Labor Department Launches Web Site to Help Individuals Determine Eligibility for Federal Benefit Programs
The Labor Department Tuesday launched GovBenefits, a Web site that informs individuals about whether they may qualify for some federal benefit programs, including health insurance programs, the Washington Post reports. The site provides descriptions and contact information for programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP but does not allow individuals to verify eligibility or enroll in the programs online. Individuals who use the Web site provide personal information, and the site lists federal programs for which they may qualify but does not guarantee the accuracy of the response. GovBenefits does not ask for names or Social Security numbers. The Web site provides links to 55 federal programs, and Labor Department officials plan to expand the site to cover about 300 programs. The department also plans to provide information about state and local programs on the Web site, Deputy Labor Secretary Cameron Findlay said. The Labor Department developed the site with the White House Office of Management and Budget at a cost of about $1 million (Zanko, Washington Post, 4/30).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.