Simplifying Programs
Aligning Policies and Procedures in Benefit Programs
Over the past 15 years, the welfare system has undergone a major transformation. Instead of a limited set of programs focused primarily on providing benefits to low-income non-working families, states and the federal government now operate a more comprehensive set of programs designed to promote employment and to support low-wage workers. States have significant opportunities under federal law to streamline and integrate the rules across these programs, thereby creating a far simpler system for families to comply with and states to operate. Read more
Basics
Complex and duplicative paperwork requirements prevent many low-income families — especially working families — from receiving benefits that can help them meet basic needs such as food, health care, and child care. Such requirements also add to state agency workloads and costs. The Center established the Project on Program Simplification and Coordination to make low-income programs easier both for eligible families to participate in and for states to administer.
Featured Experts
By producing analyses and providing technical assistance to states and others, the Project on Program Simplification and Coordination helps states:
- identify ways to streamline and coordinate the rules governing Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, food stamps, child care subsidy programs, and TANF income assistance programs, and
- implement these changes in ways that will improve program participation rates while reducing red tape for both states and families.
New
-
Online Information About Key Low-Income Benefit Programs
Revised April 27, 2009
-
Easing Benefit Enrollment and Retention by Reducing the Burden of Providing Verification
December 13, 2005
-
Streamlining And Coordinating Benefit Programs' Application Procedures
June 22, 2005
-
How States Can Align Benefit Renewals Across Programs Options For Simplifying And Aligning Eligibility Reviews
Revised June 20, 2005
-
Using the Internet to Facilitate Enrollment In Benefit Programs
Revised June 20, 2005
- More:
- View All By Date
Of Interest
The Center is interested in learning about innovative approaches to program simplification and alignment. If there are policies or procedures in your state that could be a model for others, please contact Stacy Dean at the Center on Budget and Policy priorities.
What Some States Are Doing
Arkansas and Louisiana use information collected by the food stamp program to renew people's Medicaid eligibility.
Oregon, Wisconsin and other states have online calculators that allow families to determine their likely benefit level.
In parts of Ohio, families applying for child care subsidies can apply for Medicaid on the same simple form.
The Medicaid applications in Maine and Nebraska ask families if they are interested in applying for other benefit programs.
Louisiana, Texas, and Washington state conduct many food stamp interviews by phone.
Utah electronically scans in applicants' documentation so they do not have to supply the same documents twice.
