Bridge Beyond Benefits is an 18-month program that was established to help people whose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Child Care benefits decreased or were discontinued due to higher employment income. Often times people lose more in benefits than they gain in income, leaving them struggling to make ends meet. To address this, Bridge Beyond Benefits provides a bridge of support to help people safely transition off of public assistance to financial self-reliance. Over time, the program has expanded to assist even more categories of individuals facing similar challenges.

 

Participant Receives:

• Personalized Coaching: Work extensively with a Success Coach at least once per week (in person, virtually, phone, text). They will schedule around your work hours.
• Goal Setting and Success Planning: Set clear goals and create a plan to achieve self-sufficiency by 18 months.
• Specialist Support: Meet with:
  • A financial counselor for budgeting and more
  • An employment and career counselor to plan for long-term higher earnings
  • Other specialists for personalized guidance
• Personal Finance Education: Complete a 12 unit online personal finance course.
• Financial Incentives: Receive rewards for achieving specific goals.
• Short-Term Supports: Receive support services to help overcome unexpected challenges.

Expectations of Participant

• Commit to remain in the program for the entire 18 months.
• Dedicate a minimum of about 1-3 hours per week to meet with various coaches and work toward success goals.
• Make decisions and life changes that lead to long-term success and self-reliance.

Eligibility Requirements:

Can come from any one of these four groups. Must meet all criteria in the group.

• Employed individuals:
  • Working at least 20 hours per week
  • Receiving SNAP or Child Care
  • SNAP or Child Care benefits have decreased at any point because of higher earned income.
  • Wants to increase wage and/or hours with the desire to go off SNAP
  • Working at least 20 hours per week
  • SNAP or Child Care benefits were closed in the past 60 days because of higher earned income.
  • Receiving SNAP or Child Care
  • In a short-term training program (4 months or less) through WIOA or SNAP E&T
  • Expected to begin employment within 60 days of the training program ending
• Employed individuals:
• Individuals not employed:
• Non-custodial parents:

• Receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or Child Care
• Employed or unemployed
• Actively engaged with the Cuyahoga County Office of Child Support Services
• Paying child support or have the goal of paying their child support
• If unemployed, employment must begin within 60 days of entering Bridge Beyond Benefits

Additional requirements for all four groups:

• Must be:
  • A U.S. citizen or non-citizen national or qualified alien
  • A resident of Ohio and live in the state of Ohio
• Must not be:
  • Serving a sanction period for SNAP or Ohio Works First (OWF)
  • Serving an Intentional Program Violation ineligibility period
  • Paying back a fraud overpayment for OWF or Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC)
• Must be the primary caretaker of a child in the home or be at least 6 months pregnant (unless eligible under #4 above).
• Fall under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Complete an assessment with a score range between 44-88 points, based on questions that evaluate key elements such as housing, education, and employment.
• Meet with a Success Coach for a personalized interview to determine program fit, as Bridge Beyond Benefits is not an entitlement program.