Benefits Data Trust

Benefits Data Trust We are a national nonprofit harnessing the power of data, tech, and policy to improve people's health

Founded in 2005, Benefits Data Trust is a national nonprofit organization committed to transforming how individuals in need access public benefits. BDT believes all vulnerable individuals should be able to secure the benefits that enable them to achieve stability. In its effort to create a benefits access system that is simple, comprehensive, and cost-effective, BDT partners with government agenci

es, corporations, national organizations and local community partners to decrease barriers and increase access to vital benefits and services. Since its inception in 2005, BDT has submitted over 470,000 benefit applications on behalf of people in need, resulting in approximately $4.7 billion in benefits delivered to low-income individuals and families.

In partnership with Center for Health Care Strategies, we’ve released new findings on how the federal government can sup...
05/08/2023

In partnership with Center for Health Care Strategies, we’ve released new findings on how the federal government can support states in improving data coordination between SNAP and Medicaid and best practices for states to maximize impact. By improving data sharing between benefit programs, identifying and enrolling eligible households can be easier for families and program staff.

Read the report on our national survey of 46 states and DC: https://lnkd.in/eqJsK45S

Special thank you to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for their support and dedication to improving the health and well-being of everyone in America.

BDT estimates that over one-third of Pennsylvania Medicaid beneficiaries aren't enrolled in SNAP despite their likely el...
03/07/2023

BDT estimates that over one-third of Pennsylvania Medicaid beneficiaries aren't enrolled in SNAP despite their likely eligibility. In partnership with UPMC Health Plan, we've screened plan members for benefits and helped deliver over $7 million in assistance to help families pay for food, healthcare, and more.

Our work together is an example of the value of working across sectors to holistically address social drivers of health. “When healthcare partners like UPMC Health Plan take initiative to connect low-income members to nutrition assistance and other benefits, they also improve health equity and help Pennsylvania households achieve greater economic stability.” - CEO Trooper Sanders

Read more: https://bdtrust.org/innovative-collaboration-improves-health-of-pennsylvanians/

Announced during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, we’re excited to unveil our new toolkit to...
02/15/2023

Announced during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, we’re excited to unveil our new toolkit to help colleges use data to identify students eligible for critical food, healthcare, and internet benefits! Each year, millions of college students struggle to pay for their education and basic needs, and a disproportionate amount are first-generation or students of color.
Our toolkit aims to help institutions enable all students to put food on the table, improve health outcomes, focus on school, and graduate.

See the toolkit: https://lnkd.in/eARSHArR

Join us on 3/21 for a walk-through of the toolkit and hear from higher ed leaders: https://bdtrust https://lnkd.in/ebfJZy-d

Special thank you to our Toolkit Advisory Council: Maria Buck, Diane Cheng, David Croom, Rashida Crutchfield, Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Rachelle Feldman, Angela Johnson, Precious Miller, Mary Utter, Omari Burnside, and Tom Biedscheid

Thank you Comcast for their support and commitment toward making students’ college journeys more attainable and equitable.

01/09/2023

Benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC are powerful tools that provide families access to food, medicine, and other vital resources. Yet millions of eligible people miss out on this critical assistance each year, leaving over $80 billion in benefits untapped nationally. Data sharing can help close this gap, and we have released a step-by-step Playbook that gives government agencies guidance.

Created with support from the Walmart Foundation, the Playbook is informed by BDT’s nearly 20 years of experience, as well as interviews with 35 city, state, federal officials and other experts in the benefits access and data sharing spaces.

Learn more and download the Playbook here ➡️https://bdtrust.org/bolstering-benefits-access-introducing-benefits-data-trust%E2%80%99s-new-data-sharing-playbook/

How do you craft an outreach campaign that effectively reaches more families eligible for assistance that pays for inter...
12/22/2022

How do you craft an outreach campaign that effectively reaches more families eligible for assistance that pays for internet service?

Known as the Affordable Connectivity Program, this benefit helps low-income families afford high-speed internet connection – an essential in the modern world. BDT recently launched the first phase of a multi-year effort to promote participation in the ACP through outreach to eligible families in seven states and guidance to government agencies and other organizations nationwide.

In a new video, BDT’s Ryan Lauko, Jessica Westbrook, and Jenee Saffold discuss the value of data-driven outreach to increase awareness and enrollment in the ACP, based on our nearly 20-year experience of working to increase access to other benefit programs.

Watch now: https://bdtrust.org/affordable-connectivity-program-how-to-outreach-effectively/

12/19/2022

As 2022 ends, we’re thrilled to have participated in many great events across the country working to advance health equity and improve our nation’s benefits access system! These opportunities to shape critical conversations and share BDT’s expertise on how we can move the needle in making benefit programs better meet the needs of today’s families has made us very excited for the year ahead.

