Heartland Rural Health Network Inc Heartland Rural Health Network

Heartland Rural Health Network,
Network Inc.
Inc
SNAP Outreach Program
Presented by:
Kelly J. Johnson, Health Planning Director
Angela Hendry, Outreach & Eligibility Specialist
Outreach Coalition Meeting
17
February
b
1 th, 2011
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
Project funded at least in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this presentation do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the USDA, nor does
mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.
Organization
g
Background
g
y Heartland Rural Health Network is nony
y
y
y
profit organization
Established in 1993 with primary purpose
of determining best possible ways to
organize health services to rural residents
Cover a five county rural area in
Florida—most
Florida
most focus on 3 most rural
counties in area (Highlands, Hardee,
DeSoto)
Association of over 20 health and social
service providers
Access to SNAP benefits can impact
health status
Need For Outreach Program
y Focused on senior population (60+)
y Highlands,
Hardee, DeSoto Counties, Florida
g
(rural)
y Highlands has 2nd highest senior population
in United States (65 +, U.S. Census)
y 16% seniors (60+) living at or below 125%
FPL (13.5% Florida)
y Lower utilization rates of SNAP benefits (67%
eligible but not participating; Florida 54%)
y Florida emphasizes use of online application
system which is a significant barrier for
seniors to apply
Framework of Outreach Program
y Hired one Outreach & Eligibility Specialist
y Partner with organizations that specifically serve low
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
income seniors (e.g. NuHope, Parish Nurses, Meals on
Wheels, etc)
Work closely with two FL Department & Children
District Offices to address application issues,
issues areas of
concern, questions, etc.
Combination of information sessions in small group
settings, senior health fairs, free press releases
Provide application assistance and education on the
process (individual, caregivers, family, partners)
All ppotential clients are screened using
g DCF standards
Utilize excel spreadsheet to track client cases
Follow up with clients via phone on a scheduled basis to
determine outcome of case/amount receivingg
Costs minimal– most office items donated, budget to
cover local travel and OES salary
Program Difficulties
y Remote areas—difficulty with homebound
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
seniors
Lack of access to computers
p
Lack of knowledge of computers
Paper applications allowed, but difficult to
track and ensure they are received by DCF
Communication from DCF on case status can
be confusing for seniors
Difficulty getting a DCF representative on
phone for interview or follow-up questions
Difficulty faxing/copying documents for DCF
Expenses related to medical conditions (e.g.
(e g
electric for oxygen machines) that are not
counted towards medical expense deduction
Difficulty with changes in Share of Cost for
Medicaid
Tips on Addressing Difficulties
y Screens can be done on phone
y Home visit to homebound seniors (avg.
y
y
y
y
y
y
3/month)
Constant communication with DCF district
office on cases where problems arise
H i excell tracking
Having
t ki sheet
h t to
t follow-up
f ll
with
ith
clients
Educating representatives at senior
organi ations on application process
organizations
Relying on community partners to fax/copy
documents DCF needs
W k with
Work
i h DCF case by
b case basis
b i for
f electric
l i
deductions for medically required equipment
Being polite with clients and keeping
communication
i ti lines
li
open with
ith both
b th clients
li t andd
DCF
Program Outcomes
y Average 34 screens per month
y Average 21 applications/reapplications submitted
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
per month
51% SNAP approval rate; 10% receive SNAP &
add’l assistance
20% applications denied based on over asset,
asset over
income, or other reasons (often times add’l income,
assets not disclosed during screen/application)
3% SNAP denied but approved for other benefits
(Medicaid, premium assistance)
7% applications withdrawn per client request
15% case closed
l d ddue tto no contact
t t made
d bby OES after
ft
application submitted (5 attempts)
4% application outcomes pending
14% increase in SNAP participation rates for eligible
seniors in tri-county area (2008 thru 2010)
Program Outcomes, cont.
y OES also spends at least 15% of her time
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
faxing/copying documents for clients, answering
questions,
ti
etc.
t
Average senior benefit amount per month $100.59
Largest senior benefit amount per month $ 367.00
Minimum senior benefit amount per month$ 17.00
SNAP opens doors for other community services
& benefits (Meals on Wheels, NuHope, Medicare Premium, etc)
Caregivers educated on financial assistance
through NuHope program
Agencies commit to helping program continue
Teaching clients & support systems how to go
through the process
Additi l ddollars
Additional
ll tto hhelp
l with
ith daily
d il living
li i
expenses
For more information
F
i f
ti or
questions please contact:
Angela Hendry
Outreach & Eligibility
Specialist
((863)) 452-0638
angela.hendry@hrhn.org