When money is already tight, every dollar saved can be the difference between crisis and survival. That’s why programs like BenePhilly at Clarifi, offering free application help for public benefits in Philadelphia like SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, and more, are a critical resource.
BenePhilly and benefits access plays an important role in financial health and supplements what we already do with free financial empowerment and housing counseling. -Regina, BenePhilly Service Delivery Manager
We sat down with Regina Stevens, Service Delivery Manager of the BenePhilly program at Clarifi, to learn more about BenePhilly and the importance of public benefits access:
Can you tell us a little about what BenePhilly is?
“BenePhilly is an initiative that was started by the city of Philadelphia’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity. The goal is to make accessing city, state, and federal benefits easier for Philadelphia residents. We not only help people with [submitting their initial] applications, but we maintain communication with them all the way until enrollment and even post-enrollment. Currently, I’m working with a staff of three counselors, and we have our fantastic navigators who help with scheduling appointments. Clarifi is the hub where the BenePhilly helpline is housed, and we then refer out to other BenePhilly centers as needed.”
and Joon Kim, Program Navigator
What are some of the most common questions or needs that you see from clients?
“What the counselors and navigators tend to relay is that people are calling for two main reasons:
a) Because they’re having issues with either maintaining their benefits, maybe because of a miscommunication [with] the county assistance office, or
b) Because they are trying to get information about these new work requirements.
A lot of our work is advocating or trying to assist people with maintaining benefits and knowing what direction they should take in order to be able to submit the correct documentation.”
Are BenePhilly counselors keeping up with policy changes and updates from the federal and state government? Is BenePhilly a place that people could call if they have questions about keeping access to benefits or things changing as legislation changes?
“Absolutely. There are going to be some new eligibility requirements people have to meet in order to maintain benefits. We have been attending frequent seminars and trainings from organizations like Community Legal Services, and we also have quarterly meetings with the Department of Human Services, which oversees the Philadelphia county assistance offices, to stay abreast of what changes are coming up with SNAP and Medicaid.
This information is especially important for people who are trying to understand whether or not they are eligible for an exemption to these requirements and, if they are eligible, what documents they have to complete in order to submit that information to the county assistance office.”
What is some advice that you’d give about accessing public benefits? Do you have any general advice or words of wisdom in terms of reaching out for resources?
“First and foremost: make sure that you are knowledgeable about these things, and if you have questions make sure you reach out early. Because what we’re finding too is that people are getting information late. And that could be due to factors like people not having the proper address on file with their county assistance officers, or whoever they’re doing this work with (because that could be the several different offices).
But the key is to always make sure that you’re staying up to date, that you’re reaching out. If you do have assigned case workers, make sure that you reach out to them and ask them questions. That’s what these people are getting paid for. And, you know, just use your resources, like calling into us [the BenePhilly Helpline at Clarifi] at 1-800-994-5537.
So again, just making sure that you’re reaching out and reaching out early. Don’t wait until the last minute because a lot of times it can be much more difficult if you do.”
In your view, how does BenePhilly integrate with the rest of Clarifi’s continuum of financial stability services?
“I think BenePhilly really helps contribute to that foundation of becoming more financially stable and really having economic mobility.
I’ll give you an example. Say, for instance, we’re working with seniors living on fixed incomes. We’ve had seniors come in who didn’t even know that they were eligible for benefits. So just by going through a screener, they were able to see that, oh, wow, I’m eligible to receive help with my utilities through LIHEAP. I can get a couple of dollars to put toward my grocery bill! And I may be able to get help with utilities through other utility programs like CAP and CRP, which can help individuals who are on fixed incomes. So, like you said, because our whole goal is to make sure that people are financially stable, if there’s programs out there that folks can benefit from to help keep money in their pocket, that’s just a win-win.
So, I definitely think that BenePhilly and benefits access plays an important role and supplements what we already do with free financial empowerment and housing counseling. We want people to know that they do have these other resources to help them if they’re trying to build up credit or manage their monthly budgets. Public benefits can really help offset these things.”
And lastly, what would you say to anybody who might feel any shame or stigma about making use of public benefits?
“It’s nothing that anyone should feel bad about. I’ve explained to people before: at the end of the day, especially those who’ve been working, this is money that you’ve already paid into the system. And like I said, all of us, at one time or another, may have fallen on hard times, and this is why these programs exist. Somebody told me one time: if the money is there, take it. Especially when you’re eligible and it can be a help to you. It’s nothing to feel bad about–this is why these programs are there.”
To make a free appointment with a member of our BenePhilly team, call 1-800-994-5537 today!