Special thank you to all our staff for representing Benefits Data Trust at both in-person and virtual gatherings throughout 2022! Your work and dedication make our mission possible.

#2022

With support from Comcast, we’re excited to launch a new multi-year effort to promote participation in the Affordable Co...
12/12/2022

With support from Comcast, we’re excited to launch a new multi-year effort to promote participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program nationwide. Today, 1 in 5 American households aren’t connected to the internet, which is essential for employment, education, healthcare, and civic life. The Affordable Connectivity Program helps low-income families afford high-speed connection and gain access to the digital world.

Almost a year since it was created, 15 million households have been enrolled in ACP; but more than two-thirds of the estimated 48 million total eligible households are still missing out on this historic broadband benefit!

Read about the 3️⃣ key ways we’ll work to improve program access and connect more eligible families to ACP: https://bdtrust.org/benefits-data-trust-launches-effort-to-increase-participation-in-the-affordable-connectivity-program/

In 2019, we partnered with College Board to create Wyatt and help more high school seniors access college aid. We're exc...
11/30/2022

In 2019, we partnered with College Board to create Wyatt and help more high school seniors access college aid. We're excited to share key findings from our third year on students' experiences with Wyatt, its impact on FAFSA completion rates, and how text message assistance can make college access more equitable.

📝 Students who used Wyatt completed the FAFSA at higher rates compared to others who didn’t

🙌 84% of Wyatt users described their experience as “good” or “excellent”

📱 76% of students who opted into Wyatt responded to at least one text message

Read more: https://bdtrust.org/texting-chatbot-helps-more-high-school-students-to-apply-for-college-aid/

Our Higher Education Innovation Team is currently exploring opportunities to use Wyatt in new contexts and alongside new partners. To learn more, or to schedule a demo of Wyatt, reach out to us: [email protected].

Congratulations to BDT’s very own Afia Kyalo, who has been recognized by Technical.ly as one of 2022’s RealLIST Enginee...
10/25/2022

Congratulations to BDT’s very own Afia Kyalo, who has been recognized by Technical.ly as one of 2022’s RealLIST Engineers in Philly! Previously a BDT Benefits Outreach Specialist helping eligible families apply for benefits over the phone, Afia now works as a Software Engineer on our Data & Technology team. Her work supports PRISM, our key application tool to determine all the critical benefits an individual or family may qualify for.

We’re proud and grateful to have her at BDT, helping us continue to serve people better today, while modernizing benefits access to help even more people tomorrow!

See Afia's nomination here: https://technical.ly/software-development/reallist-engineers-2022-philly/

How can government modernize SNAP, WIC, and other programs to better serve today's families? BDT's Alissa Weiss shares o...
10/12/2022

How can government modernize SNAP, WIC, and other programs to better serve today's families? BDT's Alissa Weiss shares our work to improve benefits access and advance statewide change with NC Department of Health and Human Services and the state of Washington’s multi-agency Health and Human Services Coalition Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Department Of Social And Health Services, and Washington State Health Care Authority.

Learn more: https://bdtrust.org/promoting-equity-and-dignity-in-benefits-access-supporting-north-carolina-and-washington-in-advancing-statewide-change/

Special thank you to Blue Meridian Partners for recognizing the power of benefits to change lives and your support in making these modernization initiatives possible.

Big news 🎉! In collaboration with The White House’s Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, we will be launching a ...
09/28/2022

Big news 🎉! In collaboration with The White House’s Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, we will be launching a new toolkit to help higher education institutions better reach students eligible for SNAP, Medicaid, and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Many college students today are first-gen, over age 25, or parents – which means they’re juggling education, daily life, and family responsibilities. According to a Hope College survey, in 2021, nearly 3 in 5 students experienced basic needs insecurity. And while student hunger has been a problem since before the pandemic, it will only get worse when COVID-19 relief measures end. If we want to develop a successful, diverse workforce of the future, we need to make sure students have the tools and resources to thrive.

Learn more about our upcoming toolkit and the existing ways we can improve access to assistance for students: https://bdtrust.org/helping-students-secure-basic-needs/

When the pandemic’s health emergency declaration ends, how can we ensure families eligible for Medicaid stay covered? Wi...
09/07/2022

When the pandemic’s health emergency declaration ends, how can we ensure families eligible for Medicaid stay covered? With support from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, we are leading a learning collaborative with six states – who collectively account for 17.5 million Medicaid enrollees – to advance policies and processes that protect access to health coverage.

Find out more about our initiative: https://lnkd.in/gaGZa_Pv

Special thank you to the dedicated state agencies in our cohort – California Department of Health Care Services, Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services, North Dakota Department of Human Services, Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and Washington State Health Care Authority.

Address

Center Square West, 1500 Market Streeet, Suite 2809
Philadelphia, PA
19102

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+12152079100

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