The Paperless Office System (POS) is an exciting program in collaboration with Met Council, Human Resources Administration (HRA), Single Stop USA and the Robin Hood Foundation. New Yorkers now have improved access to public benefits at 32 Single Stop USA and Jewish Community Councils (JCC) locations that operate year-round throughout all 5 boroughs. These sites are easily accessible to underserved New Yorkers and are located in familiar neighborhood locations, such as community based organizations and food pantries. At these sites, clients are able to meet one-on-one with mulit-lingual and culturally sensitive staff to determine their eligibility for government benefits and electronically apply for Food Stamps and Medicaid in a safe and welcoming environment. Staffs are also able to refer clients to other on-site resources, including financial and legal assistance, all the while reducing hassle and waiting time.
In an effort to spread the word about this new and easy way to screen and enroll for Food Stamps and Medicaid, the Met Council Volunteer Department has recruited volunteers to canvas libraries, grocery stores, delis, CBO's, and other businesses within the target neighborhoods with Help is in Your Neighborhood flyers and posters.
To date, we have distributed approximately 77,000 Help is in Your Neighborhood flyers and posters! According to SSUSA's analysis from 7/1/2010-12/31/2010, there was a 55% increase in the number of clients coming into Single Stop sites because of flyers. This figure includes a 23% discount taken to account for other flyers/non POS outreach flyers used by the sites in the marketing and outreach.
To the volunteers who helped distribute the flyers and posters: We could not have done it without you! Thank you so much for all of your hard work.
