Maryland has launched its United Benefits Screener, an online tool that allows Marylanders to quickly and easily check their eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Emergency Assistance, Women Infants and Children (WIC), and Home Energy Assistance Program (OHEP) benefits.
The new tool, a joint initiative between the Maryland Departments of Human Services, Health, and Information Technology, was developed with a person-centered and mobile-first design.
“Our administration is committed to sweating the details of governing and implementing common sense solutions that make life better for Marylanders,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “In partnership, we are helping more families access essential services and building a government that serves the people.”
The tool only requires users to input basic, non-identifying information including household size, basic income and expenses, and disability status. Based on input, the tool helps users to identify potential benefits for which they or someone in their family may be eligible and encourages them to apply. The state stressed that no documentation or account is required. The process takes approximately five minutes and can be completed from a laptop, library computer, or smartphone.
“The Unified Benefits Screener is a testament to statewide partnership, engineering, and human-centered design,” said Maryland Department of Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage. “It’s a big step forward that will help us serve more Marylanders. The state’s new Unified Benefits Screener is an example of how we plan to leverage technology going forward as an online home for data-driven, technical innovations. As we consolidate more in-house technical expertise and deepen partnerships between state agencies, we’ll see even more Marylanders served through intuitive, human-centered solutions like this.”
The new screener is a key step in Maryland’s journey towards a comprehensive, unified benefits application that is scheduled for release in 2025. Once released, the application will allow Marylanders to apply for all benefits using a single application – rather than spending time applying for each benefit individually. State leaders said the enhanced technology will better serve Marylanders by simplifying the benefits application process, making it easier for Marylanders to access, apply for, and manage their benefits.
“The Unified Benefits Screener is a simple idea that people shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the help they need,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott. “Yet, time and again, we saw Marylanders, hardworking families, parents, and individuals getting caught in a system that felt overwhelming and complicated. That’s not how it should be. We are excited about the opportunity for customers to have a more comprehensive understanding of what benefits they are eligible for and readily apply.”
