description
Every year, Philadelphians fail to claim approximately $450 million dollars in federal and state benefits that they are eligible and qualify for, including support for food, housing, and healthcare. The reasons that benefits are unclaimed are numerous, including lack of awareness, lack of agency in accessing benefits, and challenges with completing paperwork.1
Patients who are triaged to care in Penn Medicine Emergency Departments (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center) will be approached by research personnel and asked to participate in the study where they will complete two brief surveys assessing their experiences in applying for public benefits in the past, their interest in connecting with public benefits specialists in the ED, any perceived challenges to applying for and enrolling in public benefits, and a baseline summary of the types of public benefits programs the ED patient population may be eligible for.
1 Source: Thompson, N. (2021, March 21). Philadelphians leave $450 million on the table in federal and state benefits annually. Al Dia News.
impact
Insights from this survey study will inform a future randomized controlled pilot focused on trialing an intervention in Penn Medicine Emergency Departments to connect patients with public benefits via a dedicated phone line created in partnership with Benefits Data Trust.
status
in progress
AHE lead(s)
Raina Merchant, MD, MSHP, FAHA, Penn Medicine
funding source
Penn Medicine Dean's Innovation Award
partners
