Connecting Clients to Essential Resources: Assistance Programs Explained

1. Connecting your Clients to Additional Resources Ellen Mackall

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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?

10. Call 211!

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

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

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

14. New card (August 2013)

15. Prevalence of SNAP 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

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

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

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)

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 21st of the month

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

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

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

24. The Cost of Healthy Eating

25. SNAP Myths

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

33. Provide These Resources Ohio Benefit Bank

34. 1-(855)560-0850

35. Referral Form

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

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

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