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The Center for Benefits & Services offers three-hour workshops on a full range of government programs and publicly subsidized housing, geared to the social service professional. Standard workshops provide the participants with the opportunity to apply knowledge through case examples and question & answer. Participants receive an easy-to-follow workbook complete with listings of local government offices, valuable resources, advocacy tips and more. We also offer specialized topics in which our customers indicate an interest, many of these are conducted by attorneys who specialize in the field. Workshop fees are $40 per person. For a complete list of upcoming workshops, visit our Site Downloads section to the right.The Center for Benefits and Services (CBS)
invite you to attend the
Fall 2010 Training Series
invite you to attend the
Fall 2010 Training Series
All trainings are held at 105 East 22nd Street, 4th Floor
Doors open at 9 a.m., refreshments are served. Workshops begin at 9:30 a.m.
Doors open at 9 a.m., refreshments are served. Workshops begin at 9:30 a.m.
How the workshops are conducted: The training will provide opportunities to apply knowledge through case examples and question and answer. Participants will receive an easy-to-follow workbook for use when working with clients.
REGISTER ONLINE
FALL 2010 WORKSHOPS:
September 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
CBS Open House
105 East 22nd Street, Conference Room 4ASpeaker (s): Center for Benefits and Services Staff
Fee: Free
Come learn about the Center for Benefits and Services! Learn about our trainings and available discounts. Find out about our Benefits Plus Learning Hub, free resources to help you in your client work, including our popular Food Stamp calculator, benefit tools such as our documentation guides on public benefits, applications for public benefits online and more! Learn about the 4th edition of our comprehensive benefits manual, Benefits Plus and how to sign up for free access. Participants at our open house will have a chance to win a free one year subscription of Benefits Plus and a chance at winning a copy of the 5th edition of the Basic Guide to Services and Community Resources in NYC.
Overview of the Government Benefit System
Speaker (s): Leslie Boutin and Mercedes Eustache, Community Service SocietyDesigned for the social service provider new to the complex world of public benefits, this workshop reviews the distinction between needs-based and insurance-based benefits, discusses key concepts such as income, resources, work history, category, and immigration status requirements, and introduces several major benefit programs including Cash Assistance, SSI, and Social Security benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus and Food Stamps. We will also discuss how benefits are administered and accessed. Case examples and practical advocacy tips are included.
Date: Tuesday, September 14th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Medicaid Part One: Eligibility and Application
Speaker (s): Diane Wenzler and Santa Soriano, Community Service SocietyLearn the fundamentals of the Community Medicaid Program. You will learn Medicaid’s eligibility rules and will be able to identify the Medicaid categories which are key to eligibility, identify various avenues to apply for Medicaid in the community, and how to maintain ongoing eligibility. Also included are strategies and techniques to navigate the Medicaid system in order to advocate effectively when clients experience common challenges with the Medicaid system.
Date: Wednesday, September 22nd
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Medicaid Part Two: Navigating the Spenddown Program
Speaker (s): Diane Wenzler and Santa Soriano, Community Service SocietyIf you have difficulty helping your clients access Medicaid’s spenddown program (also known as the Excess Income Program), this workshop will help you. All aspects of the spenddown program will be reviewed, including who is eligible for the spenddown program, how to figure out the spenddown amount, the difference between the medical bills system and the pay-in program, how to get hospital services through the program, and more.
Note: Knowledge of Medicaid eligibility and application is required.
Date: Wednesday, September 29th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
October 2010
Cash Assistance Part One: Eligibility and Application
Speaker (s): Leslie Boutin and Santa Soriano, Community Service SocietyLearn the basics of the Cash Assistance (CA) program including how the CA grant is structured, how the benefit amount is calculated, and how it is issued. Learn how to prepare your clients for the application process and the on-going reporting requirements needed to maintain CA benefits. This training is designed to provide strategies and techniques the social service provider can use to advocate effectively when clients experience common challenges in the CA system. Also included are comprehensive tools and resources to help assess and understand Cash assistance rules and guidelines.
