Assessing the financial impact of federal benefit program enrollment on low–income households

Background: Link Health is a Boston-based non-profit leveraging in-person and digital platforms to promote health equity.Its primary aim is to financially support low-income individuals through enrollment in federal benefit programs.This study examines the monetary impact of enrollment through Link Health.Objective: We consider the effectiveness of several benefit programs in supporting low-income individuals with an emphasis on monetary value.Methods: Approximately 14,454 individuals have been screened for eligibility via digital outreach, community events, and in-person clinics.Enrollment and financial distributions were evaluated across programs, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), Lifeline, LIHEAP, transitional aid (TAFDC), and supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).Results: A total of 3028 individuals were successfully enrolled between November 2022 and January 2025, distributing over $3.4 million in aid.The largest contributors to this sum included: