A model for integrating public benefit navigation into health systems in the United States
1
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States
2
A Healthier Democracy, Boston, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Participation in public benefit programs supports key social determinants of health (SDOH), including food security, housing stability, and childcare access; however, administrative complexity and fragmented eligibility systems hinder enrollment¹⁻³. In response, Link Health, a nonprofit addressing gaps in benefit access, developed a navigator model to simplify enrollment and improve participation⁴. By framing administrative burden as a systemic barrier to SDOH interventions, Link Health offers a framework adaptable to other countries facing similar enrollment challenges.
METHODS:
Link Health established partnerships with benefit offices, healthcare clinics, and community centers before deploying trained navigators to assist patients. Navigators used a five-question screener to assess eligibility for nine benefit programs, including food, childcare, and broadband assistance. Eligible clients then received end-to-end application support through a centralized dashboard. Program data from January 2023 to December 2025 in Massachusetts and Texas were analyzed to evaluate implementation and enrollment outcomes. A remote application pilot was also implemented to reach individuals outside clinic settings, enabling enrollment in three programs: WIC, SNAP, and Lifeline.
RESULTS:
5876 individuals were screened across nine programs, resulting in 5778 program completions and the distribution of over US$5.45 million in aid. The most frequently accessed programs included Lifeline (3737 completions), ACP (1086), SNAP (285), and WIC (181). The remote pipeline screened 416 individuals and distributed US$4662 in aid.
CONCLUSIONS:
By simplifying enrollment processes, Link Health’s model improves participation in benefit programs that directly influence SDOH and strengthens the effectiveness of social protection systems. This model underscores the value of intersectoral collaboration, linking healthcare delivery, social policy, and digital inclusion. The remote application pathway illustrates the model’s capacity to reach individuals in digitally connected but resource-limited settings. This framework advances SDG 3 and SDG 10 by integrating social protection with healthcare and ensuring equitable access to health determinants⁵.
Participation in public benefit programs supports key social determinants of health (SDOH), including food security, housing stability, and childcare access; however, administrative complexity and fragmented eligibility systems hinder enrollment¹⁻³. In response, Link Health, a nonprofit addressing gaps in benefit access, developed a navigator model to simplify enrollment and improve participation⁴. By framing administrative burden as a systemic barrier to SDOH interventions, Link Health offers a framework adaptable to other countries facing similar enrollment challenges.
METHODS:
Link Health established partnerships with benefit offices, healthcare clinics, and community centers before deploying trained navigators to assist patients. Navigators used a five-question screener to assess eligibility for nine benefit programs, including food, childcare, and broadband assistance. Eligible clients then received end-to-end application support through a centralized dashboard. Program data from January 2023 to December 2025 in Massachusetts and Texas were analyzed to evaluate implementation and enrollment outcomes. A remote application pilot was also implemented to reach individuals outside clinic settings, enabling enrollment in three programs: WIC, SNAP, and Lifeline.
RESULTS:
5876 individuals were screened across nine programs, resulting in 5778 program completions and the distribution of over US$5.45 million in aid. The most frequently accessed programs included Lifeline (3737 completions), ACP (1086), SNAP (285), and WIC (181). The remote pipeline screened 416 individuals and distributed US$4662 in aid.
CONCLUSIONS:
By simplifying enrollment processes, Link Health’s model improves participation in benefit programs that directly influence SDOH and strengthens the effectiveness of social protection systems. This model underscores the value of intersectoral collaboration, linking healthcare delivery, social policy, and digital inclusion. The remote application pathway illustrates the model’s capacity to reach individuals in digitally connected but resource-limited settings. This framework advances SDG 3 and SDG 10 by integrating social protection with healthcare and ensuring equitable access to health determinants⁵.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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