Joe Fleischman
The idea behind the site -- said Fleischman in his presentation at the Government Technology Conference in Albany, N.Y., today -- is not to replace a formal application process, but to allow people to answer a few questions and find out for which programs they might qualify. A client is never told they do not qualify, said Fleischman, only about those programs for which they are likely to qualify. In fact, the site is careful to say that this is not a formal application, and cannot replace that process. All use is anonymous, unless the user decides to create an account. when an account is created, all information is purged after 60 days.
Robert Mastro, deputy commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, pointed out that the client-entered information must all be validated before eligibility can be determined. That is not something that is done through ACCESS NYC.
Fleischman said the program will screen for over 20 programs. Users can do a ZIP code search for the nearest offices, print out partially filled application forms, and become more knowledgeable about the various programs.
Step one the process is answering eight high-level questions, with rules running for all programs. Step two is a broader screening process. The pilot was run in a food stamp office and in public housing. If someone came in to an office for food stamps, a worker would say they could fill out a paper application, or they could do it though the system, and find out about eligibility for other programs. Two hundred people used the pilot system over a six-week period. Of those who opted to use the pilot system, only 6 percent said they had no Internet access. The system is ADA, HIPAA and Bobby compliant, said Fleischman.
New York City's 311 public information system will refer questioners to the system as well.
