Integrated Social Services: A Case Study of EITC, Vita, and SNAP Among Low-Income Families with Young Children

Background/Purpose: Integrated social service refers to coordinated access to services across multiple delivery systems. It aims to improve service access, meet clients’ multifaceted needs, and promote effectiveness/efficiency. For example, when a family reaches out to a social service agency, they likely need multiple services and may benefit from service integration. Integration of social services in healthcare has become a major trend to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities. However, integrating social services beyond healthcare is slow-moving. It requires different service organizations to come together to identify overlaps of target populations, understand clients’ diverse needs, and create effective integration models. This study aims to demonstrate a service integration model with a VITA organization and a food bank in an urban area and explore the integration of EITC, VITA, and SNAP—three vital social service programs for low-income families.

Methods: To understand low-income families’ needs for tax and nutrition services, we first collected data from clients of both agencies (n=44). Then data collection was expanded to a national level through an online survey of low-income families (≤180% FPL) with young children, comparable to those served by these agencies. We conducted data analysis to understand the needs for tax (financial) and nutrition services of this population served by the two organizations and further piloted a streamlined service model to integrate SNAP registration at VITA sites.

Results: The model was implemented on two agencies, one providing VITA tax service for EITC families and another providing SNAP enrollment assistance. The potential for service integration lies in the fact that family financial documents must be presented for services. The (financial) information collected for routine service may be used for eligibility assessment for other services that could be needed/utilized by the client. Our survey data indicates that 80.3% of families are enrolled in one or more social assistance programs (e.g., EITC, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, housing assistance) indicating a need for integrated services, and an alarming rate of families (40%) experience severe food insecurity. Among those receiving EITC/VITA tax service, 60% of SNAP non-participating families were interested in SNAP. On the other hand, among those obtaining SNAP enrollment assistance, none sought out EITC/VITA tax service which they were qualified. A streamlined service model can be created to provide SNAP enrollment assistance for needy families at VITA sites.

Conclusions/Implications: Our data shows considerable client needs for integrated social service for improved SNAP access and food security. While integrated social service may seem to be just a connection of different services from different organizations, it can be challenging since many agencies are already stretched thin to provide existing services. The integration is not a simple add-on to the groundwork of staff and volunteers. It requires design, training, and implementation at a higher (organizational/inter-organizational) level such that identifying a need and connecting it to service beyond what is sought by a client could become a formal process/practice. In this regard, every social service agency has the potential to become a gateway for families seeking any form of social assistance.