News
Press Releases: Government to Citizen
October 18, 2004
GovBenefits.gov Joins Aaron, Ruth and Bonds by Scoring 712 Benefit Programs,Web site Helps Citizens Determine Possible Eligibility for Benefits
Washington D.C. - As baseball excitement soars with the start of the playoffs, the San Francisco GiantsÕ unsecured playoff spot has halted Barry BondsÕ home run battle for another season, but his record stands among the few truly elite who have reached 700 home runsÑHank Aaron, Babe Ruth and GovBenefits.gov. GovBenefits.gov hasnÕt been around as long as those legendary sluggers, but this websiteÕs 712 federal and state benefit programs are a home run for all citizens.
Since the site launched in April 2002, GovBenefits.gov has provided government benefit eligibility information to more than 13 million visitors. The Web site, managed by the U.S. Department of Labor, was established as part of the President's E-Government strategy to create a more accessible, citizen-oriented government. The site now features a total of 712 federal and state-administered benefit programs for seniors, students, children, prospective homeowners, entrepreneurs, caregivers, veterans, retirees, people with disabilities, farmers, ranchers and many more.
GovBenefits.gov scored this milestone by adding 194 new state- administered benefit programs to the site, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Low Income Home Energy Assistance and State Children's Health Insurance. Over the coming months, GovBenefits.gov will continue adding more state programs, such as Head Start; Home Energy Assistance (Weatherization); Special Milk; Summer Food; Women, Infants and Children; and School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.
"Hitting our milestone of 712 programs on GovBenefits.gov is a home run, but reaching our goal of making 1,000 federal and state benefit programs available through GovBenefits.gov will be a grand slam," said Patrick Pizzella, DOL assistant secretary for administration and management and chief information officer.
GovBenefits.gov is a collaboration of 10 federal agencies: the U.S. Departments of Labor (managing partner), Agriculture, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, State, Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.
GovBenefits.gov has been able to offer these new state programs with help from federal and state agencies. GovBenefits.gov has earned numerous awards from private industry and government organizations, including an Excellence.gov Award from the Industry Advisory Council and a Gracie Award for Excellence in Government Technology from Government Executive Magazine.
