RealBenefits

RealBenefits, a web-based information service and tool set, was developed to provide private and public sector organizations with the capacity to perform sophisticated benefit eligibility screening, counseling and advocacy for eligible low income families, easily and at low cost. RealBenefits helps health and human service organizations ensure that they are informing their clients about all the programs they may be eligible for. RealBenefits simplifies the system by helping workers determine which program a client is eligible for and by using the automated system to complete applications. Subscribers (front line health and human service workers) conduct a standardized interview with a client (family), inputting basic information into the system. RealBenefits analyzes the client's information and calculates eligibility for multiple public benefit programs.

The goals of RealBenefits are to allow users to 1) maximize benefits designed to promote self-sufficiency and stability for low-income families and their communities; 2) create capacity in public and private health and human service agencies that increases services offered to low-income families and maximizes revenues; and 3) promote change in public benefit application systems.

In the first five months following the availability of the final version of RealBenefits approximately 1800 households were screened for eligibility and 3,500 applications for various public programs were generated.