Purpose

The purpose of this study was to better understand how families with young children are experiencing the enrollment and recertification processes for priority benefits programs, as well as to gather feedback on how impacted populations would like to see these processes improved.

Method

The Children’s Agenda surveyed 50 parents about their experiences navigating four programs targeted at supporting low-income families, especially during a child’s earliest years. We also spoke with policy experts, reviewed changes to those programs that were put in place during or after the COVID-19 pandemic, and analyzed publicly available program participation data.

Findings

• Regulatory flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed more people to enroll and benefit from various public assistance programs. Continuous programmatic coverage and fewer administrative hurdles like in-person interview requirements sustained or grew enrollments.
• New York State has taken advantage of increased funding or ongoing flexibility from the federal government to increase eligibility (where possible) and remove administrative burdens (when allowed).
• Parents surveyed as a part of this process recognize some of the improvements made over the past several years, but remain frustrated by administrative hurdles and the stigmatizing nature of the application process.
• It is hard for some families to take full advantage of certain programs due to difficulties redeeming benefits like WIC or child care assistance.

Recommendations

1. Expedite roll-out of the Integrated Eligibility System to streamline applications and recertifications
2. Advocate with the federal government to build on the progress made during the Public Health Emergency
3. Ease benefit use through better incentives for providers and more creativity in how and where participants can use benefits
4. Prioritize reducing burdens and increasing uptake in recommendations made by the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council