Supporting Employees and Strengthening Workplaces The Whys and

Supporting Employees and Strengthening Workplaces The Whys and Hows of Earned Benefits Bridging the Gap Training Series, 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Understanding the Basics: What Earned Benefits Are and Why They Matter

Understanding the Basics – What Earned Benefits Are Examples of Earned Benefits • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC/EIC) • (Additional) Child Tax Credit (CTC) • State Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly Food Stamps) • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) • Medicaid • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) • Housing Assistance Programs • Subsidized Child Care

Understanding the Basics – Why Earned Benefits Matter Now The Hard Numbers: 43. 6 Million People in America in poverty 40+ Million People receiving Food Stamps 7+ Million Eligible for and not receiving Food Stamps 10 Billion+ Dollars in benefits that get left on the table each year 45% Percentage increase in annual income for some EITC recipients 7% Percentage of families who claim all four major benefits

Understanding the Basics – How Earned Benefits Help Earned benefits and other income supports are crucial for two reasons: 1. Family Success 2. Workplace Success

Understanding the Basics – How Earned Benefits Help Family Success: Budget Gap – Single parent, 2 children, working as a childcare provider, $8. 00/hour Budget Surplus: Up to $2000+/year 2011 Poverty Line for Family of 3 $18, 530/Year

Understanding the Basics – How Earned Benefits Help Child Care Rent & Utilities Basic Needs Transportation Medical Expenses The benefits help workers keep working and care for themselves and their children.

Understanding the Basics – How Earned Benefits Help Workplace Success: ü Decreased absenteeism and presenteeism ü Increased retention ü Greater employee commitment ü Higher-levels of productivity ü Saves on expenditures and profit-loss

Understanding the Basics – How Earned Benefits Help Decreased Absenteeism/Presenteeism: • Routine illness – 29% • Problems with child care – 22% • Transportation for family – 10%

Understanding the Basics – How Earned Benefits Help Increased Retention, Commitment, and Productivity: Employee Support *An effective workplace demonstrates commitment to employees by providing benefit access and support programs along with other opportunities for career advancement and roles in decision-making, which leads to greater organizational and mission success.

Understanding the Basics – How Earned Benefits Help Saves on Expenditures: How much does it cost to fill a $16 k job? $6, 000 - $12, 000 Employee Support

Earned Benefits 101

Earned Benefits 101 – The Earned Income Tax Credit What it is: Up to $5666 in cash back Who it benefits: Workers who earn up to $48, 000 Why it’s important: Largest available income booster How to claim it: Must file taxes In MD: individuals. marylandtaxes. com/taxhelp/

Earned Benefits 101 – The Additional Child Tax Credit What it is: Up to $1000 credit per child Who it benefits: Workers with qualified children ($110 k – married, $75 k single) Why it’s important: Helps offset cost of raising kids How to claim it: Must file taxes In MD: individuals. marylandtaxes. com/taxhelp/

Earned Benefits 101 – Other Major Tax Credits • Child and Dependent Care Credit • American Opportunity Tax Credit

Earned Benefits 101 - Food Stamps What it is: Pays for groceries with Electronic Benefit Transfer Card (EBT) Who it benefits: Low-income families and individuals Why it’s important: Healthy food means a healthy body How to claim it: Online application Independence Card (MD’s EBT) In MD: Up to 35 k (family of four), 44 k (w/senior) - $668/month SAIL MD

Earned Benefits 101 - Women, Infants, and Children Program What it is: Pays for nutrition-related health services Who it benefits: Low-income mothers w/kids under 5 Why it’s important: Helps moms and kids stay healthy How to claim it: Application and check-up In MD: Up to 40 k (family of four) fha. maryland. gov/wic

Earned Benefits 101 – Other Major Nutrition Programs in MD • School Lunch Program • School Breakfast Program • Special Milk Program

Earned Benefits 101 Medical Assistance/Medicaid What it is: Low and no-cost health insurance Who it benefits: Uninsured low-income individuals and families Why it’s important: Covers medical bills and care for uninsured How to claim it: Application In MD: Up to 17. 5 k (family of four) SAIL MD

Earned Benefits 101 - Children’s Health Insurance Program What it is: Low and no-cost Health Who it benefits: Individuals and children who don’t qualify for Medicaid Why it’s important: Covers medical bills for uninsured How to claim it: Application In MD: Up to 44 k (free - family of four) SAIL MD www. dhmh. state. md. us/mma/mchp/

Earned Benefits 101 – Other Major Health Programs in MD • Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program • Medicare Buy -In Program

Earned Benefits 101 - Home and Energy Assistance Program What it is: Help with heating, cooling and weatherization Who it benefits: Low-income and at-risk households Why it’s important: Heating and cooling are central to home safety How to claim it: Application In MD: liheap. ncat. org/profiles/Maryland. htm MHEAP Hotline SAIL MD

Earned Benefits 101 - Foreclosure Assistance What it is: Help with loan modification and refinancing Who it benefits: Homeowners at-risk for losing their homes Why it’s important: Home is essential for family stability How to claim it: Call 877 -462 -7555 In MD: Maryland HOPE Initiative MDHOPE. org

Earned Benefits 101 – Other Housing Assistance Programs • Privately owned subsidized housing • Public Housing • Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

Earned Benefits 101 – Other Benefits and Programs • State Child Care Subsidies (Child Care Works) • Temporary Cash Assistance • Veterans Benefits

Earned Benefits Outreach in the Workplace

Workplace Outreach: Raise Awareness q Include fliers with paychecks/stubs or when distributing W-2 s q Put up posters in the break room or bathrooms q Send out email “benefit blasts” q Talk about benefits during staff meetings q Direct employees to Diakon Inroads EAP

Workplace Outreach: How to Talk About Tax Credits Talking points to emphasize: ü It’s for working families ü They earned it – they should get it! ü The financial crisis ü It’s a simple process Use Language That’s Empowering.

Quick Tips for Workplace Outreach: And Remember! ü Get creative ü Think strategically ü 7 is the magic number

Workplace Outreach: Use Existing Resources Access Information Online: – SAIL MD –marylandsail. org - mdhope. org/ - dhr. maryland. gov - Bridging the Gap page

Workplace Outreach: Use Existing Resources Use Referral Services: Benefits Hotline - 211 DHR General Information - 1 -800 -332 -6347 MHEAP - 1 -800 -352 -1446

LEARN MORE! For more information about benefit outreach or the Bridging the Gap Initiative please contact: Hillary Lazar, Program Director – NHSA 202 -347 -2080 x 15 • Ph 202 -393 -4517 Fax hlazar@nassembly. org