A tool in North Carolina is connecting people with the public benefits they may not know they're eligible for.

MyFriendBen NC was developed by nonprofit Code the Dream. Its co-executive director, Dan Rearick, said $80 billion in benefits go unclaimed by eligible families each year.

To use the tool, Rearick said, people only need to input basic information such as their family's income and household expenses.

"MyFriendBen NC is a free, one-stop benefits eligibility screener," he said. "It take six minutes and doesn't require any personal information. At the end, you get a personalized report outlining the benefits you're likely eligible for and how much they could mean to your family specifically."

Rearick said the tool is designed for anyone and could be especially beneficial for parents and older adults. MyFriendBen identifies state and federal benefits and tax credits.

Rearick said the first 20,000 people to use it found an average of $2,000 per month in eligible assistance for their families. He said the number of benefits available can be overwhelming for some, and this tool has changed their money situation.

"Many of them have just come back to us and said that it's a lifesaver," he said. "It's the first time that they've been able to cover their medical bills, for example."

Rearick said public benefits are crucial for many families, adding that if benefits programs were fully funded and families received all of the benefits they're eligible for, child poverty could be cut in half.

"It's really not just about those short-term needs," he said. "The evidence shows that families who are able to access these benefits end up with better education outcomes and better jobs moving forward."

Source: Public News Service