The Benefit Bank is a project which uses technology to
improve the lives of low income Americans. Through the use of
software and trained volunteers the program allows the needy to
fill out one application which can be generated to receive
assistance from a wide range of public and private resources.
During stops in the South this week the Congressional Black
Caucus Institute and National Council Of Churches sought
volunteers and partners to help expand the program. The program
has so far been opened in 48 sites in Pennsylvania, Florida, and
Kansas including ACORN Housing, Jewish Employment and Vocational
Service, and Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry.
Designed as a counselor-assisted program, TBB
creates dialogue through simple interview questions between the
client and the counselor, who navigates them through the screens.
When all the questions necessary to fill out the application or
tax return are completed, TBB reviews the information, generates
the approved applications for signature, and where possible
submits forms electronically.
As clients enter data for one benefit, TBB
saves the information for use with another form or benefit. The
Benefit Bank stores all of the client information, eliminating
the need to type it in again - thereby reducing the amount of
time spent filling out multiple applications. For example, once a
client has finished filing their federal taxes the application
for Food Stamps is 75% completed.