ADvancing States and NCOA are pleased to announce the award winners for the Innovations in Benefits Outreach: National Contest to Identify Promising Practices in Benefits Outreach to Persons with Disabilities and Older Adults. Benefit programs assist millions of financially vulnerable persons with disabilities and older adults. Reaching potentially eligible individuals is a vital factor in increasing enrollment rates in benefit programs. This contest was designed to identify promising practices that strengthen our understanding of successful outreach strategies.
- New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services (https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/), a state agency serving older adults and persons with disabilities in New Jersey, was selected for the first place award. New Jersey designed and launched NJSave, an online application to help low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities save on medical care, prescriptions, and other living expenses. New Jersey’s online portal and outreach strategy provides an opportunity to educate and reach more eligible individuals and increase enrollment in benefit programs.
- Feeding the Gulf Coast (https://www.feedingthegulfcoast.org/), a non-profit organization serving many populations, including older adults and persons with disabilities, in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle, was selected for the second place award. Feeding the Gulf Coast’s food bag program increased the number of people willing to apply for benefits. The food bag program provides an opportunity to reach individuals who may have previously been hesitant to seek benefits assistance.
ADvancing States and NCOA congratulate all of the award winners! We look forward to highlighting and sharing their innovative practices with aging and disability networks nationwide.