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EDUCATION & ADVOCACY FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY: Center for
Benefits & Services
Fighting urban poverty by ensuring access to
public benefits for every eligible New YorkerThe Community
Service Society of New York (CSS)seeks to reduce poverty by
ensuring eligible New Yorkerscan access public benefits to which
they are entitled, butwhich go unclaimed, year after year.
Need by the Numbers
In the face of extraordinary need, some $2 billion instate and
federal aid set aside for poor New Yorkers goesunclaimed by those
who are eligible.
The main reasons:
New Yorkers are not aware of eligibilityBarriers to applying for
benefits are too great--especially for those who cant take time off
fromwork--and low-literacy populations, such as newimmigrantsSocial
service providers on the front lines areoverworked, understaffed,
and simply dont have thecapacity to serve the many New Yorkers in
need
CSS Responds:
The Center for Benefits and Services
In 2007, CSS launched the Center for Benefits &
Services(CBS), combining its renowned Public Benefits
ResourceCenter, Tenant Advocacy Project, and client serviceswork,
with the specific goal of increasing access to publicbenefits for
low-income New Yorkersmany of whomare employed but still unable to
make ends meet.
CBS annually serves more than 1,000 professionals whorepresent
300+ CBOs across New York City, ultimatelyhelping 100,000
low-income families and individualsobtain more than 75 different
public benefits, such asMedicaid, Child Health Plus, Food Stamps,
housing
supports, Cash Assistance, SSI, Earned Income TaxCredits, and
unemployment benefits, and much more.Access to public benefits
helps individuals and familiesout of poverty and strengthens the
Citys economy at thesame time.
Our Approach:
Training the Trainers
Technical assistance: CBS provides year-round,in-depth public
benefits access trainings tailored to socialservice professionals.
Sample topics include: Overviewof Domestic Violence Services and
Resources;Immigrants Eligibility for Public Benefits;Housing
Court; and Child Support and Public Benefits.
Consultation services: CBS staff provides one-on-oneassistance
to social service professionals on particularprograms or client
issues. Such support includesidentification of key government
contacts who can helpresolve problems, or assistance in overcoming
stumblingblocks on a given clients case.
Publications: CBS publishes manuals, guides, andbrochures on
public benefit programs and public housingfor both the professional
and the consumer. The CBSPublicBenefits Manualis a comprehensive
guide for the
social service professional on more than 75 benefits
andservices, providing information on basic
eligibility,application, and recertification procedures.
Policy development:CBS works with CSSs researchand policy
experts, using front-line, real-time experiencesof CBS partners to
help shape policy solutions toprevalent access obstacles.
Client services: Individual clients referred by CSSpartners
receive one-on-one case management across arange of areas,
including benefits, housing, and healthinsurance navigation. Cash
assistance grants are alsoprovided for clients in crisis.
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EDUCATION & ADVOCACY FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY: Center for
Benefits &
Services-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CBS Partnership InitiativeStrengthening programs that help
New Yorkers
CBS programs and services help thousands of low-income
New Yorkers, many of whom are struggling to obtain jobs.The
Center also works to assist employed New Yorkerswhose wages dont
cover the high cost of rent, food, andmedical care in our city.
The CBS Partnership Initiative, launched in January 2009,teams
the Community Service Society with communitybased organizations
(CBOs) that promote employment andincreased economic stability
through job training programs.Through The Partnership Initiative,
CBS provides technicaltraining and assistance to the CBO staff,
better enablingtheir clients to receive a range of public benefits
thatenhance their ability to successfully complete their job
training programs.
CSSs combination of expertise in and ability to accesspublic
benefits programs, housing, financialassistance/management and
more, significantly builds thecapacity of the CBOs.
For example, assistance with accessing child care, foodstamps or
other transitional work related benefits allowindividuals to take
the first step into employment or be ableto sustain a job.
Partnering agencies in turn help quantify problems
encountered by families attempting to use availablebenefits, and
participate in guiding new advocacycampaigns and the development of
CSSs policy agenda.
Level I and Level IIPartners can attend all trainings free
ofcharge, use the on-line Public Benefits Manualand
getindividualized consultation from our benefit experts. LevelI
Partners also have access to financial assistance for
theirparticipants.
Visit www.cssny.org for a list of Partnership
Initiativeorganizations.
Joining the fight against eviction, displacement
The extraordinary rent-income pressures of New York Cityhave a
destabilizing effect on poor communities, placingmillions of
low-income New Yorkers at risk of housinghardships and
displacement. CBS remains an activemember of the Emergency Rent
Coalition (ERC). The ERCis committed to assisting and advocating
for New Yorkersat risk of eviction/homelessness by providing
education andrelief to families threatened with eviction. We take
referralsfor eviction prevention assistance from other
ERCmembers.
The assistance I received through CBS
helped make it possible for me to complete
my Commercial Drivers License training with
flying colors, and get the job I love.
Martha Hernandez, a professional motor coach operator,received
rent, licensing fee and other assistance from CBSthrough a
partnership with Brooklyn Workforce Innovations.
The Community Service Society is an informed,independent,
unwavering voice for positive action that serves
the needs of our constituents-low-income New Yorkers.
Through applied research, advocacy, litigation, and
innovative
program models, CSS shapes actionable policy solutions that
strengthen and benefit all New Yorkers.
http://www.cssny.org/http://www.cssny.org/
