Gov. Wes Moore announced a new mobile-friendly tool to help Marylanders access benefits like SNAP, WIC, and OHEP more easily.Maryland’s United Benefits Screener is a joint initiative between the Maryland Departments of Human Services, Health, and Information Technology.The new screener allows residents to easily check their eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Emergency Assistance, Women Infants and Children (WIC), and Home Energy Assistance Program (OHEP) benefits. It is Maryland’s first interagency tool developed with people and their cell phones in mind.“Our administration is committed to sweating the details of governing and implementing common sense solutions that make life better for Marylanders,” Moore said. “In partnership, we are helping more families access essential services and building a government that serves the people.”Users only need to enter basic, non-identifying information to find out the potential benefits for which they or a family member might be eligible. The tool asks questions about household size, basic income, expenses, and disability status, and if the user is found eligible for benefits, they are encouraged to apply for them.No documentation or account is required. The process takes roughly five minutes, and can be completed on a smartphone, laptop, or library computer.“The Unified Benefits Screener is a testament to statewide partnership, engineering, and human-centered design,” said Katie Savage, secretary for the Maryland Department of Information Technology. “It’s a big step forward that will help us serve more Marylanders.”A comprehensive, united benefits application is scheduled for release in 2025, and this new screener is a significant step towards that milestone. Eventually, Marylanders will be able to apply for all benefits on a single application instead of applying for each benefit individually. This technology supports that, simplifying the benefits application process. “The Unified Benefits Screener is a simple idea that people shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the help they need,” said Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, secretary of Maryland Department of Health Secretary. “Yet, time and again, we saw Marylanders, hardworking families, parents, and individuals getting caught in a system that felt overwhelming and complicated. That’s not how it should be. We are excited about the opportunity for customers to have a more comprehensive understanding of what benefits they are eligible for and readily apply.”This strategic agency collaboration should continue to make it easier for Maryland residents to apply for, receive, and manage their benefits and access to services they need.