Single Stop USA utilizes cutting edge technology solutions and comprehensive wrap-around human services on the front lines of the fight against intergenerational poverty. Using the Benefits Enrollment Network, Single Stop builds the capacity of its partners, creates efficiencies in the field, and helps students and families access billions of dollars in life-changing benefits and services, putting them on the path towards economic mobility.

The Benefits Enrollment Network (BEN) is a groundbreaking Web-based technology solution that simplifies, accelerates and streamlines the savings-assistance and benefits enrollment processes for low and moderate-income students and families. Defined by an intuitive user interface, BEN is fully integrated with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, an enterprise-class, comprehensive case management system. BEN is a unique and adaptable software solution and has been used in a variety of contexts including benefits screening, asset building, college aid guidance, corporate benefits bundling and low-cost life insurance screening.

BEN is one of the leading benefits screening technologies in the country. A detailed assessment of the platform conducted by a third party expert technology consultant and an independent evaluation found it to be the superior technology of its kind. In addition, BEN has been recognized by Microsoft as a ‘Showcase Application (a designation awarded to just 20 organizations worldwide on an annual basis) and has been featured in numerous pilots with partners including the Brookings Institution, Harvard University, the MIT Poverty Lab and the Cal Berkeley Food Stamp Research Project (organized and lead by Peter Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Obama). In 2007 BEN was the first technology platform to deliver a biometric, electronically-signed Food Stamp application to a government agency and was utilized in a promising research project funded by the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation, “Increasing College Enrollment among Low and Moderate-Income Families”, aimed at improving information and access to financial aid for students.

For Single Stop and its partners, BEN facilitates integration and coordination across multiple sites and agencies, increasing the reach and impact of our work. At the same time, BEN facilitates engagement, cooperation and data exchange with government partners and presents a range of unique and scalable solutions with the potential to reach millions of people. With the highest level of automated efficiency, functionality and security, BEN bridges critical gaps in service delivery and enhances the capacity of its national network of users to serve clients more efficiently, more accurately and more effectively.

With BEN, Single Stop has access to sophisticated client tracking and reports that support both the provision of direct services and our ability to leverage large-scale policy change.

Specifically, BEN offers:

• Comprehensive screening capacity;
• The flexibility to capture and store client data across multiple sites to facilitate interagency referrals, and ensure the provision of comprehensive, holistic services;
• The ability to complete and submit applications electronically, which includes the ability to digitally scan and sign supporting documentation
• The ability to electronically file federal student aid forms;
• aAdditional client services through linkages to banking products and health insurance plans.
• Logical tracking, case management, customizable reporting and logical client flow:

By linking clients with benefits screening, comprehensive social services, legal counseling, financial counseling and free tax preparation, Single Stop equips students and families with the tools they need to move towards economic mobility.