Benefits Journey: Applying + Enrolling
-
Struggles and solutions: Insights into the SNAP Application Process from Illinois Outreach Workers and Applicants
mRelief recently completed a research study to investigate whether there are specific parts of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; also known as food stamps) benefits application process that make it difficult to complete. We conducted interviews with mRelief users and SNAP outreach workers (individuals whose job responsibilities include providing SNAP application assistance in person or over the phone) in Illinois. We also conducted group interviews with SNAP outreach workers to collaborate with them to uncover findings and develop recommendations.
-
The Unfinished Business of the ACA
“Interoperability” refers to systems’ ability to interact with each other to share data so that a customer is connected with as many benefits as possible in an efficient way. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was originally intended to be interoperable, but this has not occurred yet. Promoting interoperability in the ACA is imperative, as it would help alleviate food insecurity through automatic benefits enrollment.
-
The Cash Assistance Implementation Playbook
The purpose of this document is to outline possible technical approaches to supporting a cash assistance program.
-
Navigating the Patchwork of State Paid Family and Medical Leave Programs
While millions of workers have gained access to PFML, the lack of uniformity in mandatory PFML programs created a growing patchwork of state laws, differing on nearly 30 policy components across four key areas: substantive benefits, financing, eligibility, and administrative requirements.
-
Spanish Translation Guide for Unemployment Insurance
Guidelines and resources to help improve Spanish translations for unemployment insurance (UI) content
-
Modernizing Unemployment Insurance: Lessons From The Tiger Teams
This report presents findings from a review by the Bipartisan Policy Center of DOL’s Tiger Teams initiative.
-
Toolkit for Helping States Implement People-Centered Pandemic EBT
With the extension and expansion of P-EBT during COVID and the Food and Nutrition Service releasing new guidance, states have an opportunity to effectively deliver essential resources to children and families. Code for America built this toolkit of resources to share recommendations and promising practices around the implementation of P-EBT and to support state agencies and partners tasked with the development of P-EBT programs.
-
MyFile: A Collaborative and Open-Source Approach to Transforming Public Service Delivery
This report details the development and deployment of My File, an open-source digital document management tool designed to help individuals securely store and share documents needed to access public services.
-
“It’s Like Night and Day”: How Bureaucratic Encounters Vary across WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid
This study examines how bureaucratic interactions differ among public assistance programs—WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid—highlighting variations in participant experiences and the psychological costs associated with each.
-
State WIC Agencies Use Federal Flexibility to Streamline Enrollment
State WIC agencies are leveraging federal flexibilities to simplify enrollment and increase participation among eligible families.
-
The Average Food Stamp Application is 17 Pages Long
The Average Food Stamp Application is 17 Pages Long article by mRelief highlights the extensive length and complexity of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications, which can deter eligible individuals from applying for benefits.
-
Remote Identity Proofing: Better Solutions Needed to Ensure Equitable Access
The report examines how current remote identity proofing methods can create barriers to Medicaid enrollment and suggests improvements to ensure equitable access for all applicants.