POLICY CHANGES CAN INCREASE ACCESS TO ASSISTANCE

Six states participating in a work support strategies initiative identified and

adopted various policy changes to improve the delivery of work supports to low-

income families. By simplifying program policies by, for example, reducing unnecessary verification requirements, they sought to streamline access to work support programs. Simultaneously, they sought to align policies across different work support programs to reduce administrative burdens on families that qualify for more than one program. Through both kinds of policy changes—within and across programs—states sought to improve access to and retention of benefits. In SNAP, for example, changes reduced the use of face-to-face interviews, simplified verification requirements, and lengthened certification periods.

Source: Urban Institute, 3/29/16, Policy Changes