The Safety "Net": Online Access to Benefits for Working Families

Publication Date: January 2003

Publisher: Center for Law and Social Policy

Author(s): Elise Richer

Research Area: Education; Social conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

CLASP examined state-sponsored websites to determine how many states provide Internet access to work supports and to what degree such programs were electronically accessible. We found that almost every state at least provides information on the Internet about offered programs. Most states provide something further, such as an eligibility calculator or a downloadable application, particularly for public health insurance programs. But very few sites allow users to apply for a program online. Overall, there is significant potential for states to do much more to use the Internet to improve the accessibility of work supports.

A 5-page brief is included as a supplementary file.