What agencies provide income support services in rural communities?
State, county and local health and human service agencies provide program information and eligibility criteria and also conduct client intake and assessment related to welfare, Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Caseworkers and other agency staff can also provide referrals to supportive services such as transportation and child care. Since TANF recipients are required to participate in work related activities or find work within a specific time frame (that varies at the local level), agency staff can also provide referrals to local job search, placement and training. Because many rural agencies serve relatively low caseloads, staff are more likely to have personal relationships with their clients and can use these relationships to identify specific needs and provide appropriately targeted services on a case-by-case basis.
