Web-Based Benefit Access Tools: Mitigating Barriers for Special Needs Populations

This paper summarizes findings from eight in-depth case studies conducted for the "Helping Vulnerable Populations Access Public Benefits through Web-based Tools and Outreach" project. The paper discusses specific barriers and needs among the various segments of the low-income population with respect to access and use of web-based benefit access tools, and provides examples of strategies intended to mitigate these problems. Low-income populations included in the report include: limited English speakers and noncitizens; homeless and unstably housed individuals; reentering prisoners; rural populations; students; veterans; and seniors. All papers related to this project are available at http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/11/benefitsaccessproject/.