Removing Barriers to Government Benefits: Link Health’s Role in Advancing Health Equity Through Expanded Enrollment

Objectives. To evaluate Link Health’s role in improving federal benefit program enrollment by analyzing application trends and impact from 2022-2024. Methods. Link Health connects eligible populations to federal benefits through in-person and remote methods. Using data from clinics in Massachusetts and Texas and remote sign-ups, we analyze enrollment trends, funding disbursed, and demographics. Results. From 2022-2024, Link Health supported 2,362 applicants, disbursing over $2.8 million to eligible families. Application methods differed significantly by language (𝛸2=97.4, P<0.001, v=0.4), age (W=589819, P=0.03, r=0.05), state (𝛸2=11.5, P<0.001, v=0.1), and race (𝛸2=138.1, P<0.001). Conclusions. By providing multiple enrollment options, Link Health is able to engage diverse groups, including those who might otherwise face challenges with traditional enrollment processes. This flexibility ensures broader accessibility and inclusion, ultimately reducing barriers and improving service reach for populations that may be difficult to engage through a single method. In the context of diminishing federal support and the postpandemic benefits cliff era, organizations like Link Health are critical to help individuals access such resources, which provide support across a range of health determinants. Policy Implications. Targeted, community-based enrollment models like Link Health’s could be applied to enhance access to vital resources across the country.