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Benefits Calculator Added to Bridge to Benefits Screening Tool

A new feature that calculates benefit amounts for the public programs and tax credits that are included on the Bridge to Benefits screening tool was recently added to improve the capacity of the Bridge to Benefits website in helping families understand the value of enrolling in public work support programs and claiming tax credits. Now, after completing the screening tool, families receive both a list of public programs/tax credits for which they appear eligible and an estimate of the potential benefit amounts they might receive from each program.  

Adding this new feature serves two purposes; to show families the total value these programs can have on their economic stability and to encourage them to complete the enrollment processes for all the programs for which they appear eligible.  Because the Bridge to Benefits screening tool does not ask for all the information that is needed to determine benefit amounts accurately, the amounts that appear are broad estimates or ranges, based on a maximum benefit amount.  The actual benefit amounts the family receives may be different. 

Bridge to Benefits was launched in 2007 in an effort to improve the economic stability of low-income working families by connecting them to an array of public work support programs and tax credits.  The project relies on a website that is a one-stop shop for information on public programs and includes a quick screening tool for families to help them determine their potential eligibility for the programs. The specific programs/tax credits included on the Bridge to Benefits site are the health care programs (MinnesotaCare, Medical Assistance and General Assistance Medical Care), Food Support, School Meal, WIC, Energy Assistance and Child Care Assistance and two tax credits, the Earned Income and Working Family Tax Credits.  For more information, visit the website at www.bridgetobenefits.org or call 651-855-1176.