Integration of Services for Low-Income Families

GAO discussed its investigation of the status of integration of services for low-income families and states' views on actions needed to enhance such integration. GAO surveyed states' views on four types of service integration applicable to a variety of public assistance programs, including: (1) collocation of delivery units; (2) coapplication; (3) coeligibility determinations; and (4) single case managers. GAO noted that: (1) states reported substantial integration among the Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Medicaid, Food Stamp, and Emergency Assistance to Needy Families with Children programs, and lesser integration of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance and Section 8 Housing Assistance programs; (2) program differences and coordination problems at the federal level present obstacles to greater service integration; and (3) states believe that such actions as combining and simplifying program administration procedures, improving coordination among federal and legislative committees, and increasing funding for service integration can greatly enhance service integration. GAO suggested that actions which focus on target groups, analyze program differences, and identify options for standardizing or eliminating such differences can greatly enhance state service integration efforts.