NHSA’s Bridging the Gap Initiative aims to ensure that frontline workers know about, and have ready access to, earned benefits and other income supports beyond their paycheck – whether they’re tax credits, health insurance for children, or assistance with energy bills and groceries.

Earned benefits are a crucial way for lower-income workers and their families – or anyone struggling to cover basic expenses – to achieve financial stability by bridging the gap between their income and budgetary needs. This not only means they’re able to make ends meet, but it leads to greater personal, family, workplace, and community success as well.

To this end, the Bridging the Gap initiative will help our member’s HR and other key staff to connect their direct care teams with these vital benefits by providing them with the necessary resources and training.

With support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the National Human Services Assembly – in partnership with Catholic Charities USA, Lutheran Services of America, United Neighborhood Centers of America, and Volunteers of America – is leading the Bridging the Gap Initiative and the combined effort to support frontline human service workers and their families.

Bridging the Gap Basics

Find out more about the Bridging the Gap Initiative through our outreach materials or download them to help us spread the word!

The Bridging the Gap Initiative Has Officially Launched!
Download a customizable version of our launch announcement — which includes the first of our earned benefits “tips and tools” — to distribute in your workplace!

Overview of NHSA’s Bridging the Gap Initiative
For a quick overview of what we’re doing to support frontline human service workers and their families as well as why benefits access is vital for workplace success take a look at this one-pager.

NHSA’s Bridging the Gap Initiative Backgrounder
If you’d like to have a more detailed understanding of Bridging the Gap, our initiative backgrounder explores the many facets of our work – from what earned benefits are to where the initiative currently stands.

Bridging the Gap Initiative FAQs
Have a question about the initiative? Our FAQ document answers many of the common questions our members may have about what the initiative is, why it’s important for their organization, and how they can get involved.

Bridging the Gap Tips and Tools

Benefit Blasts

The earned benefit information in this section is designed to go out in email blasts and includes tips and helpful links for your HR team. Feel free to send the write-ups as is or customize them to best meet your organization’s needs. The important thing is just to get it out there and to start supporting your employees and workplace today!

Benefit Blast – Foreclosure Assistance

Benefit Blast – Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Benefit Blast – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Benefit Blast – Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly known as Food Stamps)

Eligibility Screening Tools and Enrollment Centers

Check back soon to learn about some of the nation’s leading eligibility tools and enrollment centers!