find a toll-free number for your state, please visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/tollfreenumbe rs.htm

30. What it is: Who it benefits: How to claim it: Free nutritious meals, nutrition education and referrals Seniors (over 60) and women not eligible for WIC Contact a distribution site

31. What it is: Who it benefits: How to claim it: Checks for fresh, local foods at famers’ markets Women and children in the WIC program and seniors in the CSFP http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/fmnp/FMNP faqs.htm

32. What it is: Who it benefits: Nutritious meals to children in Public Schools The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) School Breakfast Program (SBP) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Low and moderate-income kids

33. Eligibility: - Categorical (Eg. Foster Care, TANF recipient) - Income-based (130% FPL – Free; 185% FPL – Reduced) *U.S. Citizenship or Proof of Residency is not required

34. Breakfast and School Lunch Program Benefits : How to claim it: Swipe cards, prepaid meals, or cash Breakfast consists of 4 food items: milk, grain, protein and vegetable/fruit/juice Lunch consists of five items: milk, protein, grain, and vegetable/fruit (2) Forms given to kids in school

35. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/servic es.htm Or call 703-305-2052 Summer Food Service Program : How to claim it: All kids under 19 are eligible

36. What it is: Who it benefits: How to claim it: Healthy foods at adult and child care centers Low-income children, adults, and their caregivers Ask at center for details

37. Proof of identity Proof of address Social Security numbers or Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) Proof of the amount of all earned and unearned income before taxes or deductions Household composition Proof of housing and utility costs Proof of immigration status for non-citizens (for some programs) Proof of child support and child care payments Proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses if you are age 60 or older or receive federal disability benefits

38. Medical Benefits 101

39. 1.Medicaid 2.CHIP 3.Medicare

40. What it is: Who it benefits: Low and no-cost health insurance Uninsured low-income individuals and families

41. General Eligibility:

42. Eligibility for pregnant women and children:

43. Medicaid Benefits: Treatment and preventive health and dental care Hospital inpatient and outpatient services, clinic services Laboratory and X-ray services Nursing home and home health care Mental health facilities Family planning services Prenatal care Early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment for children under 21 Medicine, supplies, and medical equipment Medical transportation Some insurance and Medicare premiums Other health services

44. How to claim it: Please visit: http://www.cms.gov/ContactCMS/http://www.cms.gov/ContactCMS/ Benefit Card and Managed Care Program – Health Maintenance Organization, clinic, etc. How it works:

45. What it is: Who it benefits: Federal Children’s Health Insurance Program administered by each state – Low and no-cost health care Children up to 19 who don’t qualify for Medicaid

46. Eligibility:

48. Under the age of 19 United States resident Currently uninsured *Some children who were covered by employer- based health insurance within the past six months may be subject to a waiting period

49. Well-child care and physical exams Immunizations Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury X-ray and lab tests Outpatient surgery and inpatient hospital medical or surgical care Emergency care Medication Short-term therapeutic outpatient services Some inpatient and outpatient treatment for alcoholism, substance abuse, and mental health Dental and vision care and speech/hearing Durable medical equipment Emergency transportation and hospice CHIP Benefits:

50. How it works: How to claim it: Please visit: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/contact/index.html Or call 1-877-543-7669 Care from a list of local providers (single doctor, group practice or community health center.)

51. What it is: Who it benefits: Medical care for adults 65+ Seniors 65+ and qualified disabled persons

52. Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance Medicare Part B – Medical Insurance Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage Medicare Benefits and It Works:

53. Medicare Savings Programs:

54. Other Medicare-related Programs: Medigap State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) For more information visit: www.medicare.gov

55. Proof of age, like a birth certificate Proof of citizenship or alien status* Recent paycheck stubs Proof of other sources of income Proof of residency Insurance benefit card or the policy Medicare Benefit Card *For some insurance programs

56. Health Benefits Outreach

57. Outreach: You Don’t Have to be an Expert You do NOT have to be an expert to help families claim their benefits. You have two jobs: 1.Raise Awareness 2. Connect them with the Experts and Enrollment Specialists

58. Outreach: First Steps What outreach works best for your organization? Communication methods Existing programs What worked in the past Special Considerations Self-Assessment:

59. Outreach: Strategic Benefits Outreach The Benefits Outreach Strategy Pyramid:

60. Outreach: A Benefits Outreach Pyramid  Day-long Enrollment Event  PSAs  Health Awareness Day One-time Outreach

61. Outreach: A Benefits Outreach Pyramid PERIODIC OUTREACH Newsletter Email updates Paystuffers Posters Fliers Mini-campaigns

62. Outreach: A Benefits Outreach Pyramid SUSTAINABLE OUTREACH  Partnerships w/ enrollment centers  EAP  Coalition/Campaign  Worked into HR-function - Open enrollment - New hire benefit packets - Staff meetings - Regular communication

63. Outreach: Use Existing Resources

64. Get creative Think strategically 7 is the magic number Use Empowering language Workplace Outreach: And Remember!

65. For more information about earned benefits outreach or the Bridging the Gap Initiative please contact: Hillary Lazar, Program Director – NHSA 202-347-2080 x15 Ph 202-393-4517 Fax hlazar@nassembly.org LEARN MORE!