The "What I Need" App + Benefits Screener

Affordable housing and homelessness

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

Every year, 103 million Americans leave $80 billion in benefits unclaimed. Benefit screening technology helps consumers receive the benefits they’ve earned. Individuals who need help can conduct a screening within the WIN App to see if they are eligible for federal, state, and city benefits. The WIN App responds to LA County's homeless crisis. According to the LA Homeless Services Authority, there was a 9% increase in homelessness from 2022-2023. Despite improved housing ability, the rate of homelessness in LA County is still rising. Chronic and newly homeless, and housing and resource insecure populations struggle to access the social services programs they need. In addition, those who are unhoused, unstably housed, or struggling with resource insecurity are often unaware of the totality of benefits available to them. Accessing such benefits will strengthen their ability to remain housed, successfully retain new housing, and take steps towards health, job, and life security.

Available 24/7, the WIN App enables users to access 2,300+ programs and receive alerts about free community events and resource fairs plus a free HUD Housing eligibility survey. These services are essential but at times may not be enough to stabilize a family or individual. OCLA is proposing to add a simple screening survey to WIN that will ask users questions about household income, expenses, members and circumstances and then provide a list of benefits for which they may qualify plus tips on how to apply. OCLA will develop new code and interface design in partnership with a well-established software partner to make this tool a reality - for the first time, bringing benefits screening technology directly to the public. The objective of the WIN App + Benefits Screener effort is to improve user access to needed benefits by streamlining a complex process thereby saving time, stress, and trauma while also exponentially increasing WIN’s ability to empower individuals who are struggling to make positive change in their lives. WIN was designed to be a social justice tool; adding a benefits screen will go a long way in breaking information barriers and offering meaningful choices. Outreach and education play a vital role in the success of the WIN App + Benefits Screener. OCLA carefully designs outreach to reach deeply into high-need communities, leveraging its 40+ nonprofit and government partners and the voices of OCLA staff, many who have the lived experience of homelessness.

If this program is successful, the screening tool within the WIN App will educate more people about the programs and services for which they may qualify, addressing fundamental needs such as food access, education, healthcare, financial assistance, housing security, and tax preparation. By bridging the gap between Angelenos and the services and benefits that they need, the addition of a benefits screener in WIN will simplify the challenging journey toward economic sustainability. Those who use the screening tool will not only learn about benefits for which they qualify, but will also receive tips on how to apply for these resources through the WIN App.

While measuring the success of a Benefits Screener in the WIN App will be grounded in principles of social equity and respect for user privacy/dignity that underlie the WIN App (anonymous use by design), an impact analysis of benefits results will be possible. At this time, OCLA plans to report on the number of times the screener is taken to completion, the number and type of new benefits households learn they are eligible to receive, and the total and average number of new benefits promoted to households overall. OCLA measures the impact of WIN and outreach education by collecting general usage data, user endorsements, community outreach numbers, the number of partners promoting the App, and the number of HUD Surveys taken. Impact is also measured in terms of our 40+ LA County community nonprofits and cities who are actively working to educate the communities they serve about the WIN App. Similar metrics will be used to evaluate and measure the impact of the Benefits Screener.