Date: Wednesday, October 6th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Training on Benefits Plus
Speaker (s): Center for Benefits and Services StaffBenefits Plus (previously the PBRC Manual) is the premier guide for advocates and social service professionals on government benefit programs in NYC. Often called the “bible” of public benefit programs, Benefits Plus is a comprehensive manual on federal, NYS and NYC government benefit programs and services. On March 15th CBS launched the online version of Benefits Plus. You will learn how to subscribe, access information, what new features are available, learn about our Food Stamp calculator, and more!
Date: Wednesday, October 6th
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fee: Free
Supplemental Security Income & Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
Speaker (s): Leslie Boutin and Diane Wenzler, Community Service SocietyTo be an effective advocate it is important to understand the distinction between SSI and SSDI. This training highlights the differences between the two programs and teaches advocates how the programs interact with each other. You will gain insight into the eligibility criteria for both SSI and SSDI, understand the ongoing requirements for maintaining the benefits and learn the type of health insurance recipients receive with each benefit.
Date: Wednesday October 13th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Transition to Work Provisions for SSI & SSDI Recipients
Speaker (s): Leslie Boutin and Diane Wenzler, Community Service SocietyMany individuals want to work but are unsure how earnings will affect their SSI or SSDI benefit. You will learn how an SSI or SSDI recipient’s benefit will be affected when making the transition to work, including how to determine break-even points for SSI earnings, what happens when an SSDI recipient enters and ends a trial work period, and what an extended period of eligibility is. We will also cover how earnings impact Medicaid and Medicare, and more.
Note: Knowledge of basic eligibility for SSI and SSDI is required.
Date: Wednesday, October 27th
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Fee: $40.00
November 2010
Food Stamps Part One: Eligibility and Application
Speaker (s): Leslie Boutin and Mercedes Eustache, Community Service SocietyFood Stamp rules are often misunderstood, resulting in entitled households losing out on benefits. This workshop will focus on determining eligibility for Food Stamps and doing an actual Food Stamp budget. We will review Food Stamps’ gross and net income tests to determine eligibility, including special deductions and budgeting considerations for the elderly and disabled, and work requirements.
Date: Wednesday, November 3rd
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Training on Benefits Plus
Speaker (s): Center for Benefits and Services StaffBenefits Plus (previously the PBRC Manual) is the premier guide for advocates and social service professionals on government benefit programs in NYC. Often called the “bible” of public benefit programs, Benefits Plus is a comprehensive manual on federal, NYS and NYC government benefit programs and services. On March 15th CBS launched the online version of Benefits Plus. You will learn how to subscribe, access information, what new features are available, learn about our Food Stamp calculator, and more!
Date: Wednesday, November 3rd
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fee: Free
Cash Assistance Part Two: Budgeting for Complex Households
Speaker (s): Leslie Boutin and Diane Wenzler, Community Service SocietyClient cases are often complicated when households are not the typical single parent with a minor child. Learn about mandatory filing units and recent changes in who must be included in the filing unit. Learn how to budget income for households with SSI members, three-generation households, and relative caretaker/stepparents caring for minor children. This workshop will also cover minors' eligibility for benefits and practical solutions for the advocate.
Note: Knowledge of Cash Assistance eligibility and application is required.
Date: Wednesday, November 10th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
Food Stamps Part Two: Program Requirements
Speaker (s): Leslie Boutin and Diane Wenzler, Community Service SocietyUnderstanding the program requirements for Food Stamps is essential in maintaining eligibility for the benefit. Learn about Food Stamps’ work requirements, time limits for able body adults without dependents, and finger imaging. You will also learn how food stamps treats college students, strikers, and those who pay/collect child support. And we will review the sanction and overpayment process.
Note: Knowledge of Food Stamps eligibility and application is required.
Date: Wednesday, November 17th
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $40.00
How to Register:
For Questions regarding trainings:
CBS Trainings:
Migdalia Molina
212.614.5497
Fall 2010 Training Series