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Connecting your Clients to Additional Resources

Ellen Mackall

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Contents

• Heating/utility assistance programs

• 211/InfoLine

• SNAP

• Promoting SNAP at your agency

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HEAP: Heating Assistance

Home

Energy

Assistance

Program

One-time credit to heating bill

Eligibility: 200% of poverty level

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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

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PIPP: Utility Assistance

Percentage of

Income

Payment

Plan

PLUS

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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)

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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

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E-HEAP: Emergency HEAP

• Crisis programs administered through Community Action Agencies

• County-by-county

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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?

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Call 211!

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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

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Introduction to SNAP

Supplemental

Nutrition

Assistance

Program

“Food stamps” SNAP

USDA Food and Nutrition Service

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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

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New card (August 2013)

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Prevalence of SNAP

One in 24 bags of food assistance comes from a charitable organization. Federal nutrition

programs provide the rest.

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SNAP Income Guidelines

130% federal poverty level

Household size Monthly income1 $12452 $16803 $21164 $25515 $2987

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SNAP Application Process

JFS/OBB

Interview

Amount depends on income/expenses

(formula assumes 30% of income food)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Cost of Healthy Eating

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SNAP Myths

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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)

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SNAP and Food Security

Household level:

• Reduces food insecurity 20% for high-risk children and improves health

• Recession: increase in participation as unemployment grew

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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

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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

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SNAP and Farmers’ Markets

• Many now accept SNAP2012:

• Alliance Farmers’ Market• Countryside Conservancy (Peninsula/Akron)• Medina County Farmers’ Market• Tuscarawas Valley Family Farmers’ Market

• Programs to double SNAP

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State of SNAP

• Benefit amounts November 2013

• $20-25/month decrease ($240 yearly)

• Farm Bill hasn’t passed

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Why does SNAP matter?

When benefits are cut, not everyone can make up the difference

More demand at pantries/hot meals

Provide These Resources

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Referral Form

Post 1-800

Number

Host SNAP

Outreach

Ohio Benefit

Bank

1-(855)560-0850

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Referral Form

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Host a SNAP Outreach Worker• A member of our SNAP

outreach team can come to your pantry and speak with your clients

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

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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